The new Riyadh Metro, which will go into operation on December 1, 2024, is set to be one of the most ambitious infrastructures in the Middle East. With a network spanning more than 176 km over 6 lines and 85 stations, it’s currently the most extensive driverless transportation system in the world. Designed to service up to 3.6 million passengers per day, this network aims to meet the mobility needs of an expanding city by reducing road congestion and promoting sustainable alternatives to the private car. Among its most iconic stations is the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
Located in the city's financial district, the KAFD station is a strategic node that connects 6 rail platforms across 4 levels with other modes of transportation, including buses, park and ride lots, and the local monorail. This multimodal approach reflects planning designed to facilitate daily mobility in a city defined by long distances and heavy traffic. The project is notable for its attention to the organization of pedestrian and vehicular flows, with spaces designed to avoid congestion and improve the user experience.
Architecturally, the station fits into the urban context with a high-performing concrete façade, equipped with geometric perforations. These openings, inspired by traditional elements of local architecture, just like brise-soleils, offer protection from the sun and promote natural ventilation without resorting to excessive or energy-intensive solutions. The effect is functional and easily distinguishable from the surrounding desert landscape, with a clear intention to evoke the textures and dynamics created by the wind on the sand. The shape of the building also reflects the analysis of the internal traffic flows, translated into a three-dimensional grid composed of sine waves, which organize and optimize the internal routes.
Zaha Hadid Architects vaunts extensive experience in designing public infrastructure, which is reflected in the Naples Afragola station and the Salerno Maritime Terminal. In the KAFD station, the design approach also integrates elements of sustainability and functionality with an architectural language sparking dialogues with the local context. The goal is not only to create an efficient transit point, but also to provide a space that contributes to overall urban quality.
The focus on sustainability is made clear in the technological and engineering choices. The cooling system uses renewable sources and is automatically adjusted according to passenger inflow, while sliding panels installed on the platforms reduce the dispersion of fresh air. Thanks to these solutions, the station has achieved LEED Gold certification, demonstrating how energy efficiency can be integrated within a complex infrastructure.
In designing the KAFD Metro Station, Zaha Hadid Architects also worked to optimize construction processes, simplifying the structure without sacrificing spatial quality. The self-supporting façade integrates with the internal structural system, creating a continuity between form and function that defines the entire building. This focus on practicality, however, does nothing to subtract from the visual impact of the work, standing out in the urban landscape without overpowering it.
Here, the KAFD Metro Station offers a balanced view of what an infrastructure can represent: a functional element, but also a space that interacts with the urban and cultural fabric. It’s not just a place of passage, but an example of how design can contribute to improving the urban experience, meeting practical needs without forgetting the social and environmental context into which it fits.
