24 April 2025
LWK + PARTNERS at AlUla: Kourosh Salehi Explores the Tensions and Harmonies Between Contemporary Design and Heritage
We are honoured to share that Kourosh Salehi, Global Design Principal at LWK + PARTNERS, participated in the prestigious Heritage Conservation Studio Lecture Series 2025 in AlUla. Hosted by ICOMOS Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla, this forum gathers global experts, researchers, and practitioners to engage in high-level discourse around conservation, architecture, and cultural memory.
Kourosh delivered a thought-provoking lecture titled “An Artful Discord: Contemporary Design and Historicity,” which unpacked the evolving dialogue between modern cultural practices and deep-rooted traditions across the Middle East. He examined how architecture serves as a battleground and a bridge—where innovation and memory coexist, clash, and ultimately shape new spatial narratives.
Drawing from his research and practice, Kourosh reflected on the cultural dynamics of urban development, asking pressing questions about the preservation of identity amidst rapid modernisation. He argued that tradition should not be viewed as static or untouchable but as a living force—open to reinterpretation and capable of evolving through critical engagement and design intervention.
A key part of his presentation focused on The Library of Light, a conceptual case study that demonstrates how historical context, religious symbolism, and contemporary form can merge to create spaces that resonate with both past and future generations. In this project, the architectural gesture becomes a dialogue—not just with the physical landscape, but with spiritual and cultural memory.
Kourosh’s participation reinforces LWK + PARTNERS’ commitment to cultural sustainability, context-driven design, and intellectual leadership in the global architectural community. His talk contributed meaningfully to AlUla’s mission of positioning itself as a hub for heritage discourse and future-facing cultural development within the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 ambitions.
This event underscores our dedication to shaping cities and spaces that honour memory while embracing innovation—building not only for today, but with deep respect for the stories that shape our collective tomorrow.
