Cultural identity and orientation

unit-design has developed a comprehensive orientation system for visitors and residents in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, which includes not only all foreign diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia but also large residential areas and shopping malls. The distinctive design of this system helps the district to have a visual identity and thereby present itself to the outside world.

The project involved an entirely new set of road signs as well as special embassy signage. unit-design devised both of these using customized 2D and 3D design, all of it in two languages (Arabic and English). The objective was to use contemporary design to bring together the local cultural features and the international outlook of the district.

 

 

 

 

 

Construction of the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh was based on a master plan by Albert Speer & Partner from 1978. An international group of planners led by Albert Speer & Partner conducted a thorough planning review starting in 2005 to take into account the new requirements that had arisen in the interim.