AAID’s Riyadh office for Norton Rose Fulbright blends tradition with innovation.
Following the successful delivery of Norton Rose Fulbright’s Dubai office, acclaimed interior design firm AAID was entrusted with designing the law firm’s new Riyadh headquarters in the Kingdom Tower. The project brief was clear and considered: reflect the international brand identity while resonating with the local cultural and environmental context of Saudi Arabia.
To achieve this, AAID adopted a meticulous, user-centered approach, conducting in-depth interviews with department heads to tailor the design around the team’s operational needs. This process helped shape a workplace that balances corporate formality with regional nuance, professional and structured, yet approachable and familiar.
Inspired by Hijazi rawasheen windows
A defining element of the new office is its creative homage to rawasheen—the traditional Hijazi windows characterized by intricate wooden latticework. These architectural features, often found in historic homes of Jeddah and Makkah, are celebrated for their ability to combine aesthetics with utility, allowing light and air to enter while maintaining privacy.
In the Riyadh office, this traditional element is reimagined through a modern lens. Painted in calming hues of blue and green, and adorned with motifs like crescent moons and stars, the rawasheen-inspired forms are seamlessly incorporated into the design language of the space. These serve not only as cultural references but also as functional partitions and decorative features that create a rhythmic flow throughout the workspace.
Functionality meets cultural sensitivity
Set against the urban backdrop of Riyadh’s iconic Kingdom Tower, the office is designed to be a destination—a place of purpose and prestige. The rawasheen theme anchors the project in the narrative of Saudi design heritage while simultaneously allowing for a forward-looking workspace experience. The design fosters connections, both literal and symbolic, between individuals and their environment.
Seamless integration of light, air, and privacy
From private offices and meeting rooms to communal areas, the layout supports collaboration and focus in equal measure. Every element—from material selection to lighting—was guided by the client’s insistence on functionality as the core principle. AAID’s design ensures that form does not overshadow purpose but instead enhances it, reinforcing Norton Rose Fulbright’s reputation as a leading international legal practice with a deep understanding of regional values.
Sophisticated yet welcoming design ethos
The result is a sophisticated interior that feels grounded in its surroundings, where every detail contributes to a workplace that is not only efficient and elegant but also rich in cultural resonance. AAID has once again proven its ability to deliver exceptional, contextually relevant design, merging global best practices with the unique spirit of place.
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