Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Project
Al-Hair Lake Development Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Site Position
24°22’41.76” N 46°54’01.41´E
Key Features:
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An area south of Riyadh, which recieves all the treated waste water from the city - about 560ML a day. The development sought to create a combination of amenties and conservation in the area, including two large lakes as habitat for flora and fauna. The project extends over 3600ha, and encompasses four distinct microclimates: - Desert escarpment, Desert wadi (ravines), Acaia thicket and riparian. Within this, there is tremendous variation in prevailing conditions and planting palettes. The topography ranges from craggy mountains, to flat escarpments and into ravines and lake areas.
Consultant Team:
Project Manager: Engineers:
Bernard Gruppe Burro Happold/Bernard Gruppe
Landscape Architects
Boedeker Partners Contractor:
Badan
Completion Date:
Est. Phase 1 May 2015
Budget:
Phase 1 US$ 55 mil
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Concept Sketches
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A large componenet of my work was to proactively design elements of the landscape which required interventions in order to make them work more efficiently within the project as a whole. Rather than spending large amounts of time on these concepts, I tended to do them pretty quickly using sketches over printed contour or layout plans, which I then rendered up and labeled. If the idea was met with a positive response, it went onto design development.
sketch proposal for dune interface with storm water detention basin Concept to keep clean water separate from dirty wadi water.
Car Park design at start of pedestrian trails
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project
A sketched proposal of how the end of the crescent wall could be terminated into the adjacent embankment
Sketch of a Storm-surge pond to manage run off from a large roadway
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project
Lookout Point proposal sketches
Parking area
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Initial design sketches for proposed piaza area at The Visitor’s Centre. The design was intended to reconcile height differences and create a viewing platform across the lake.
sketch design of ramp from upper parking area to Visitor’s Centre.
sketch design of ramp from upper parking area to Visitor’s Centre.
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project A proposal for water edge planting
A sketch for scour protection in roadways A rough sketch of an area for boats to tie up on the islands Spatial study of a late idea to include a footpath into an existing roadway.
Spatial study of a floodzone proposal along a new channelt o be constructed
Current Project- Al Hayr Project Saudi Arabia Concept models
Another technique used for perspectives is to produce a quick Sketchup model and then render tand label that. Once again, if successful, the idea is developed in greater detail and submitted for pricing by the contractor Turning Circle concepts. There are a number of traffic circles to be developed within the project. A plan for the treatment of the cenetrs of the island was needed. A basic concept was quickly agreed, and these sketches were variations on that theme.
Image bottom right explains the concept of a cattle grid to be used at the gateways
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Concept models
Visitor’s center Concept model
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Concept models
Mixed medium studies of design solutions for routing the river around the back of the Visitor’s Center, to solve a problem with poor water quality. A number of options were explored before one was finlly selected.
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Hand Sketches of landscaping proposals, for early discussion purposes. If approved, they were advanced to technical drawing stage, and then constructed.
Landscape design at Toilet Block 2
Car Park design at Toilet Block 4
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Photo Montages
Photomontage of proposed landscape interventions such as paving finishes and gateways to the development. These directly informed the client’s decision.
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Assorted media
Other design suggestions, offered for discussion, such as bridges and water edge treatments
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Photos
Lookout points on escarpment area, with a view over the lake area. The strong use of horizontal line was used to blend the rockwork into the existing hillsides
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Photos
The test plant area in the river where different species are tested for feasibility under the adverse growing conditions. The high salt content and hot dry winds have proven more than many of the species could manage. Managing the fluctuatiing water level also proved challenging, as it moved throughout the day. The stone weir (pictured left) resolved the issue.
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Photos
Views of the lakes area, with visitor’s areas and canal. Limestone adds a softness and organic feeling to the area that might otherwise be too hard with sharp edges.
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Photos
The site is varied with escarpment, shady Acacia wadi and riparian areas. The diversity of flora and fauna continues to develop on the site as the ecosystem develops.
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Photos
Views of the escarpment area, with picnic areas and pathways. Limestone is used extensively in the hard landscaping. The beauty of the limestone is that it weathers quickly and blends into the landscape.
Saudi Arabia - Al Hayr Project Photos
Views of the escarpment area, with picnic areas and pathways. Limestone is used extensively in the hard landscaping for both structural and aesthetic purposes.