Populous, a global design firm based in US, has unveiled the designs and the surrounding masterplan for the ambitious stadium project being developed by Saudi oil giant Aramco in Al Khobar in the kingdom’s Eastern Province.

Drawing inspiration from Al Khobar’s location on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, Populous has created a dynamic and visually striking stadium exterior that expresses the graceful rotation of waves and the spiral motifs commonly found in nature.

The overlapping translucent sails of the façade, delicately curved and proportioned, create a flowing sequence that allows natural light to penetrate the stadium’s interiors through strategically placed openings, said the top designer in a statement.

Within the stadium, the spiral form of the building is echoed in the ramps and walkways that lead spectators to the seating bowl, which has been shaped elliptically to minimise the venue’s footprint and optimise natural ventilation.

Developed by Populous’ specialist designers, the seating bowl will provide world-class viewing for football, with a compact configuration and uninterrupted views of the pitch from every seat.

Aramco Stadium is one of a number of Populous-designed venues included in the official list of potential venues for the 2034 World Cup, as published in the Saudi Arabia bid book released last month.

Shireen Hamdan, the Senior Principal and General Manager of Populous KSA, said: “The Aramco Stadium development will create a world-class football venue capable of hosting top-tier international tournaments. The venue’s stunning setting on the shores of the Arabian Gulf has allowed us to develop a distinctive building form that is instantly and uniquely recognisable.”