Page 30 - #202 October 2025

Design Profile

Unlocking Potential 2

A Saudi-born, international practice,
Echo Architecture delivers architecture,
interior design and masterplanning,
internationally, from studios in London
and Riyadh. Over the past 20 years, the
practice has become synonymous with the
transformation of retail-led destinations
in Saudi Arabia. Recently, RLI spent some time with company
CEO Hareth Al-Marsumi discussing the company’s extensive
portfolio and what the future holds.

HEIR TEAM’S CONFIDENCE lies in understands how Saudi society uses Main Image, 2 as proof of their creative reliability and
its ability to align creative vision and values public space - both indoors & 5. Westfield commercial acumen.
T with commercial understanding, and outdoors; places where people Riyadh by While Saudi Arabia provides the stage
Cenomi
as well as in its position as one of the can promenade, connect and spend Centers, Riyadh, for Echo’s most visible work, the practice
few Saudi-based firms with a proven time together are central to everyday Saudi Arabia benefits from a global perspective. The
track record of delivering lifestyle life and remain at the heart of the 3. Westfield portfolio includes masterplans, mixed-
Jeddah by
destinations end-to-end. Kingdom’s social fabric. At the same Cenomi use schemes, retail, residential and
Working across retail, leisure, hos- time, Echo draws on its extensive Centers, hospitality projects across Europe -
pitality and mixed-use environments, global experience, understanding the Jeddah, Saudi experience that continues to inform its
the firm has established a reputation expectations of international retail Arabia 4. T5, approach in the Kingdom. Combined
Sesto San
for projects that balance imagination and leisure operators while ensuring Giovanni, Milan, with an international team in London
with feasibility. “We are inspirational destinations remain world-class and Italy 6. U Walk, and Riyadh, Echo draws on a wide
but grounded,” says CEO Hareth accessible to the communities they Jeddah, Saudi range of global expertise to refine
Al-Marsumi. “Our starting point is serve. “We design for the location and Arabia circulation, sustainability, branding
always feasibility; are we creating for how people want to live, not just and placemaking.
places where people genuinely want how spaces look,” says Al-Marsumi. Echo’s concept work includes T5
to spend time and are we meeting and “That principle is what makes a place Milan, where an industrial structure
exceeding the commercial expecta- feel authentic.” was reimagined as part of a wider
tions of our clients? This is what we This combination of commercial mixed-use masterplan and Turin’s
ask ourselves on every project.” That intelligence and design excellence has iconic Palazzo del Lavoro, originally
approach has made Echo a trusted helped Echo move from architect to built for the 1961 exhibition, adapted
partner for some of the Kingdom’s advisor. The studio is involved from the for contemporary commercial use. In
most significant developers, including earliest stages, shaping investment logic both, the priority was to respect the
Cenomi, Saudi Arabia’s leading and and interrogating briefs to unlock each architectural character of the original
most ambitious retail developer. project’s full potential. With an integrated buildings while unlocking their
Echo Architecture’s ethos blends team of architects, engineers and interior potential for today.
cultural fluency with international designers, they reduce risk for clients by “Globally, many mixed-use
credibility. Having worked in Saudi delivering holistically and seamlessly. developments anchor cultural, social
Arabia for over two decades, the team Long-term client relationships stand and commercial activity but place retail

30 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2025