Gold Souq Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Mpaghara Obodo Mepere Emepe by Ahmed Habib

Gold Souq Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Mpaghara Obodo Mepere Emepe by Ahmed Habib is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz in Nhazi Obodo na Nhazi Obodo Ukwu Competition Category.

BronzNhazi Obodo· 2026

Gold Souq Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Mpaghara Obodo Mepere Emepe

by Ahmed Habib

Client: Ahmed Habib

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz Winner in Nhazi Obodo Category

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The Design

About Gold Souq Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Mpaghara Obodo Mepere Emepe

Ederede Akwụkwọ: Gold Souq bụ mpaghara obodo nwere ọtụtụ ojiji nke nwere 356,000 mita square dị na Jeddah nke na-akọwaghachi ahịa ọla edo dị ka usoro obodo jikọrọ ọnụ. E chere ya dị ka akwa na-aga n'ihu na-adịghị akwụsị, ọ na-eweta nkà aka, azụmahịa, omenala, na nlekọta ọbịa n'ime usoro oghere doro anya. Otu isi okporo ụzọ ndị ji ụkwụ aga na-ejide mmepe ahụ, na-agbatị n'ime ogige ndị si na ụkpụrụ obodo Hijazi pụta iji mepụta ahụmịhe a na-aghọta nke ọma, nke a pụrụ ịga ije nke ndò, ụba, na nso nso na-akpụzi. A na-etinye arụmọrụ gburugburu ebe obibi n'ime ụdị obodo, ebe nha na oghere mepere emepe na-akwado nkasi obi, ịga n'ihu, na njirimara obodo dị n'otu.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz

Gold Souq Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Mpaghara Obodo Mepere Emepe meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz, nnabata dị oke ugwu e nyere design ndị pụtara ìhè nke a ma ama maka nzụlite ihe, ọgụgụ isi na nghọta. Ndị meriri na Bronz bụ ihe e mere nke ndị nwere nka nke ukwuu ma dị mma n'imepụta nke na-egosi ahụmahụ buru ibu, echiche na ọgụgụ isi nke ndị designer ha. A na-atụ anya na Gold Souq Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Mpaghara Obodo Mepere Emepe ga-abụ ihe a na-asọpụrụ nke ukwuu, a na-eto na a hụrụ n'anya, nke dị oke ọrụ ma dị ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz na-agụnye ụzọ kacha mma n'ime nka, sayensị, design na teknụzụ, ma dị mma nke ukwuu maka nlebara anya ya n'obere ihe. Gold Souq Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Mpaghara Obodo Mepere Emepe na-emezu mkpa nke ọma, na-emetụ ọchịchọ aka, na-adọrọ mmetụta obi ma na-adọta ọchịchọ ịmara.

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