The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) in Riyadh is hosting the Saudi Architecture Symposium 2026 on Saturday 22 August 2026, as part of its knowledge and education programs spotlighting traditional arts and the Kingdom's cultural and architectural heritage.

The symposium runs from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, offering a knowledge space for those interested in architecture, design and traditional arts, and a deeper look at the characteristics that shaped Saudi architectural identity across the Kingdom's regions.

Saudi Architecture Between Heritage and Contemporary Design

The symposium highlights Saudi architecture and the aesthetic and cultural elements tied to its different local environments, and how the nature of place, materials and traditional building methods produced architectural styles that reflect the Kingdom's diversity.

The event also gives participants a chance to explore the relationship between architectural heritage and contemporary design, and the value of drawing on traditional knowledge to develop projects that preserve local identity while meeting the needs of the present.

A Knowledge Platform for Architecture and Traditional Arts

The symposium is part of a wider program presented by the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) during August 2026, which includes educational programs and specialized courses in a number of traditional arts.

These programs pass on the knowledge and skills of cultural heritage to new generations and provide an environment where practitioners, specialists and enthusiasts can explore traditional arts and architecture in both theory and practice.

Hosting the symposium reinforces the institute's role in promoting and preserving Saudi traditional arts and highlighting the potential of their elements in the contemporary cultural and design scene.