Siq Foncion principala: Districte d'usatge mixte by Ahmed Habib

Siq Foncion principala: Districte d'usatge mixte by Ahmed Habib is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Bronze in Arquitectura Competition Category.

BronzeArquitectura· 2026

Siq Foncion principala: Districte d'usatge mixte

by Ahmed Habib

Client: Ahmed Habib

A' Design Award de Bronze Winner in Arquitectura Category

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The Design

About Siq Foncion principala: Districte d'usatge mixte

Tèxte: Amb un budget de construccion que despassa los 1,2 miliards de riyals saudits, lo projècte es concebut coma un Siq urban ont las massas arquitecturalas se levan coma de formacions terrèstras mentre qu'una val ombrada organiza lo movement dels piuses. Lo desvolopament s'estructura a l'entorn de tres aisses que reflectisson la fe, lo comèrci e l'estabilitat, ligant sèt massas a travèrs de camins ombrats e d'espacis dobèrts. De formas en terrassa emergisson de cors paisatjats e de senders ombrats, mentre que de marquesinas fluidas s'espandisson sus las passejadas per provesir una proteccion climatica e connectar las diferentas partidas del projècte, formant un encastre urban distinctiu a Jeddah.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronze

Siq Foncion principala: Districte d'usatge mixte a ganhat la distincion A' Design Award de Bronze, una reconeissença plan prestigiosa acordada a de designs excellents que se destrian per la creativitat, l'engenh e la finessa. Los ganhaires del Bronze son d'artefactes largament abils e sorprenentament creatius que provan la vasta experiéncia, l'imaginacion e l'engenhositat de lors designers. S'espèra que Siq Foncion principala: Districte d'usatge mixte siá un objècte fòrça considerat, admirat e estimat, notablament professional e innovant. Aqueste design ganhaire de la distincion A' Design Award de Bronze integra las melhoras practicas de l'art, de la sciéncia, del design e de la tecnologia e es excellent per son atencion al detalh. Siq Foncion principala: Districte d'usatge mixte satisfa esplendidament los besonhs, toca los desirs, encanta los sentiments e interèssa la curiositat.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Set on a 356,000 sqm site in Jeddah, This project reinterprets the spatial logic of a siq within a contemporary mixed-use development. Instead of isolated buildings, the project forms a continuous urban landscape where terraced masses frame a shaded valley of movement. Large canopy structures create a protected pedestrian environment adapted to Jeddah climate, while seven interconnected masses integrate retail, cultural, educational, and hospitality functions within a unified spatial system.
Dimensions & Packaging: Plot Area 356,000 square meters,
Built Up Area 400,000 square meters,
Construction Budget 1,250,000,000 Saudi Riyals
Tags: Retail, Commercial, Hospitality, Cultural, Architecture, Real Estate, Construction, Saudi, Urban, Masterplan
Production Technology: The project was developed through a system driven urban methodology translating site forces into spatial organization. Parametric studies informed axes, massing, and pedestrian circulation, while environmental analysis shaped the shading strategy. Terraced volumes and canopy structures were modeled to improve shade and walkability in Jeddah climate. The material palette combines steel, stone, textured concrete, wood, glass, and metal screens, while modular planning enables flexible retail and production spaces within a coherent spatial system.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was translating complex urban forces into a coherent spatial system while responding to Jeddah harsh climate. Balancing cultural continuity with contemporary commercial demands required rethinking spatial organization, density, and pedestrian circulation. Environmental constraints, large scale coordination, and program complexity required extensive testing. The resulting design organizes the project as a shaded urban Siq, improving walkability, climatic protection, and spatial clarity.
Research: This project is based on applied urban design research exploring how contemporary market districts can respond to climate, culture and social movement in hot environments. The objective was to reinterpret traditional market structures for Jeddah conditions. The methodology combined urban analysis, environmental studies, parametric modeling, and site research, supported by discussions with clients and users. Iterative testing informed a shaded urban Siq linking architecture masses, improving walkability, circulation, and commercial interaction.
Inspiration: The design draws inspiration from a Siq, a natural passage between rock formations, combined with forces shaping Jeddah urban structure. Architectural masses rise like landforms while a shaded valley organizes pedestrian movement. Three axes reflecting faith, trade, and stability structure the masterplan, linking seven masses through shaded routes and open spaces integrating landscape, movement, and commerce.
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: Visitors move through the project along a shaded valley linking plazas, courtyards, and interior spaces. Terraced masses create a sequence of outdoor spaces where retail, culture, and hospitality unfold along walkable routes. Large canopy structures provide shade and shelter, allowing smooth transitions between shaded plazas and climate-controlled interiors. This arrangement supports continuous pedestrian flow while maintaining clear orientation across the development.
Image Credits: Ahmed Habib