Close

Building Heritage

Asaan, the Misk Heritage Museum Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects Breaks Ground in Diriyah

Construction has officially begun on Asaan, the Misk Heritage Museum in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia – a landmark cultural institution dedicated to preserving the nation’s rich heritage while fostering a contemporary dialogue around creativity and knowledge-sharing. Meaning ‘inheritance passed down through generations’, Asaan is a project anchored in deep historical roots, named to reflect its core mission. 

Located in the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district, which is considered the birthplace of the Saudi nation; Asaan is a cornerstone of the Diriyah Gate masterplan, an ambitious initiative that aims to create a walkable, climate-resilient city rooted in heritage. The museum is supported by the Misk Foundation, a non-profit organisation devoted to cultivating leadership and creativity among Saudi youth.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Asaan is the firm’s first project constructed using adobe techniques. It draws heavily from traditional Najdi architecture, utilising locally made clay mud-bricks that are both environmentally responsive and historically authentic. With thick walls offering thermal mass and natural cooling, the structure is tailored to the region’s desert climate so that it is low in embodied carbon, but remains high in cultural significance.

Organised around three shaded courtyards representing the museum’s key pillars – Education, Arts and Administration – Asaan will offer immersive exhibitions, workshops, public programmes and on-site conservation labs for archaeological restoration. Shaded gardens and rooftop promenades further blur the boundary between the built environment and natural landscape.

“Asaan seeks to inspire meaningful engagement through immersive experiences that connect past, present and future,” says Khaled Al-Saqer, CEO of Asaan. “It is a celebration of our heritage and a platform for collective pride, creativity and participation.”

The Latest

Wave: The New Mediterranean Haven in Dubai

IDST’s design invites exploration with a thoughtful blend of artisanal craftsmanship and contemporary style.

The Chedi Wadi Safar

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and KCA International are collaborating to launch this new hotel

A New Era of Early Learning

Roar crafts the PIF Daycare Centre in Riyadh with a calming, sensory-rich environment where design, nature and childhood development come together.

When Art Meets Light

Brush and Switch by Sans Souci bend light in unexpected ways

The Importance of Community-Driven Design

We speak to Joanna Varettas, Senior Associate Designer at TGP International on the story of Seed & Bloom – a café designed to nurture connection and community engagement

Finasi at Downtown Design 2025

Finasi x ROAR presents – Made in UAE

For this year's Downtown Design, Finasi and Pallavi Dean will unveil a bold new installation that speaks the language of material honesty, exceptional craftsmanship, visionary design, and local identity.

A Lesson in Restraint

This Palm Jumeirah home proves that luxury can be achieved with intention, rather than scale

Vote for your favourite projects at the identity Design Awards 2025

You can now choose your favourite project from the identity Design Awards 2025 shortlist

identity Design Awards 2025 shortlist: Interior Design

The shortlist is revealed for the interior design categories

What to Expect at Downtown Design

The Middle East’s leading platform for high-quality contemporary design will showcase a curated mix of international and regional brands, alongside independent designers and studios

A New Chapter of Wellness

Studio Marco Piva has designed the Eden Spa at Excelsior Palace in Rapallo, where architecture, landscape and luxury converge