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The Arts Core : Visual and Performing Art School
Qutub, Ghadi
Qutub, Ghadi
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Abstract
The Visual and Performing Arts School in Abha is a comprehensive academic and cultural project aimed at creating an institution that celebrates creativity, nurtures talent, and serves as a hub for artistic exchange. Positioned within the broader ambitions of cultural development in Saudi Arabia, this thesis investigates the architectural design and planning of a multidisciplinary college that supports both visual and performing arts, integrating educational, cultural, and community functions within a single cohesive environment. The project responds to the growing demand for localized arts education, cultural infrastructure, and creative industries in the Kingdom. It envisions a space where young Saudi artists can grow, collaborate, and express themselves in a setting that reflects their identity, values, and aspirations. The thesis takes into account the historical, cultural, and climatic context of Abha, allowing the project to be both rooted in its environment and forward-looking in its approach. The research is structured into five chapters. The first introduces the project theme and outlines the goals, vision, and problem statement, highlighting the gap in dedicated arts institutions in the region. The second chapter explores two international case studies the Royal College of Art in London and the Columbia College Media Production Center in Chicago analyzing their architectural language, circulation, zoning, and environmental strategies. These precedents inform and inspire the project’s own spatial logic and conceptual approach. Chapter three defines the functional program through spatial standards, flow diagrams, and stacking analysis. It identifies the required departments, shared facilities, administrative areas, and cultural venues. Chapter four focuses on selecting and analyzing the site in Abha, addressing climate, access, regulations, and neighborhood
context. The environmental study includes temperature, sun path, wind, and daylighting to inform passive design strategies. Chapter five is the core of the design outcome. It presents the full architectural development of the project, beginning with concept formation and leading into schematic design, zoning, spatial articulation, and architectural language. This chapter includes all technical drawings and systems such as structure, HVAC, and circulation plans. It also features detailed architectural drawings floor plans, sections, elevations supported by 3D modeling, physical massing studies, and final visual renders that illustrate the spatial quality and atmosphere of the project. The outcome of this thesis is a design that blends creativity, functionality, and cultural sensitivity into a learning environment that encourages dialogue, performance, and expression. It establishes a new standard for arts education in the region and contributes to the cultural landscape of Abha by creating a space that is not only educational but also open, inclusive, and deeply connected to the local context.