The site of the new residential complex to be developed by JSWD is located in the heart of the capital. The winning proposal for the «Riymar Towers» was selected by the developers for its approach, inspired by the imposing Tuwaiq mountain range and Riyadh's vernacular architectural traditions, combined with a contemporary and ambitious vision.
The site benefits from exceptional connectivity, thanks to King Fahd Road, Olaya Street, and its proximity to a metro station. The project creates a sculptural composition through the horizontal stacking of planes that evoke ancient geological formations. The tectonic character of the proposal contrasts with the terraced gardens, recalling the image of vertically stacked oases. Its geometry and textures reference the adobe buildings of historic Diriyah and At-Turaif, the birthplace of modern Saudi Arabia.
View of the “Riymar Towers” pool, courtesy of Riymar Real Estate and Malcolm Reading Consultants. Rendering by JSWD.
The winning team—selected from five finalists, including Aedas (UAE), AtkinsRéalis (UAE), JSWD (Germany), Mesura (Spain), and ZHA Architects (UK)—rose to the challenge of creating an attractive and distinctive addition to the urban skyline of central Riyadh. In doing so, the project contributes to the city’s profound transformation under the "Vision 2030" framework, fostering culture, hospitality, and tourism, while also facilitating home ownership for Saudi citizens and helping to establish the capital as a world-leading city.
"Selecting the winner of our international architectural competition marks a significant milestone for RIYMAR Real Estate. JSWD has successfully captured our vision for the RIYMAR Towers: a distinctive landmark rooted in the history and identity of Riyadh. All five finalists brought great energy and creativity to the competition, for which we are very grateful. We now look forward to working with JSWD to further develop this architectural concept and create a spectacular new project for future generations."
Dr Bassam Boodai, Executive Director of RIYMAR Real Estate
“We thank all the shortlisted teams for their hard work and creativity. We sought the best talent globally for this flagship RIYMAR initiative, and the JSWD team proved capable of meeting the organization’s ambitions. Riyadh has generated more jobs in recent years than any other city in the world, and its transformation demands exceptional, highly connected spaces where people can live, work, and relax.”
Malcolm Reading LVO, Director of Competitions at Malcolm Reading Consultants
View of the lobby of the Riymar Towers, courtesy of Riymar Real Estate and Malcolm Reading Consultants. Rendering by JSWD.
According to the jury, JSWD's project was praised for its comprehensive approach to the built environment, combining functionality and aesthetics with a deep understanding of cultural heritage. Recent projects by the winning firm include the extension of Brühl's City Hall and Municipal Library — praised for its distinctive materiality, bridging history and modern architecture — sustainable assisted living residences in Zurich, a new childcare centre for the Med Campus at Kepler University Hospital in Linz, Austria, and the recently completed Schwarz Digits Campus in southern Germany.
