Al Hair "The Lakes Park” Main Entrance, Riyadh

All projectsAl Hair "The Lakes Park” Main Entrance, Riyadh

A Gateway of Light

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Al-Hair Lakes, the largest naturally occurring wetland habitat in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are located at the southern end of the Wadi Hanifa catchment basin, approximately 35 km from Riyadh city center. The lakes form a major part of the Al-Hair Reserve, which covers around 38 km² and supports a rich diversity of flora and wildlife. Serving as the final outlet for floodwaters drained from Wadi Hanifa, the area is central to the region’s environmental rehabilitation efforts.

The recreational lakes were made possible by relocating a wastewater treatment plant from central Riyadh to the nearby desert. The lakes were positioned at different levels, creating multiple individual lakes connected by a system of weirs, which also offered opportunities for landscape features such as waterfalls. Pedestrian access was carefully integrated, and the infrastructure framework was developed around the primary water features.

The Lakes Park project aimed to restore Wadi Hanifa’s ecological function, improve public accessibility, and prepare the area for recreational and investment purposes. Overall, the project supports the comprehensive rehabilitation and sustainable development of the Al-Hair Lakes area, integrating environmental restoration with recreational and infrastructural improvements.

Year

2025

Location

Riyadh, KSA

Lighting design

ALS (Bilbao)

A signature feature of the project is the Al-Hair Lakes Park Gate, located at the end of the Wadi Hanifa stream and covering 54,000 m². The gate comprises 22 towers, each 20 metres tall, with a design inspired by the surrounding landscape. Stone accents along the roadsides and tower bases enhance their visual appeal. Welcoming visitors with their elegant and contemporary appeal, these stylish yet robust towers, featuring detailed architectural cladding and steelwork, serve as a striking landmark at the entrance to the Lakes Park and a proud symbol of Riyadh’s modern development.

A comprehensive lighting system highlights the architectural features of this distinctive gate, creating dynamic effects with coloured light contrasted against static warm white illumination. A total of 220 custom Capital 200 units, fitted with medium or wide optics and delivering 3000K warm white light, are housed in metal protection cages located at the base of the 22 towers, illuminating them uniformly to the top in a soft, consistent tone.

Additionally, 206 custom Dune MC fixtures in RGBW configuration with narrow optics are vertically embedded within the stone accents along the roadsides. Their dynamic, quick-changing rainbow effects accompany vehicles traveling to and from the lakes, adding a sense of motion and vibrancy to the overall lighting composition.

The lighting design of the Al-Hair Lakes Park Gate not only enhances the architectural identity of this landmark but also reflects Riyadh’s broader vision for innovation and sustainability. Through the careful integration of advanced lighting technology, refined materials, and contextual design, the project transforms the gateway into a dynamic visual experience — one that celebrates the harmony between modern engineering and the natural landscape of Wadi Hanifa.

Installed fixtures:
206 x DUNE MC RGB+W 3000K custom version with narrow optics
132 x CAPITAL 200 3000K custom version with medium optics
88 x CAPITAL 200 3000K custom version with wide optics
2 x CORE S Server
4 x DMX Node
6 x DMX Splitter

Credits:
Lighting Design: ALS (Bilbao)