Designing The New Normal

SNC Lavalin’s Atkins Architect, Salim Hussain talks about the evolution of design in Saudi Arabia

- Salim Hussain

When we look at the world’s best cities, we look at a range of factors. Melbourne, Vienna and Vancouver consistently come out on top because of their excellent infrastructure, culture, education and environment. The physical environment is connected to the touch points of people’s lifestyle in a meaningful and beneficial way. So, when it comes to designing the cities of the future, and ensuring they flourish, we can engineer a ‘new normal’ by taking influence from these case studies and future proofing the new environments for future generations to enjoy.

These new environments are being realised when it comes to the transformation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Vision2030, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is accelerating the development of the country at pace. When it comes to the built environment, Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly becoming more sophisticated. Driven by the vision of His Royal Majesty, the growing voice of the younger generations and external forces, Saudi Arabia has reached a pivotal moment where the very essence of what ‘normal’ looks like is being redefined. The broad changes that the country is undergoing are most immediately apparent in the physical environment.