Aquarabia Water Theme Park

Overview

Aquarabia is Saudi Arabia's first water theme park and one of the world's largest water-based entertainment destinations. Located within Qiddiya City, the approximately 250,000-square-metre development combines record-breaking attractions, immersive storytelling, hospitality and themed environments to create a destination unlike any other in the region. Officially opened in April 2026, the park represents a flagship leisure destination supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 ambitions. Falcon's Creative Group established the park's creative vision, developing its masterplan, original intellectual property, attraction concepts and immersive guest experience. As Lead Design Consultant and Construction Supervisor, Dewan transformed that vision into a coordinated, buildable and fully realised destination, leading the multidisciplinary design development while overseeing construction through to successful completion.

Project Vision

Aquarabia was conceived as far more than a collection of water rides. Every attraction, landscape, structure and themed environment forms part of a continuous narrative inspired by the geology, wildlife and natural landscapes of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The park is organised into eight individually themed zones, each expressing its own identity while contributing to an overarching story. Monumental rock formations, sculpted native animals, waterfalls, interactive elements and themed architecture work together to immerse visitors within a world where storytelling and entertainment become inseparable. For Dewan, the challenge was not to reinterpret this vision, but to faithfully realise it. Every architectural, structural and engineering decision was developed to support Falcon's Creative Group's creative intent while ensuring the project could be safely constructed, coordinated and operated.

Design Response

Delivering a destination of this complexity required exceptional coordination between architecture, engineering, landscape, theming, ride systems and specialist consultants. The completed park features 22 rides and attractions distributed across eight themed zones, supported by restaurants, retail outlets, private cabanas and guest facilities. Four attractions were developed as world-record experiences, while the wider destination includes surfing, kayaking and family adventure experiences that extend the traditional water park model. Perhaps the defining architectural element is the park's extensive themed landscape. Approximately 150,000 square metres of artificial rockwork recreate the geology of central Saudi Arabia while incorporating more than 50 sculpted native animals throughout the visitor journey. Rather than acting as decorative features, these structures conceal buildings, integrate attractions, accommodate food and beverage venues, form circulation routes and support operational infrastructure.

One of the most technically demanding elements was Camel Rock, a monumental sculpted structure that serves as both a visual icon and an occupied building. Its highly irregular geometry required an advanced steel structure without the benefit of conventional grids, while simultaneously accommodating internal hospitality spaces and visitor circulation. Every structural member responded to unique loading conditions and geometries, demanding close collaboration between structural engineers, architects and specialist contractors. Throughout construction, digital modelling and three-dimensional scanning were used to compare completed works against the approved design models, ensuring the sculpted landscapes accurately reflected the original creative vision.

Key design strategies included:

• Translating Falcon's Creative Group's creative vision into a coordinated architectural and engineering solution
• Integrating architecture, landscape, themed environments and ride systems into a unified visitor experience
• Coordinating complex structural solutions for large-scale sculpted rock formations
• Delivering multidisciplinary design coordination across architecture, structure, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, interiors and landscape
• Maintaining design integrity through digital modelling, site verification and continuous construction supervision
• Coordinating specialist consultants, contractors and ride suppliers throughout delivery
• Supporting testing, commissioning and operational readiness across the completed destination

Experience of Place

Visitors experience Aquarabia as a continuous journey rather than a series of independent attractions. Each themed zone introduces its own landscape, architecture, rides and environmental character while remaining connected through the park's overarching narrative. The Herding Grounds adventure zone combines climbing, ziplining, obstacle courses, rafting and water play within a highly sculpted environment. Its rock formations were carefully engineered to support different activity levels while maintaining safety, durability and the appearance of naturally formed landscapes.

Specialist climbing consultants worked alongside the project team to ensure the environment functioned both as an immersive setting and as a safe recreational facility. Within Camel Rock, hospitality interiors were carefully adapted to the irregular geometry created by the themed rockwork. Seating layouts, food and beverage operations, back-of-house facilities and circulation routes were refined on site to ensure every element functioned within the completed structure while remaining faithful to the approved design intent. The result is an environment where architecture, engineering, landscape and storytelling combine seamlessly, allowing visitors to experience the destination as a single immersive world.

Performance & Impact

Aquarabia demonstrates Dewan Architects + Engineers' ability to deliver highly complex entertainment destinations where conventional building disciplines intersect with specialist attractions, themed environments and advanced engineering systems. As Lead Design Consultant, Dewan coordinated architecture, structure, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, interiors, landscape and specialist systems to ensure every component worked together as a single integrated development. During construction, the supervision team reviewed shop drawings, prototypes, structural installations, finishes, themed elements and operational systems to maintain quality and protect Falcon's Creative Group's original creative vision throughout delivery.

Delivered by a joint venture between ALEC Saudi Arabia Engineering & Contracting and El Seif Engineering Contracting, with Voltas responsible for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing works, Aquarabia stands as one of the most technically sophisticated leisure developments completed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The project highlights Dewan's expertise in delivering complex, multidisciplinary destinations where architecture, engineering and construction supervision come together to transform ambitious creative concepts into fully operational places enjoyed by millions of visitors.

"Aquarabia demanded an extraordinary level of coordination across disciplines and teams. What made the project successful was a shared understanding that every element—from architecture and structure to landscape, rides and infrastructure—had to come together as one cohesive guest experience."

Sara Kakani

Design Manager

"Aquarabia required every discipline to work as one coordinated team. Our responsibility during construction was to protect Falcon's Creative Group's original vision while resolving the complex interfaces between architecture, engineering, rides, interiors, landscape and themed environments. Seeing the park completed and operating as intended is a testament to the commitment of everyone involved."

Mark Newman

Director of Construction Supervision

Project Facts

The following information outlines the key details of the project.

• Client: Qiddiya Investment Company
• Location: Qiddiya City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Status: Completed (April 2026)
• Size: 23,226 m²
• Development: Water theme park and entertainment destination
• Scope: Lead Design Consultant and Construction Supervision
• Sector: Public
• Design Partner: Falcon's Creative Group
• Main Contractor: ALEC Saudi Arabia Engineering & Contracting and El Seif Engineering Contracting Joint Venture
• MEP Contractor: Voltas
• Operator: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation