Eco-Resort in Ta’if, Saudi Arabia

Project Name: Nature | Eco-Resort in Ta’if, Saudi Arabia

Organized by: AIA Middle East and Alfeir

Competition Type: Concept Design + Commission Opportunity

Target Audience: Small and Large Architecture Firms, Students, and Architectural Interns

 

1.      Overview

AIA Middle East invites students and interns, single practitioners, and large and small firms to participate in a design competition for a proposed Eco-Resort in Al-Shafa, Ta’if. The aim is to develop a concept that aligns with sustainable tourism, respects local ecology and culture, and can serve as a compelling vision to secure investment and government support.

The winner will receive a monetary prize and may be considered for a future full design commission, contingent on project financing (separately between the Project Owner and the participant).

2.    Eligibility

  • Students and Interns (less than 5 years since graduation)

  • Small Firms: Registered architectural firms with 1–20 full-time staff.

  • Large Firms: Registered architectural firms with more than 20 full-time staff.

  • Multidisciplinary teams (including landscape, sustainability, etc.) may be proposed but must be led by an architecture firm.

3.    Prize

First Prize: USD $40,000

Additional award honoraria (e.g., USD $2,000–$5,000) to shortlisted entries at the jury’s discretion.

 

4.    Commission Opportunity

The winning firm will be invited to negotiate a design services contract to deliver subsequent stages, contingent on the project securing funding.

The client intends to use the winning concept to engage with authorities and investors.

Any engagement between the project owner and any participant, expert, or firm following the competition shall be conducted privately and independently, outside the governance and responsibility of AIA Middle East and AIA International.

 

5.    Submission Requirements

  • Concept Master Plan (site strategy, zoning, circulation)

  • Up to 5 presentation boards (A1 or digital equivalent)

  • Design Narrative (max 1,000 words) covering:

    • Architectural approach

    • Environmental strategy

    • Cultural integration

    • Wellness, education, and community engagement components

    • Concept visuals (perspective renderings and/or axon diagrams)

    • Sustainability approach summary

  • Team profile (1-page firm intro)

6.    Anticipated Timeline

Milestone                 Date

Registration          January 11-22, 2026 (Registration remains open for the duration of the competition)

Competition Launch           January 25, 2026

Submission Deadline          Thursday, May 28, 2026

Jury Deliberation                Early June

Winner Announcement     TBC

 

7.     Jury Panel

Jury to be composed of:

  • The Client

  • AIA ME representatives

  • Invited external architects and sustainability experts

  • Representative(s) from the client/developer (optional or anonymous)

8.    Ownership & Use of Designs

  • Participants retain IP of their submissions.

  • The client may use shortlisted designs for fundraising and promotion, with attribution, for a limited period (60 months).

  • The winning firm agrees to negotiate design services in good faith if the project proceeds. (separately between the Project Owner and the participant).

9.    Evaluation Criteria

  • Conceptual strength and originality

  • Sensitivity to site and environment

  • Feasibility and clarity of sustainability strategy

  • Integration of local culture and identity

  • Suitability for potential phasing and development

10.    Fees

  • Students and Interns    $125 / AIAME Member    $100

  • Small Firms            $200/ AIAME Member    $160

  • Large Firms            $400/ AIAME Member    $320

NOTE:

!!! Are you enrolled as a student of architecture in a university in Saudi Arabia? Please e-mail: taif-competition@aiamiddleeast.org for an Access Code for a special closed registration category!

Register Today