Centre of excellence for Al-Usayla nursery, research and visitor centre (Wahah)
Saudi Arabia
The Centre of Excellence for Al-Usayla Nursery, Research and Visitor Centre (Wahah, Saudi Arabia) is conceived as an advanced landscape-driven infrastructure dedicated to plant production, research and knowledge transfer in arid environments. The project integrates a productive nursery, scientific facilities and visitor-oriented spaces within a coherent system where landscape, technology and sustainability operate in synergy.
From a technical perspective, the design is grounded in water efficiency and climate resilience principles. High-precision irrigation systems (drip and subsurface irrigation) are deployed and monitored through soil moisture sensors and on-site weather stations, enabling real-time optimisation of water inputs. The use of treated wastewater is a key component of the system, complemented by strategies for water harvesting and storage to ensure an optimised annual water balance.
Planting design is based on xerophytic performance, soil adaptability and low-maintenance criteria, prioritising native species alongside experimental palettes under testing conditions. The nursery is structured into specialised zones (propagation, growth and acclimatisation), supported by modular shading systems that reduce evapotranspiration and enhance germination efficiency.
Spatially, the project is organised through a hierarchical network of circulation routes connecting productive areas, laboratories and interpretative spaces. Educational pathways allow visitors to engage with cultivation processes, ecological restoration strategies and research activities, turning the landscape into an active learning platform. Topographic modelling introduces subtle landforms that promote infiltration, reduce runoff and contribute to thermal regulation.
In terms of environmental comfort, passive strategies such as shaded corridors, tree alignments and water features are combined with high-albedo materials and permeable surfaces to mitigate heat island effects. These interventions create microclimatic gradients that enhance outdoor usability and visitor experience.
