Vision in Flight is conceived as a seafront landmark artwork that embodies the essence of the falcon — a revered emblem of Saudi Arabia’s nobility, courage, vision, and leadership. Three soaring abstract forms rise from a meticulously gridded piazza, merging the freedom of nature with the structure of unity. Mirrored stainless steel surfaces capture the shifting colors of sea and sky, inviting passersby to see themselves reflected in a national symbol that belongs to all.
The composition can be read as one falcon in motion, or as three falcons together — a symbolic triad in Saudi culture representing strength, completeness, and harmony. By day the sculpture evolves with the sun’s journey; by night, soft illumination transforms it into a glowing landmark along the Eastern Province coast, a bridge between land and water, tradition and modernity.
Rectangular concrete seating volumes invite visitors to pause, while integrated greenery — desert rose, achillea, lavender, and coastal flowering plants — forms a living bridge between nature and people. At the base of the main sculpture, a rectangular water mirror creates both a visual and conceptual dialogue between the sculpture and its ground. Two integrated decks enhance the visitor experience: one at mid-height with shaded seating for up to 200 visitors, and one at the top, over ten metres above the piazza, offering an exclusive view of the sea.
The creation began with a handmade model, translating the falcon’s spirit into an organic form, later 3D scanned and refined into a precise mathematical model while preserving the artisan’s hand. Fabrication unites craftsmanship and engineering: a steel skeleton provides structural integrity, with custom-formed, hand-forged panels in mirror-polished stainless steel achieving double-curved precision, and integrated moving walkways certified for full wheelchair accessibility.
Place: Tharwa district, Al-Khobar, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
https://www.nirsivan.com/nir-sivan-architects/project-gallery/vision-in-flight-saudi-arabia/
