About the Commission

The Architecture and Design Commission was established in February 2020 as one of 11 commissions under the Ministry of Culture. One of the Commission’s key objectives is to regulate the sector, including supporting and encouraging practitioners, organizing exhibitions and seminars, and stimulating creative thinking in the sector. The sub-sectors represented under the Commission include architecture, urban design and planning, and landscape architecture, as well as various design fields such as interior design, graphic design, and industrial design. Our role at the Commission is to achieve the goals of the Ministry of Culture and Vision 2030, and contribute to the national economy, through creating programs and initiatives to support Saudi architects and designers and enrich our national identity. The Commission also seeks to establish national companies and encourage investment in the field. This will contribute to creating job opportunities for qualified Saudis and enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Objectives

The Commission has set six strategic objectives that include the criteria against which impact will be measured:

1. Sector Development

   Integrate and regulate the Architecture and Design ecosystem and create a vibrant and healthy dialogue to facilitate collaboration across the value chain.
   

2. GDP Contribution

   Support the diversification of Saudi Arabia's economy by growing the creative industries. This will enable the Architecture and Design sector to become a major contributor to GDP and to the realization of Vision 2030.

3. Talent

   Educate future professionals to gain a stronger voice within the sector, improve design skills, and align their talents with evolving needs of the profession. Provide Architecture and Design professionals with the best opportunities and resources to thrive both domestically and internationally.

4. Global Recognition

   Build a regional Architecture and Design powerhouse, drawing international attention to the quality of Saudi designers' achievements in the sector.

5. Sustainability

   Position Saudi Arabia as the regional environmental sustainability leader in Architecture and Design.

6. Community of Innovation

   Foster and promote innovation and research to shape the future of the sector, collaborating with the most brilliant minds while celebrating Saudi heritage.

Commission’s roles

The Architecture and Design Commission aims to regulate and develop the Architecture and Design sector in Saudi Arabia, advance its components, and support and encourage practitioners to achieve their goals. The Commission’s roles and responsibilities include:

• Design and deploy the Architecture and Design sector strategy in alignment with the Cultural Vision.

• Encourage financial investment.

• Encourage individuals, institutions and companies to produce and develop content in the Architecture and Design sector.

• Facilitate training courses. 

• Approve professional training programs and certification bodies.

• Develop educational programs and provide scholarships.

• Cooperate and coordinate with the relevant commissions to support intellectual property rights in all related fields.

• Licensing activities related to the Commission's remit.

• Create a database for the Architecture and Design sector.

• Organize and hold conferences, exhibitions, events, and international competitions.

• Engage with regional and international associations, organizations and bodies relevant to the Commission.

• Represent the Kingdom within relevant regional and international bodies, organizations and forums.

Services

These tasks have been summarized under three primary services:

1. Orchestrate and Regulate

   The Commission aims to regulate and manage the Architecture and Design sector, define and supervise the national strategy, and facilitate cooperation between the sector’s various components. It will also ensure that practical standards of organization and implementation are ensured, oversee standards for academic programs, and support cooperation between the professional and educational industries.

2. Support and Advise

   The Commission aims to support and advise the architecture and design sector through services dedicated to empowering practitioners. In addition to providing cultural assets, data, and significant support programs in terms of education and development. 

3. Promote and Advocate

   The Commission aims to promote and endorse the Architecture and Design sector in Saudi Arabia both globally and locally, dealing with media coverage, presenting awards, managing local and international events, and developing content.