Tuwaiq Palace, Cultural center in Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Tuwaiq Palace is a modern state guest complex in the Diplomatic Quarter defined by a curved perimeter wall and five tent-like tensile structures. The facility includes swimming pools, tennis courts, bowling alleys, conference rooms, and guest accommodations.

The palace resulted from an international design competition held in 1981 and was completed in 1985. The project merged contemporary architecture with traditional forms adapted to the desert landscape.

The palace hosts state receptions and government functions where Saudi traditions are presented to international audiences. Visitors can observe how the spaces are used for official events and cultural gatherings.

The complex is located in the Diplomatic Quarter and is accessible to visitors during official events and guided tours. Check ahead to learn which areas can be visited, as some sections are reserved for private functions.

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture was handed over in 1998 in Granada, Spain, to Dar Al-Omran (Omrania) and Frei Otto. The jury cited the palace's response to its desert setting and its pairing of traditional forms with modern construction. The building later appeared in The New York Times in a discussion of contemporary Islamic design.