The Speaking Oasis

Set to be showcased at The Lavery in Cromwell Place, a recognized hub for the international art community, the project conceived by architect Shahad Alazzaz, founder of Azaz Architects, creates a space for dialogue between tradition, sustainability, and the future of global design. Alazzaz has drawn particular inspiration from the al-Hasa Oasis, the largest natural date palm oasis in the world and one which has long shaped movement and exchange, to reimagine this natural resource through contemporary design to explore symbols of heritage, resilience and innovation. Alazzaz has been recognized in Architectural Digest ME 100 and holds a BA in Architecture from the Manchester School of Architecture and an MA in Architectural Management and Design from IE Business School in Madrid. She serves on the Advisory Board for the King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism and the Riyadh Region Municipality, and has served as a juror for the King Salman Charter Award, anchoring her practice firmly within Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural and architectural identity. The project is sponsored by the Ithra Palm Initiative, launched by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). Ithra is the flagship citizenship initiative of Aramco and a cultural and architectural landmark in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Ithra enriches communities through impactful cultural and creative programming. Through the Ithra Palm Initiative, leading designers and local artisans come together to explore the creative potential of the date palm, celebrating traditional craft, contemporary design, and Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage on a global scale.