Gold Souq Lub Hauv Paus Tsev: Cheeb Tsam Nroog by Ahmed Habib

Gold Souq Lub Hauv Paus Tsev: Cheeb Tsam Nroog by Ahmed Habib is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Tooj in Tsim Kev Npaj Nroog thiab Kev Tsim Nroog Competition Category.

ToojKev Npaj Nroog· 2026

Gold Souq Lub Hauv Paus Tsev: Cheeb Tsam Nroog

by Ahmed Habib

Client: Ahmed Habib

A' Design Award Tooj Winner in Kev Npaj Nroog Category

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The Design

About Gold Souq Lub Hauv Paus Tsev: Cheeb Tsam Nroog

Gold Souq yog ib cheeb tsam nroog siv ntau yam nyob rau 356,000 sqm hauv Jeddah uas rov txhais qhov khw muag kub kom ua ib qho txheej txheem nroog sib koom ua ke. Tau xav tias yog ib daim ntaub uas tsis muaj kev tu, nws coj kev txawj txawj tes, kev lag luam, kev coj noj coj ua, thiab kev tos txais qhua los ua ke nyob hauv ib qho kev faib cheeb tsam meej. Ib txoj kev taug kev hauv nruab nrab ua qhov chaw tseem ceeb rau qhov kev txhim kho, ncua mus rau hauv cov tshav puam uas tau txais los ntawm Hijazi cov hauv paus ntsiab lus nroog los ua ib qho kev paub nyeem tau, taug kev tau uas tsim los ntawm duab ntxoov ntxoo, kev nruj ntse, thiab kev nyob ze. Kev ua tau zoo rau ib puag ncig tau muab tso rau hauv lub hom phiaj nroog, qhov chaw loj thiab qhov chaw qhib txhawb kev xis nyob, kev txuas ntxiv, thiab ib tug yam ntxwv nroog uas sib haum xeeb.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Tooj

Gold Souq Lub Hauv Paus Tsev: Cheeb Tsam Nroog yog tus yeej ntawm A' Design Award Tooj, ib qho kev lees paub muaj meej mom heev uas muab rau cov qauv tsim tshwj xeeb uas txawv los ntawm kev tsim tshiab, kev txawj tsim thiab kev ntse. Cov neeg yeej Tooj yog cov khoom muaj txuj ci heev thiab tsim tshiab heev uas ua pov thawj txog kev paub ntau, kev xav thiab kev txawj ua ntawm cov kws tsim qauv. Gold Souq Lub Hauv Paus Tsev: Cheeb Tsam Nroog xav tias yuav yog ib qho khoom uas neeg hwm, qhuas thiab hlub, uas tshaj lij heev thiab tsim tshiab. Cov qauv tsim yeej A' Design Award Tooj no siv cov kev coj ua zoo tshaj plaws ntawm kev kos duab, kev tshawb fawb, kev tsim qauv thiab thev naus laus zis thiab zoo heev vim nws saib xyuas cov ntsiab lus. Gold Souq Lub Hauv Paus Tsev: Cheeb Tsam Nroog ua tau raws li cov kev xav tau zoo kawg, kov cov kev xav, ntxias cov kev xav thiab txhawb kev xav paub.

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