Find an architect

The Desert Rose

Project Details

£10m to £49.99M

New Build

Practice

Debbie Flevotomou Architects Ltd

Berkeley Square House , Berkeley Square , LONDON , W1J 6BD

The Desert Rose — Saudi Arabia (Energy-Positive Cultural Destination) Service provided. We delivered full concept design and environmental strategy for an iconic civic and cultural hub shaped by our THINK NATURE® methodology. The scheme combines parametric/biophilic design, kinetic architecture (a rotating dome with mechanised “petal” elements), and a climate-responsive façade to serve a Grand Auditorium, secondary auditoria, galleries/museum, education spaces, F&B and public realm. Scope. Concept architecture and structural/ façade concept Parametric rule-sets for massing, solar gain and adaptive shading PV-integrated roof/“petal” system and mixed-mode ventilation Early-stage energy modelling for Red Sea (Saudi Arabia) conditions Regenerative design benchmarking and multi-disciplinary coordination Performance (Saudi climate). Energy use: modelled EUI ˜ 84 kWh/m²·yr over ~11,000 m² ? ~1.14 GWh/yr (including ~0.22 GWh/yr for petal movement). On-site generation: PV sized at ~670 kWp, yielding ~1.34 GWh/yr in Red Sea conditions. Net result: ~0.20 GWh/yr surplus exported to the grid or used on site (e.g., EV charging) — a net-positive energy building with net-negative operational carbon. Water & resilience. The concept integrates atmospheric water-generation and night-time moisture harvesting within the kinetic façade strategy, alongside passive cooling, shading and thermal-mass measures to cut peak loads and enhance guest comfort. Outcome. A landmark Saudi destination that converts environmental performance into visitor experience and operating value—an energy-positive, climate-responsive cultural asset designed to support tourism and community programming along the coastline.