Not a science center or a modern art museum, this stunning building that resembles a crouching dragon is actually a metro station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

When a metro station resembles a mythical dragon in rest mode, what else can one call it but the coolest station on the planet? Enter the exceptional, striking, and utterly jaw-dropping Zaha Hadid-designed King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station. The late Hadid, a Pritzker Prize winner, was the force behind architectural marvels such as the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, the London Aquatics Center, the Guangzhou Opera House, and many more. In Riyadh, she designed the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center. The Riyadh metro station, a 45,000 sqm marvel is part of Saudi Arabia’s $22 billion metro mega-project, set to become the world’s largest self-driving public transportation system.

The Riyadh Metro launched on December 1, 2024, with three lines operational, placing the King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station on the KAFD line firmly in the spotlight as a centerpiece of the metro system.

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With more routes set to open as early as January 2025, the network will eventually blossom into a sprawling 176-kilometer grid across six lines and 85 stations. For now, this state-of-the-art station, with its undulating lattice façade, stands as a beacon of innovation and a landmark in its own right. Inspired by sinewaves, the three-dimensional lattice structure not only guides the building’s circulation but also delivers a unique aesthetic.

The concrete panels, in addition to their striking appearance, reduce solar gain and provide significant environmental benefits. Inside, sliding door panels on platforms retain cool air, and a high-efficiency cooling system ensures comfort. The station features six rail platforms spread over four levels and boasts indoor and outdoor public plazas, making it a spectacular multi-modal transport hub. All these impressive features have earned the station LEED Gold certification.

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Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s unwavering determination to position the Kingdom as a global hub, particularly ahead of Expo 2030 Riyadh and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, is clearly paying off. The Riyadh Metro project is another bold stride toward bolstering Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism sector, which welcomed 27 million visitors last year.