The Mukaab is the newest megaproject under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, set to be developed in Riyadh. It will be a massive cube-shaped building, inspired by Najdi architecture, with a holographic dome and a spiral tower. There has been criticism that the shape resembles the Kaaba in Mecca, but this has been dismissed as a coincidence. In addition to the Mukaab, another megaproject is being planned called the Cube, which will have a lake on its roof. Although there are doubts about the feasibility of these projects, Saudi Arabia hopes to start construction soon with a goal of opening to the public by 2030.
- 00:00:00 In this section, we delve into Saudi Arabia’s latest project under the Vision 2030 initiative: the Mukaab, a giant cube that could fit 20 Empire State Buildings inside of it. It is said to be a “gateway to another world” with a holographic dome that presents visitors with various virtual realities; the building is inspired by Najdi architecture and would stand as the “new face of Riyadh.” The Mukaab will not only be a supertall skyscraper but also 400 meters wide, with a spiral tower at the center of the dome. This project is set to be developed in Riyadh and alongside it will be New Murabba – more than 80 entertainment venues, a sizeable museum, and several walking trails.
- 00:05:00 In this section, we learn about the cube-shaped design of Mukaab and the criticism it has received for resembling the Kaaba in Mecca. However, people have dismissed this similarity as a coincidence and pointed out that the Saudi crown is Muslim and would not intentionally build an offensive, Kaaba-shaped building. The cube is designed to be iconic and make Riyadh instantly recognizable among other big cities. Despite financial experts’ skepticism about the feasibility of the project and the technological challenges, Saudi Arabia hopes to start construction soon with a goal of opening to the public by 2030, but many uncertainties remain about the project’s outcome.
- 00:10:00 In this section, we learn about the Cube, another ambitious project being planned in Saudi Arabia. The Cube is designed to be a giant structure shaped like a cube with a giant lake on its roof. It faces a major challenge of being structurally sturdy and completely waterproof to avoid any potential leaks that would have devastating effects on the expensive technology directly underneath. There are concerns the project might never be finished due to a lack of finances and technology. The alternative could be a reduced size of the structure. However, it is shaping up to be a fascinating couple of years with groundbreaking projects possibly opening up to the public in 2030.