جامع سكن وزارة الداخلية

Was Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz thinking of spaceships when he commissioned this building? Here we stand before the Ministry of Interior building. It is a landmark in Riyadh. This is not just any government building. It is an architectural statement.

The Ministry of Interior building houses the country’s main headquarters. It stands six stories high. Its height reaches 55 meters. It is located in the al-Olaya district.

Let’s delve into the story of this unique structure. Its design is an inverted truncated square pyramid. This is surmounted by a dome. Western visitors gave it nicknames. They called it the Flying Saucer. Others referred to it as the Spaceship.

Archisystems designed this building. The architects were Musalli Shakir and Mandill. Hyundai E&C constructed it. Construction began in 1980. Major works finished by 1989. The ministry fully moved here in 1992.

The exterior design was actually completed in 1980. A Canada-based firm did this. The building was commissioned when Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz was interior minister.

In May 1987, Gulf Construction magazine documented the construction progress. They described the building in its “unclad skeletal state”. Steelwork erection began in December 1985.

Zahner manufactured the dome’s interior. This happened between 1988 and 1990. Imagine the craftsmanship.

The building transforms during national celebrations. It illuminates in green. This is the color of the Saudi national flag. This happens during Saudi National Day. It also occurs on Saudi Founding Day.

The Ministry of Interior plays a crucial role. It works with the Ministry of Hajj. Together they handle planning for Hajj pilgrims. The Ministry of the Interior focuses on safety. It secures Hajj seasons. It manages pilgrim arrivals. It oversees departures at air, land, and sea gateways. The ministry organizes traffic at Hajj sites.

The Ministry of Interior building is more than a structure. It represents modern Riyadh. Its unique design captures the city’s spirit. It blends tradition and innovation. Its nicknames reflect its impact.