National Tennis Centre at Qiddiya City

At the heart of the project is the idea that architecture and landscape should be experienced as one continuous environment. Rather than creating a collection of isolated venues, the design establishes a connected civic landscape where buildings emerge from the terrain and public spaces flow naturally between them.

Movement through the site is a defining part of the experience. Routes, viewpoints and gathering spaces are carefully choreographed to encourage exploration, creating moments of arrival, pause and connection throughout the development. The result is a destination that feels open, accessible and deeply connected to its surroundings.

The architectural language draws inspiration from the site’s topography, using a series of layered forms that echo the character of the surrounding landscape. Green roofs and planted terraces extend the natural environment across the development, while elevated walkways create new vantage points and strengthen connections between different areas of the site.

Folded roof forms, tilted planes and strong horizontal elements introduce a sense of movement and continuity across the architecture, reinforcing the relationship between building and landscape. Throughout the development, the architecture is designed to feel embedded within the terrain rather than imposed upon it, creating a distinctive identity rooted in place.

Developed by Populous’ Urban Design team, the masterplan balances the requirements of a major international venue with the qualities of a year-round public destination. It creates a clear and intuitive framework for movement, ensuring strong physical and visual connections across the site while maintaining seamless integration with the wider fabric of Qiddiya City.

The planning approach prioritises the quality of the visitor experience, with architecture, landscape and public realm working together to create a coherent destination. Flexible public spaces and carefully considered circulation routes allow the site to adapt easily between event and non-event conditions, supporting a broad range of uses throughout the year.

The landscape strategy responds directly to the character of the desert Wasi environment, embracing the site’s natural topography and reinforcing its connection to place. Native planting is used throughout the development to create shaded pedestrian routes, enhance the public realm and reduce long-term irrigation demands.

Rather than treating landscape as a separate element, the masterplan integrates it into every aspect of the visitor experience. The result is a destination where architecture, planting and terrain combine to create comfortable, walkable and engaging outdoor environments.