An all-new museum is coming to Diriyah
The Asaan Museum aims to engage both local and international visitors with Saudi culture and heritage…
For all lovers of heritage, a new cultural hotspot is all set to open in Diriyah in the coming years.
The Asaan Museum, supported by the Misk Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to youth education and empowerment, celebrates Saudi heritage, guiding visitors through corridors of history to explore authentic values, customs, and societal traditions handed down through generations.
The museum derives its name from an Arabic word meaning ‘inheritance passed down through generations’.
Construction for the Asaan Museum has now begun. The site will span more than 40,000 square meters and feature designs by Zaha Hadid Architects, blending traditional Najdi architecture with contemporary creativity.
Expect its facade to be punctuated by the geometries of the old town, with walls made from adobe – a construction material made from a mixture of earth, water and organic matter such as straw. Local clay will be used to form adobe bricks for the museum.
Drawing inspiration from vernacular architecture, the Asaan Museum will consist of three floors and feature three central courtyards, designed to provide shaded spaces for the museum’s educational, arts, and administrative areas.
Once open, it will showcase thousands of heritage artefacts and unique jewellery from the various regions that illustrate Saudi Arabia’s history and cultural evolution. Visitors can look forward to permanent exhibitions, art galleries, and the “Asaan’s Majlis”, a dedicated space for dialogue, workshops, and cultural discussions.
It will also feature conservation laboratories and interactive learning programmes, providing visitors with immersive experiences that genuinely bring Saudi history and traditions to life.
The Asaan Museum is integrated within the Diriyah Gate masterplan that protects and promotes Diriyah’s ancient cultural heritage while also creating a fully walkable city, which prioritises water conservation, energy efficiency, wellness, and climate resilience.
No specific date has been revealed regarding the opening of the Asaan Museum, so watch this space for more details.
Visit: Asaan.sa
Renders: Specto Digital