Many UK architects are finding work opportunities in Saudi Arabia where there are plenty of job openings. But what factors should architects think about when deciding whether to work there? Social media reactions to news about Foster + Partners’ involvement in a proposed 2km-tall tower in Riyadh and it was mostly negative.
Some criticized the project as unsustainable and questioned its evacuation plans for such a tall tower. Others raised ethical concerns. But many people simply wondered: Why? Why build a carbon-heavy skyscraper in a city with plenty of available land? And why would Foster + Partners take on such a project?
Foster + Partners’ towering desert project has sparked debates but it is not the only firm working on large projects in Saudi Arabia. Many are attracted by the country’s abundant petrodollars, including retired Premier League footballers and an increasing number of UK architects participating in Saudi Arabia’s monumental 2030 vision development initiative. They often keep their involvement low-key.
British architects are involved in various projects in Saudi Arabia; from the controversial NEOM “giga-project” and the linear city The Line to resort developments, downtown projects, beach resorts, and desert cities. In the wider Gulf region, there has been a significant increase in revenue for firms like Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) from work in the Middle East.
Doing business in Saudi Arabia is known for its treatment of women, free speech advocates, the LGBTQ+ community, and other minorities, raises ethical concerns. Many UK architects choose not to work in Saudi Arabia due to these concerns.
So, why are so many UK architects accepting work in Saudi Arabia now? What should they consider morally and financially before making this decision? Some large UK firms have been working in the Middle East remotely for years but are now establishing a presence in Saudi Arabia.
Various firms, including Weston Williamson + Partners’ owner, Egis, and Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), are involved in projects like NEOM’s Spine and Trojena ski resort. Although many firms are entering the Saudi market, some smaller UK practices are also being approached for projects.
