Riyadh Air Force Museum

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Client: Zuhair Fayez partnership

Sector: Culture, Civic and Sacred

Cost: £2m

Status: Completed

Marks Barfield Architects led the project team which included the research, selection and suspension of a fleet of historic fighter aircraft and artefacts, the design and production of graphic display panels and their supports, large glass display cases, conical audio- visual pods and a diorama for the new Riyadh Air Force Museum.

Phase 1 of this aviation museum, a 6000m2 aircraft exhibition, was opened by the Crown Prince on the 24th January 1999 to celebrate the centenary of the Saudi Kingdom. The fit out of the museum was completed at a breakneck speed of 4 months.

MBA lead the exhibition team, working closely with Jasper Jacob, the exhibition designer. Four films and an interactive CD-ROM were produced, and a twelve-seat simulator was installed.

The original masterplan, by the Zuhair Fayez Partnership, was developed by the practice in consultation with the Client. Phase 2 of the project will include further exhibition space, a large education centre, Imax cinema, conference suites, extensive archives, and offices, restoration and conservation facilities.