Shada Mountain - Urbnita

2021

145.553 m²

2021

Al Bahah, Saudi Arabia

Shada Mountain

New memorable experiences to rediscover nature.

145.553 m²

Home to prehistoric heritage, endemic wildlife and variegated flora, the granitic formations of Shada Mountain’s natural reserve are still a largely unexplored treasure of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Creating a sustainable and sensitive eco-tourism strategy and a visitor centre is thus key to rediscovering nature, bringing it closer, while acknowledging and respecting its delicacy.

Client

Ministry of Tourism,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Collaborators

Buro Happold

URBNITA Team

Felipe Guzman

Luciano Landaeta

Natalia Urquijo

Christian Sarmiento

Yeison Quintero

Brayan Castiblanco

Al Bahah, Saudi Arabia

Shada Mountain

Visitor Centre exterior view with shaded facade and landscaped arrival paths.

Shada Mountain is structured as a linear journey along the Jabal Shada Reserve corridor, organised across three destinations that guide visitors from arrival and services to panoramic outlooks and longer-stay accommodation. Design guidelines prioritise local materials, minimal habitat impact and an architectural language that sits within the terrain rather than over it.

Re-establishing a new relationship between nature & tourism activities

Located in the Al Bahah region, Shada Mountain is positioned as a connected nature escape accessible via the regional road network, close to nearby settlements and services. The proposal focuses on the Jabal Shada Reserve corridor along Shada Road, organising visitation across three destinations—Entrance Point (Site 1), The View Point (Site 2) and Mountain View (Site 3)—that form a linear journey from arrival and services, to panoramic outlooks, to longer-stay accommodation embedded in the rocky landscape.

Respecting the unique natural environment as a key driver for growth

The masterplan is delivered as a chain of small, terrain-responsive interventions. Each node pairs a simple arrival sequence (access, parking and gateways) with a short walk to a viewpoint, activity area or building. Delivery is phased—Quick Fixes provide basic access and essential amenities, Enablers add education and trail mapping, and Game Changers introduce signature programmes and expanded networks. Throughout, platforms, courtyards and decks follow the contours, defining clear edges between movement, gathering and protected landscape.

The programme is distributed across three destinations. Site 1 (Entrance Point) provides parking, composting toilets and a phased visitor centre. Site 2 (The View Point) concentrates the main overlooks and signature experiences, including the infinity swing, with terraces and yoga/meditation decks added over time. Site 3 (Mountain View) introduces eco-lodging and wellness—cave dwellings, VIP lodges, a panoramic restaurant and spa—supported by trails and access routes. The Quick Fixes / Enablers / Game Changers framework enables early activation with a minimal footprint, with growth scaled as systems and demand are proven.

The visitor experience is designed as a sequence of thresholds: arrive by road, transition through a modest gateway and parking, and then enter a slower, pedestrian-paced landscape of decks, courtyards and viewpoints. The masterplan curates ‘pristine’ and ‘panoramic’ views as primary public realm assets, using observation platforms and framed outlooks to help visitors read the mountain’s scale.

At the View Point, playful and contemplative moments—an infinity swing, yoga/meditation decks and multipurpose terraces—turn the site into a public-realm itinerary. Education and guided activities turn leisure into learning, building a culture of stewardship.

Local materials to minimise impact on natural habitats

Shada Mountain shows how protected landscapes can welcome tourism without losing their identity. By concentrating services at the Entrance Point and linking low-impact viewpoints and trails, the plan limits disturbance and supports controlled access. Education and mapping promote safer visits, while eco-lodging encourages longer stays and strengthens Al Bahah’s regional appeal.

Shada Mountain is not developed—it is revealed.