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Design Profile

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Unlocking Potential 5 4

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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 at their heart,” says Al-Marsumi. “Our shopping,” says Al-Marsumi. “They are dual perspective that ensures Echo’s
its ability to align creative vision and values public space - both indoors & 5. Westfield commercial acumen. strength is bringing that international places that encourage social connection continued relevance in a rapidly
T with commercial understanding, and outdoors; places where people Riyadh by While Saudi Arabia provides the stage experience of integration to Saudi and civic life. Spaces animated by changing sector.
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 Arabia, but always through the lens of performance, discovery and the energy For Al-Marsumi, architecture’s role
few Saudi-based firms with a proven time together are central to everyday Saudi Arabia benefits from a global perspective. The local culture. That balance of global of community. That is what defines in Saudi Arabia’s next decade is clear.
track record of delivering lifestyle life and remain at the heart of the 3. Westfield portfolio includes masterplans, mixed- expertise and Saudi knowledge is what experience-led retail.” We know that the “Architecture can be a catalyst for social
Jeddah by
destinations end-to-end. Kingdom’s social fabric. At the same Cenomi use schemes, retail, residential and makes our work distinctive.” best forward-thinking retailers want to and economic change. When designed
Working across retail, leisure, hos- time, Echo draws on its extensive Centers, hospitality projects across Europe - The depth of Echo’s experience comes showcase their products and give their with knowledge, care and ambition,
pitality and mixed-use environments, global experience, understanding the Jeddah, Saudi experience that continues to inform its through most clearly in two landmark customers exciting immersive brand retail destinations become stages for
the firm has established a reputation expectations of international retail Arabia 4. T5, approach in the Kingdom. Combined projects now under development: experiences, our new Westfield Jeddah cultural transformation. They are where
Sesto San
for projects that balance imagination and leisure operators while ensuring Giovanni, Milan, with an international team in London Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi Centers and by Cenomi Centers and Westfield the future of society takes shape.”
with feasibility. “We are inspirational destinations remain world-class and Italy 6. U Walk, and Riyadh, Echo draws on a wide Westfield Jeddah by Cenomi Centers. Riyadh by Cenomi Centers projects are Looking ahead, Echo Architecture
but grounded,” says CEO Hareth accessible to the communities they Jeddah, Saudi range of global expertise to refine Conceived not simply as shopping malls designed to deliver that setting.” sees an opportunity to play a leading
Al-Marsumi. “Our starting point is serve. “We design for the location and Arabia circulation, sustainability, branding but as urban, civic and cultural hubs, Echo’s partnership with Cenomi has role in shaping the Kingdom’s built
always feasibility; are we creating for how people want to live, not just and placemaking. both destinations represent a significant also proven its longevity. The Mall of environment, with ambitions that extend
places where people genuinely want how spaces look,” says Al-Marsumi. Echo’s concept work includes T5 step in the Kingdom’s transformation Arabia in Jeddah, completed nearly 20 across the Gulf and beyond. Building on
to spend time and are we meeting and “That principle is what makes a place Milan, where an industrial structure under Vision 2030. years ago, remains one of the developer’s its current pipeline and continuing to
exceeding the commercial expecta- feel authentic.” was reimagined as part of a wider Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi best-performing centres and among the fuse Saudi insight with international
tions of our clients? This is what we This combination of commercial mixed-use masterplan and Turin’s Centers sits at the heart of a larger most successful malls in Saudi Arabia. expertise, the practice is shaping
ask ourselves on every project.” That intelligence and design excellence has iconic Palazzo del Lavoro, originally masterplan, bringing together commercial The ability to deliver destinations that environments where people connect,
approach has made Echo a trusted helped Echo move from architect to built for the 1961 exhibition, adapted offices, residential communities and endure commercially as well as socially relax and discover. “Echo was born here
partner for some of the Kingdom’s advisor. The studio is involved from the for contemporary commercial use. In hospitality in a walkable, multi-layered is a mark of Echo’s track record. and our future is here,” Al-Marsumi
most significant developers, including earliest stages, shaping investment logic both, the priority was to respect the urban hub. In both projects, the design This blend of international reach and concludes. “But our outlook is global. As
Cenomi, Saudi Arabia’s leading and and interrogating briefs to unlock each architectural character of the original emphasises generous pedestrian avenues Saudi roots positions Echo uniquely retail and lifestyle destinations continue
most ambitious retail developer. project’s full potential. With an integrated buildings while unlocking their flooded with natural light, alongside large- within the Kingdom. The firm is to evolve, we will continue to create and
Echo Architecture’s ethos blends team of architects, engineers and interior potential for today. scale shopfronts, fluid indoor-outdoor able to bring global best practice into to build environments where people and
cultural fluency with international designers, they reduce risk for clients by “Globally, many mixed-use connections and spaces for performance alignment with local culture, creating brands can thrive.”
credibility. Having worked in Saudi delivering holistically and seamlessly. developments anchor cultural, social and activity. destinations that are both commercially
Arabia for over two decades, the team Long-term client relationships stand and commercial activity but place retail “These projects are about more than robust and socially resonant. It is this www.echoarchitecture.com

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