Iwan combined traditional Islamic design architecture, inspired by the Iwan and Muqarnas, with modern materials.

Iwan was the winning pavilion from the Tanween Foldable Pavilion Challenge, a collaboration between the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), their knowledge partner, architectural practice Mamou Mani Studio, and production partner ABYWAT, a leading GCC company that provides a variety of finishing and furnishing materials.

Designed by emerging Saudi architects Abdulqader Alsuwaidan, Nawaf Alghamdi, Hayat Almousa, and Lama Dardas, Iwan drew its inspiration from Islamic architecture, particularly the ‘Iwan’, a distinctive transitional space, and ‘Muqarnas’, a form of ornamental decoration.

Iwan was an open installation crafted entirely from meticulously shaped aluminium sheets, creating an intricate and visually captivating composition that abstractly captured the essence of Muqarnas patterns. The carefully manipulated sheets enhanced the structure’s detail, generating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow that drew audiences into the space.

The pavilion celebrated Islamic design principles while demonstrating the versatility of aluminium as a modern material. Serving as a symbolic gateway, it offered a fresh interpretation of cultural aesthetics, seamlessly blending traditional elements with contemporary design to create a culturally resonant and immersive experience.

About King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra):

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) stands as a premier cultural hub in Saudi Arabia, significantly impacting the country's creative and cultural industries. As a cornerstone of Saudi Aramco's corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, Ithra promotes talent development, content creation, and cross-cultural exchange, fostering social harmony and human development.

Ithra hosts a variety of programs, workshops, performances, events, and exhibitions that blend culture, innovation, and knowledge, catering to a diverse audience. Its state-of-the-art facilities include the Idea Lab, Library, Theater, Museum, Cinema, Great Hall, Energy Exhibit, Children's Museum, and Ithra Tower.