Construction has begun on the Asaan Museum, a new cultural institution in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The project marks the firm’s first use of adobe construction worldwide.

Located in the historic At-Turaif district, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, the Asaan Museum draws inspiration from traditional Najdi forms. The museum is being built from locally sourced clay mud-bricks, a material with roots in the region’s vernacular built environment. The use of adobe offers strong thermal insulation and high thermal mass, suited to Diriyah’s desert climate.

Commissioned by the Misk Foundation, the museum will feature interactive exhibitions, immersive displays, and conservation laboratories. The museum’s programme will span education, arts, and administration, each organized around one of three shaded courtyards that reflect the spatial logic of Najdi architecture.

The museum is part of the wider Diriyah Gate masterplan, a national heritage initiative that aims to develop a walkable, sustainable urban environment while protecting the historic fabric of Diriyah. The design includes shaded gardens, rooftop promenades, and public plazas to encourage community engagement.

“The three-story design is defined by the scale & geometries of the old town, as well as the museum’s traditional construction techniques & materials,” Zaha Hadid Architects said about the scheme. “Composed of the region’s local clay, this materiality echoes Diriyah’s historical vernacular architecture.”