SAMoCA will be located in Diriyah, as part of a wider integrated cultural and entertainment district including museums, retail, and a university.

Diriyah is a $63.2 billion integrated urban development expected to award more than $29 billion in contracts, contribute about $18.6 billion to Saudi GDP, create over 180,000 jobs, house roughly 100,000 residents, and attract around 50 million visits annually when completed.

Hassan Allam Construction is a subsidiary of Hassan Allam Holding and has an ongoing Saudi project pipeline spanning decades.

The SAMoCA building, designed by Godwin Austen Johnson with Rafaat Miller Consulting, covers a gross floor area of 45,252 square meters within a total built-up area of 77,428 square meters and has achieved Mostadam Gold sustainability certification at both design and construction stages.

Godwin Austen Johnson designed the SAMoCA building, which has earned Mostadam Gold certification at both its design and construction phases.

CEO Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Hammad says the museum will showcase works from multiple generations of Saudi artists and foster international cultural dialogue, serving as a dynamic platform and inspiration for society.

Officials emphasize SAMoCA’s role in documenting Saudi art history—from pioneers to emerging talents—and inviting global dialogue in line with the Museums Commission’s broader cultural objectives.

SAMoCA will sit on Diriyah Grand Avenue, spanning a built-up area of 45,252 square meters within a 77,428 square meter footprint, offering contemporary exhibition spaces that respect the heritage site’s architectural character.

Diriyah’s broader development will include museums, shopping districts, a university, the Diriyah Opera House, the Diriyah Arena, dining outlets, and nearly 40 world-class resorts and hotels across two masterplans.

At the signing ceremony, Diriyah Co. Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo and leaders from Hassan Allam and Al-Bawani attended; Allam called the project a milestone for delivering world-class cultural projects in Saudi Arabia.

The contract for SAMoCA was awarded to a joint venture of Hassan Allam Construction Saudi Arabia and Al-Bawani Co. Ltd. for a major cultural development in Riyadh’s context.

SAMoCA, a flagship initiative of the Museums Commission, will document, research, exhibit, and promote Saudi modern and contemporary art to support artists across generations and engage international audiences.