Archeology as the hero of a progress story and history-making

Story with an Expert: Njoud Alanbari

Njoud completed her bachelor studies in Interior Architecture graduating in the year of 2014, she joined the Ministry of Culture working on designing a series of cultural heritage museums in a regional level. After finishing this role, she joined TBC Tatweer Building Company--a semi government entity in Riyadh Saudi Arabia that was involved in educational projects such as schools, kindergarten’s and more--to work with the Ministry of Education as the biggest client for her projects and AECOM as the inhouse consultant. Njoud joined Politecnico until she graduated in October 2019 after completing her thesis about Dumat AlJandal in AlJouf Northern Region in Saudi Arabia. She joined Ad Diriyah Gate Development Authority June 2020 as a Conservation Architect, she immediately got involved in the site easements and developinghe complex process of managing a cultural heritage site. She worked on multiple conservation and emergency stabilization projects within At Turaif UNESCO site and its buffer zone.

In 2022, her work scope expanded to include the Cultural Landscape of Wadi Hanifa along its escarpments, farms, water systems significant to the Saudi Nation. One of the core elements is mud, it is the seed or cell of Ad Diriyah, a very important tool to be respected and scientifically justified. What fascinates her about mud is that from this humble material you can find different architectural typologies starting from a simple farmhouse till a majestic palace. Genuinely going back to basics, it is a simple material yet very complex, matching humanity holistic nature. Njoud started to give workshops, documentaries, and other capacity building and community engagement activities about it. In general, Njoud often seek to psychologically involve and engage the audience to become part of the work. This type of engagement, distance, and sometimes defensive state excites her as an architect. She sensibly exercises and consider the facts then eventually introduces herself to the project’s creative process. Her way of thinking flows in multiple directions, horizontally, vertically, and in a dimensional manner. Njoud now is responsible for showcasing her countries rooted heritage.