Location: Al ‘Ulá, Saudi Arabia.

Architect: Giò Forma.

The first project created for the Journey Through Time Masterplan 1 was Maraya, which aimed to transform AlUla, Saudi Arabia, into a living museum and share its cultural past with the rest of the world. A complex that could host concerts and events was the first request made by the client. The land in question was a valley near Al-‘Ula that was bordered by Nabataean empire ruins and had a history of 200,000 years. The goal was to establish a relationship between the construct and the existing in the most respectful manner possible by working out how to build in such a stunning and significant location.

Maraya has an uncommon stage configuration: a huge 40 x 15 m stage with an enormous retractable window of more than 800 square metres that opens up to the surrounding nature, allowing shows to take place directly on the ground level where mass-coreo can perform in an uncommon indoor and outdoor setting that combines scenery and entertainment. The Maraya Concert Hall can hold worldwide performances of opera, ballet, plays, and concerts thanks to its state-of-the-art amenities.