Saudi Arabia is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, with ambitious projects like Qiddiya, Diriyah, and New Murabba pushing the boundaries of design and development. I have identified, through research and experience, 12 innovative initiatives that could significantly benefit these projects and contribute to the success of Saudi Vision 2030. While some of these have been adopted by Saudi projects, I am going to propose a more comprehensive and early adoption, in synchronisation with the whole development process, rather than as individual initiatives.
The reason I want to bring these to you is experience, I have been the leader of the business rationale definition, technical design and implementation of several of the initiatives we will talk about.
But before we get to describing the initiatives in more detail, here’s why these initiatives should be embraced, with some examples:
Addressing Challenges Unique to Saudi Arabia
- Extreme Climate: Saudi Arabia’s desert climate demands energy-efficient designs and innovative solutions for managing heat and water scarcity. Initiatives like Lifecycle Cost Analysis (LCA) and Green Building Certifications can guide the selection of sustainable materials and technologies, leading to significant long-term cost savings and reduced environmental impact.
- Cultural Heritage Preservation: Projects like Diriyah require a delicate balance between modernization and preserving cultural heritage. Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) with experts in heritage preservation can ensure that construction methods respect historical significance while incorporating modern efficiencies.
- Rapid Urbanization: The scale and pace of development in Saudi Arabia necessitate streamlined processes and efficient construction techniques. Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) and Lean Construction Principles can help accelerate project delivery while ensuring high quality and minimizing waste.
Aligning with Vision 2030 Goals
- Economic Diversification: Vision 2030 aims to reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on oil and foster a thriving, knowledge-based economy. Initiatives like Parametric and Generative Design and Digital Twin Integration leverage advanced technologies, attracting global investment and fostering innovation.
- Sustainability: The sources emphasize that Saudi Arabia is committed to environmental sustainability. Implementing Green Building Certifications and utilizing Real-Time Data from IoT Sensors can help achieve ambitious sustainability targets and showcase Saudi Arabia’s leadership in this area.
- Improved Quality of Life: Vision 2030 aims to enhance the quality of life for citizens. Initiatives like Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement using VR and AR technology, and Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) Automation to monitor building performance and user satisfaction, can contribute to creating more livable and enjoyable spaces.
Long-Term Benefits and Return on Investment
- Cost Efficiency: While some initiatives may require upfront investment, the long-term benefits outweigh the costs. LCA helps optimize designs for operational efficiency, reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs over the building’s lifespan.
- Reduced Risk: ECI involves contractors early in the process, identifying and mitigating potential risks during design and planning. This reduces delays, cost overruns, and disputes, ultimately leading to smoother project delivery.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Initiatives like POE Automation provide valuable data to continuously optimize building performance and make informed decisions. This data-driven approach ensures that buildings operate at peak efficiency, enhancing sustainability and occupant satisfaction.
So now we see some of the rationale for innovation in Saudi Arabia, I will outline the 12 innovative initiatives I think can make a huge contribution to any project and are designed to enhance efficiency within the RIBA Plan of Work. Noting that even projects not strictly using RIBA can benefit from these in their own methodologies.
These initiatives particularly focus on contracting, design optimization, and sustainability.
Here’s a brief description of each of the 12 initiatives:
- Integrated Digital Collaboration Platforms: The sources propose the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) platforms, along with cloud-based project management tools, to centralize project information and streamline communication throughout all RIBA stages. This fosters real-time collaboration between designers, contractors, and stakeholders, leading to reduced rework and delays. I have designed three of these at city and neighbourhood scale, they form a key building block to RIBA efficiency.
- Early Contractor Involvement (ECI): This initiative advocates for integrating contractors in the initial RIBA stages (e.g., Stage 1 – Preparation and Brief). This allows contractors to provide valuable input on feasibility, cost, and constructability during design development. The impact of this approach includes reduced risk, faster execution, and alignment between design choices and financial constraints.
- Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA): This proposal focuses on optimizing designs for off-site manufacturing through modular and prefabrication principles. This involves standardizing components for streamlined procurement and assembly, which ultimately reduces on-site construction time, enhances quality control, and minimizes material waste. This can be driven and managed through digital twins.
- Parametric and Generative Design: This initiative proposes utilizing AI-driven tools like Grasshopper or Dynamo to create parametric designs. These designs can maximize return on investment by efficiently using space, optimizing energy consumption, and ensuring structural integrity.
- Smart Contracts with Blockchain Technology: This proposal suggests implementing smart contracts for project delivery agreements. These contracts, built on blockchain technology, automate payment releases, track milestones, and perform compliance checks securely and transparently. This enhances trust and efficiency in contracting, reduces disputes, and accelerates payments.
I was the primary architect, governance architect and delivery manager for the first version of the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI), which was successfully deployed as a pilot in the 27 countries of the EU. It has gone on to be a basis for efficiency programs around decision making, identity and supply chain. So I can confirm that there is a huge amount of value in blockchain initiatives, especially in reducing effort wasted on validation, audit and conflict.
- Lifecycle Cost Analysis (LCA) Integration: The sources emphasize performing detailed LCA at RIBA Stage 2 – Concept Design. This analysis helps balance upfront costs with long-term operational savings and overall value. By considering the entire lifecycle, this approach encourages sustainable choices, such as renewable materials and energy-efficient systems, to improve return on investment and minimize environmental impact.
- Green Building Certifications: The sources advise aligning designs with green building standards like BREEAM or LEED from the earliest stages. This early commitment to sustainability goals attracts environmentally conscious investors and tenants, leading to long-term cost savings through lower operational expenses.
- Real-Time Data from IoT Sensors: The proposal is to integrate IoT-enabled building components to gather real-time data during construction and post-occupancy. This data can then be utilized to inform design adjustments in future projects. This practice improves operational efficiency and facilitates predictive maintenance, leading to better overall building performance.
- Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement: The sources propose using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to present designs to clients and stakeholders during RIBA Stage 3 – Spatial Coordination and beyond. This immersive technology allows stakeholders to visualize and interact with designs before execution, facilitating improved decision-making.
- Circular Economy Design and Lean Construction Principles: This proposal encourages designing buildings for disassembly, with a focus on recyclable and reusable materials. This approach minimizes material waste, supports sustainability, and aligns with modern environmental policies. This initiative also advocates for applying lean methodologies to eliminate waste, streamline workflows, and prioritize value-added activities during construction. This approach reduces inefficiencies, accelerates project timelines, and improves resource utilization.
- Digital Twin Integration: Many sources recommend developing digital twins during RIBA Stage 5 – Manufacturing and Construction to create real-time project simulations for monitoring and optimization. Digital twins enhance decision-making through accurate forecasting and operational insight. I believe they are critical in all RIBA stages.
I designed two digital twins, the lastest over the last two years, including 26 use case through design, construction and operations.
- Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) Automation: This initiative proposes incorporating automated POE mechanisms at RIBA Stage 7 – Use to gather performance data and inform future designs. Automated POE strengthens feedback loops and ensures continuous improvement in sustainability and operational efficiency.
Conclusion
The innovative initiatives outlined in the sources offer a roadmap for Saudi Arabia’s ambitious development goals. By embracing these approaches, Saudi Arabia can create world-class projects that are not only visually stunning but also sustainable, efficient, and contribute to a thriving future.
However, additionally to embracing individual initiatives, which is already extremely positive for achieving development goals, projects should consider a holistic approach in planning and execution of them. Essentially creating a new level of development and construction execution to enhance traditional approaches.