Designed by: @cloverstudio.ltd

Captured by: @cloverstudio.ltd

The project was commissioned by The Royal Commission for AlUla to develop a series of viewpoints for a safari-style wildlife and nature experience within the wildlife reserve of the archaeological site. Designed as temporary interventions, the structures are lightweight and sensitive to their surroundings, allowing them to be completely removed without disturbing the ground. Clover Studio developed the visitor journey through storyboard sketches and a process combining architecture, exhibition graphics and a spoken guided experience.

Each viewpoint reinterprets the language of the Bedouin tents of the ancient Nabatean people of Hegra, whose wildlife art can be found across the ancient rocks. Rather than reproducing the tents through their traditional fabric and palm-tree posts, the design uses stretched fabric over monolithic curved walls. This creates a distinctive yet sympathetic silhouette while providing shade for visitors as they observe the surrounding landscape.

The three viewpoints are positioned to frame specific views of nature within key habitat locations across the reserve. Their role extends beyond providing places to stop and observe: each one also becomes part of the narrative developed for the guided experience. The architecture therefore works alongside the landscape and the spoken stories, creating moments where visitors can focus on particular aspects of the reserve and its natural environment.

Each viewpoint is accompanied by exhibition-style boards designed by Clover Studio, which complement the guided narrative and provide additional information throughout the experience. Together, the structures and graphic interventions establish a sequence of carefully positioned encounters with the landscape, while maintaining a light and reversible presence within the archaeological site.