Saudi Journalists Association Building Project

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City designed the headquarter of the Saudi Journalists Association in Al-Sahafah District, and supervised the project, which represents a new and modern landmark north of Riyadh and hosts one of the latest civil society professional associations.

Location

The Saudi Journalists Association Headquarter falls north of Riyadh and overlooks King Fahd Road after intersection with Imam Saud bin Faisal, south of Al-Jazira Newspaper Headquarter, and covers an area of 5300 m².

Design Concept

The building hosts an intellectual association that symbolizes freedom of expression. Therefore, the design concept was harmonious with the ambition of the journalists, in addition to its success in reflecting the development and the change experienced by the Saudi capital in all fields.

The main body of the building takes the form of a winged triangle that flies up to the sky. This is the main theme of the project and its slogan, in addition to the curved glass façade as well as the spacious garden that receives all visitors and users of the building.

The Building Functional Units

The 2500-m² building comprises three floors as follows:

The Ground Floor: It covers an area of 1200 m²and features the foyer, a key element of the project, that serves as lungs for all floors. Its high glass façade provides the staff and visitors with a bright view in all floors, and visual contact with the building’s different environs.

The ground floor hosts a 350-m²hall for lectures that accommodates 200 people, and can be sectioned into three separate parts. It falls in the center of the building and can be accessed directly from the foyer. The hall has the latest audio-visual equipment.

The women section is another main component of the ground floor that serves as a connected/separate administrative department. It provides access to the lecture hall and the main foyer when needed, while it has a separate entrance and park overlooking the street to the east of the building. The ground floor also contains an information center and a section for support services.

The First Floor: It covers an area of 660 m²and contains a section for the staff as well as the Association’s general secretary, financial department, training department, and support facilities. The staff section contains different administrative offices, in addition to the public library, archive section, information and internet department.

The Second Floor: It covers an area of 330 m²and contains the general administration department (Chairman Office and Deputy Chairman Office) and the main meeting room.

About the Saudi Journalists Association

Establishment of the Saudi Journalists Association was approved late of 1423H after approval of the Journalistic Institutions Regulations early of 1422H, which entailed establishment of an independent body concerned with handling all affairs of the Saudi journalists.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, may Allah have mercy upon him, issued a directive on 26 Sha’baan, 1425H (October 10, 2004), granting a plot of land to the Saudi Journalists Association at Al-Sahafah District north of Riyadh to establish its headquarter there.