Miroslaw Nizio’s project won second place in the international Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge 2025 competition. The event, which is part of the Vision 2030 programme, is one element of Saudi Arabia’s cultural transformation. Its aim was to identify the most worthy urban sculpture designs for two locations in Al-Khobar. There were 366 participants from 60 countries competing, so such a high place for the Nizio Design International studio is a huge success. The Polish sculpture is called Gate of Civilisation and Progress.
Gate of Civilisation and Progress
The award-winning design entitled The Gateway of Civilisation and Progress was created to surround Abu Hadriyah Road, one of the main transport routes in Saudi Arabia. The artery, more than 600 kilometres long, runs from the border with the United Arab Emirates all the way to Kuwait and is regarded as a symbol of the region’s economic development.
The concept developed by the Nizio Design International team took the form of a composition made up of two massive blocks of compacted earth. Their form, reminiscent of natural rock hills, creates a kind of transition symbolising a dialogue between the past and the future. The layered structure of the site alludes to the geological formation of the desert landscape and to the resources that have formed the basis of the country’s economy for decades. The surfaces of the sculpture are criss-crossed by fissures inspired by the natural fractures of the rocks. On the side of the road, they are narrow, while on the opposite side they open up to allow entry into the interior of the volumes. Inside, elongated rooms with skylights and two square tanks are planned. One symbolises an oil well, the other refers to a water source, an extremely important element of life in the desert.
Polish sculpture appreciated
The competition jury singled out the project for the clarity of its message and its skilful adaptation to the character of its surroundings. They also appreciated the use of local materials and the spatial gesture that made the Gate of Civilisation and Progress a significant point in the urban structure of the city of Damman.
The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an initiative that is part of the Saudi strategy for the development of culture and public space. It aims to create places that enhance a sense of community and provide an element of dialogue between tradition and modernity. Miroslaw Nizio’s project is an expression of this idea. The architect has used the language of architectural forms to convey respect for local heritage while introducing modern values. Congratulations on your success!
Source: Nizio Designpress materials
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