An upgrade to the existing entrance plaza of the Main Terminal Building at AlUla International Airport established a welcoming first impression to travellers arriving in Al Ula. Characterised by a large sculpture by artist Manolo Valdes, the exterior area was upgraded with landscape elements inspired by the natural surroundings.
An exploration of the different micro-landscapes found within AlUla produced palettes of patterns, colours, textures and planting, which combined to capture the essence of the place into a unique, vernacular proposal. Featuring the artwork “Clio Dorado” by Valdes, the surrounding area was upgraded with the replacement of the existing paving and lighting to significantly raise the design quality of the entire site.
Landscape elements were inspired by the unique terrain surrounding the airport, including rock formations and built forms in the Old Town of AlUla. Rammed earth blade walls used as signage elements were positioned to frame captivating perspectives, while inlay rocks from the desert and the art installation by Valdes serve as sculptural elements within the barren desertscape, grounding the overall design.
