London-based architecture and design practice Heatherwick Studio has unveiled its design for an astrotourism visitor centre and wider masterplan in the desert landscape of north-west Saudi Arabia, near the ancient city of AlUla.
The project, named AlUla Manara, is conceived as a destination for dark-sky tourism and astronomical research, bringing visitors and scientists together within a shared environment focused on observation, learning, and the surrounding desert landscape.
Heatherwick Studio’s design was selected by the Royal Commission for AlUla following an international competition, placing it within the region’s ongoing cultural and tourism development programme.
Visitor centre integrates exhibition and research facilities
Located within an area recently designated as one of the first Dark Sky Parks in the region, the project functions as both a visitor attraction and a working research site. It combines exhibition spaces, a planetarium, a restaurant, and a rooftop observation deck with facilities intended for scientific study. The proposal also includes areas where ongoing astronomical research can be observed as part of the visitor experience.
AlUla Manara is conceived as a composition of interlocking tubular forms inspired by spiral geometries found in galaxies and natural systems. These volumes are expressed in textured stone, referencing the surrounding sandstone landscape of AlUla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Integrated shading systems and operable openings allow the building to respond to desert conditions, regulating daylight while preserving conditions for night-time sky observation, and framing views of the surrounding terrain and sky.
Masterplan expands into lodges, pods, and stargazing infrastructure
The wider masterplan extends beyond the central building to include accommodation, a stargazing lodge, and remote pods designed for uninterrupted night-sky observation. It also connects with nearby hiking routes, integrating the development into the broader desert landscape.
Additional elements of the plan include new telescopes positioned near the visitor centre to support scientific research and take advantage of the region’s notably clear night skies. The development forms part of a wider ambition to position AlUla as a centre for astronomy research and public engagement with science.
Images: Courtesy of NOD and Brick
