Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge #8 – Tharwa Sea Front Site – Honorable mention Winners: Saif Alnuimi, Yahya Abdullah Labbad and Ali Fadel A Alluwaim

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge #8 competition - Tharwa Sea Front Site – Saif Alnuimi, Yahya Abdullah Labbad and Ali Fadel A Alluwaim from Saudi Arabia!

Saif Alnuimi, Yahya Abdullah Labbad and Ali Fadel A Alluwaim from Saudi Arabia

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

We are a team of three architects with diverse backgrounds in philosophy, building technology, structures, literature, and research. Our different perspectives allow us to approach architecture from both conceptual and technical angles. We came together for this competition with a shared ambition to explore new ideas and develop a fresh architectural vision that contributes to and enriches the region. We came together for this competition to combine these different perspectives and develop a new architectural vision that can enrich the urban landscape of the region.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been Involved?

This is our first project as a team. Individually, we bring diverse experiences across architectural consultancy, project management, and steel production. One of our team members was also a recipient of the Award Ithra by Saudi Aramco in 2025, reflecting our shared interest in design excellence.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

To us, architecture is a way of understanding and shaping the relationship between people, place, and time. It is not only about creating spaces, but about giving meaning to them and revealing what is often overlooked. We believe the architect’s role in society is to be both a designer and an observer: to understand the culture, history, and needs of a place, while imagining what it could become. In our region, we see architecture as an opportunity to enrich the urban landscape while creating a stronger connection between contemporary life and the identity of the place.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We participate in architecture competitions because they give us the freedom to explore ideas beyond the constraints of conventional practice. They allow us to question familiar approaches, bring together different perspectives, and develop new ways of thinking about architecture and place.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competitions?

We would encourage them to participate, especially when a competition presents a question or opportunity that genuinely interests them. Competitions offer a space to experiment, take risks, and explore ideas that may not always be possible in professional practice. Even when the outcome is not a win, the process itself can be valuable. It challenges you to think critically, work with others, and understand your own approach to architecture more clearly.