Gold Souq بنیادی کارکرد: شهری ضلع by Ahmed Habib

Gold Souq بنیادی کارکرد: شهری ضلع by Ahmed Habib is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award برنجی انعام in اربن پلاننگ ءِ اربن ڈیزائن Competition Category.

برنجاربن پلاننگ· 2026

Gold Souq بنیادی کارکرد: شهری ضلع

by Ahmed Habib

Client: Ahmed Habib

A' Design Award برنجی انعام Winner in اربن پلاننگ Category

6,802

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #182664

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Gold Souq بنیادی کارکرد: شهری ضلع

کتاب متن: گولڈ سوق په جدہ ءَ یک ۳۵۶،۰۰۰ مربع میٹر ءِ ملوک‌کاربردی شهری ضلعے انت کہ تلاہ ءِ بازار ءَ یک یکجاہی شهری سستم ءِ حیثیت ءَ نوک ءَ تعریف کنت۔ ایشی یک پدا پد ءَ آیگی بافتے واتر کشّگ بوتگ، ہمے ضلع ہنر، تجارت، فرہنگ ءُ مہمان‌داری ءَ یک رد ءُ شفّافیں مکانی درجہ‌بندی ءِ تہا یکجاہ کنت۔ یک مرکزی پیادہ‌رو ستون ایشی آبادکاری ءَ لنگر دنت، کہ حجازی شهری اصولاں ءَ بدست کپتگیں حویلیاں ءِ تہا چست بیت تاں یک خوانگ‌بہ، پیادہ‌رِگ بہ تجربہ ساجی بہ کنت کہ سایگ، چگالی ءُ نزیکی ءَ شکل دیگ بوتگ۔ ماحولیاتی کارکرد شهری شکل ءِ تہا جوڑ کنگ بوتگ، ہنجاہ کہ حجم ءُ کھلا فضا آرامی، تسلسل ءُ یک ہم‌آہنگیں شهری شناخت ءَ ساتھ دنت۔

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award برنجی انعام

Gold Souq بنیادی کارکرد: شهری ضلع A' Design Award برنجی انعام ءِ ورگ آ انت، باز معزز اعتراف کہ تخلیقی صلاحیت، اختراع ءُ ذہانت گوں ممتاز بہترین ڈیزائناں دیگ بیت۔ برنج ءِ ورگ آ بھرپور مہارت ءِ ءُ نمایاں ڈولا تخلیقی شاہکار انت، کہ وتی ڈیزائنراں ءِ وسیع تجربہ، تخیل ءُ ہوشیاری ءِ تصدیق کننت۔ Gold Souq بنیادی کارکرد: شهری ضلع چہ امید کنگ بیت کہ آ یک باز قدر کنگ بوتگیں، ساراہگ بوتگیں ءُ پیارکنگ بوتگیں چیز بیت، قابل ذکر حد ءَ پیشہ ورانہ ءُ جدت ءِ۔ ای ڈیزائن کہ A' Design Award برنجی انعام ءَ برتگ، فن، سائنس، ڈیزائن ءُ ٹیکنالوجی ءِ بہترین طریقہ شامل کنت ءُ ہورد تفصیلاں ءَ توجہ دیگ ءِ سببا شاندار انت۔ Gold Souq بنیادی کارکرد: شهری ضلع ضرورتاں جوانیں ڈولا پورا کنت، خواہشاں ءَ ہنچیت، جذباں ءَ موہنت ءُ تجسس کشنت۔

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This design redefines the gold market as a complete urban ecosystem where production, trade, and public life coexist. Unlike conventional commercial developments, it integrates retail, workshops, education, and culture within a pedestrian network of shaded streets and courtyards inspired by Hijazi urbanism. A central flow structure organizes movement and visibility, while climate-responsive design ensures comfort. Its strength lies in merging heritage principles with a contemporary, high-performance urban model.
Dimensions & Packaging: Plot Area 356,000 sqm
Foot Print 72,500 sqm
built up area 418,000 sqm
Tags: Hijazi architecture, gold market, mixed-use development, urban ecosystem, pedestrian spine, climate responsive design, souq reinterpretation, cultural urbanism, parametric planning, public realm, Jeddah, Saudia
Production Technology: The design was developed through a parametric and iterative methodology linking circulation, program distribution, and climatic performance. A central flow spine informed massing and spatial hierarchy, supported by simulations for shading and ventilation. Traditional Hijazi elements were reinterpreted using stone cladding, precast concrete, steel structures, timber and wood screens, and high-performance glazing, ensuring durability, thermal efficiency, buildability, and a strong expression of local identity.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was translating the organic complexity of historic Hijazi souks into a contemporary, buildable urban system. Internally, it required balancing cultural authenticity with modern program demands and user expectations. Externally, constraints included climate conditions, large-scale coordination, and regulatory frameworks. The design resolved these through a structured flow-based approach, integrating environmental strategies and flexible planning to maintain identity while ensuring feasibility and performance.
Research: Type of Research: applied urban and climatic research. Research Objectives: to redefine the traditional gold market as a resilient mixed-use ecosystem. Methodology: comparative analysis of historic souks and contemporary retail districts combined with environmental simulations. Data Collection and Tools: solar studies, pedestrian flow mapping, and heat analysis models. Participants: planners, economists, and local stakeholders. Results: improved environmental comfort and commercial synergy. Insights and Impact: a scalable model linking heritage, economic performance, and climate-responsive urban design.
Inspiration: The project is inspired by the organic growth of historic Hijazi cities, where movement, climate, and commerce shape urban form over time. Traditional souqs were not planned as isolated buildings but emerged as interconnected networks of streets, courtyards, and shaded passages driven by trade and social interaction. This logic informed the design, where a continuous flow organizes space and activity. The aim was to reinterpret these principles within a contemporary framework, creating a resilient environment that reflects local identity while supporting modern patterns of production and exchange.
Project Duration: Design started in May 2025 and finished in December 2025, in Cairo, Egypt. The Project is to be executed n Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Operation Flow: The project operates through a continuous pedestrian flow that structures movement, visibility, and interaction. A central spine connects courtyards, retail, workshops, and cultural spaces, creating sequential experiences from arrival to immersion. Vehicular access is limited to the perimeter, ensuring a safe, walkable environment. Layered circulation enhances accessibility and engagement, while the integration of production and trade within public space creates a dynamic, efficient, and socially active urban system.
Image Credits: Ahmed Habib