John McAslan + Partners was selected through an international competition to develop the masterplan for the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy within the Diriyah South district. The project forms a key component of the wider Diriyah Gate Masterplan, a 7 km² transformation of the historic town of Diriyah into a major cultural and tourism destination that celebrates more than 300 years of Saudi heritage while integrating contemporary programmes for culture, hospitality, education and public life.
A connected cultural district
Diriyah South occupies a strategic position along the main pedestrian spine linking the southern cultural areas with the northern Cultural Quarter, with long views across Wadi Hanifah. Conceived as a vital point of arrival and exchange, the district is designed to support walkability, public gathering and cultural activity. The Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy is located prominently along this spine, forming an activated cultural hub at its southern end.
A series of interconnected buildings and public gardens define the Center, creating a sequence of shaded courtyards, landscaped spaces and civic rooms. Surrounded by residential, educational and hospitality uses and adjacent to a central plaza, the site establishes a strong relationship between cultural production, learning and everyday urban life.
A global centre for calligraphy
Envisioned as both a museum and an academy, the Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy will host long-term and temporary exhibitions alongside world-class teaching, research and training facilities. It is conceived as an international hub for the study, practice and promotion of Arabic calligraphy, nurturing emerging talent while celebrating the art form’s historic and contemporary relevance.
Together, the masterplan and the Center contribute to the cultural and social heart of Diriyah Gate, reinforcing Diriyah’s role as a place where heritage, creativity and public life are brought into meaningful dialogue.
