June 5–29, 2025
United Kingdom
Saudi Arabia returns to London Design Biennale 2025 with a pavilion titled Good Water, which interrogates and reimagines systems of access and distribution of water, and our relationship with it. The title of the pavilion is suggestive of the exploration of the highly debated themes of water on varying scales—its systems, accessibility, equity and scarcity.
Commissioned by Saudi Arabia’s Architecture and Design Commission, the pavilion is curated by multidisciplinary design collective Alaa Tarabzouni, Aziz Jamal, Dur Kattan and Fahad bin Naif. The Biennale takes place from June 5–29 at Somerset House and marks the Kingdom’s fourth participation.
Alaa Tarabzouni, Aziz Jamal, Dur Kattan and Fahad bin Naif comment on the pavilion’s design: “The structure of the pavilion mirrors the unassuming, utilitarian nature of Sabeel themselves. Built with a "design without designers" approach, the pavilion avoids the polished aesthetic of high design in favour of raw, exposed functionality. Water tanks and infrastructure are fully visible, forcing visitors to confront the material and mechanical realities behind the simple act of dispensing water. The pavilion itself is not adorned or embellished – it is built with necessity in mind, just as the Sabeel emerge out of need rather than architectural ambition. This is not an object of luxury or excess; it is an infrastructure of utility.”
Context
Water has shaped civilizations, economies, and technological advancements for centuries. While historically a communal and carefully managed resource, water in the modern Gulf region has become a commodity with complex economic considerations. Water pricing in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries varies, with heavy subsidies keeping consumer costs artificially low. Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest producer of desalinated water, supplying over 60% of its potable water through this method.
While water as a resource is important locally, it is a global resource and in many instances an issue. Due to the immense yet hidden effort required to produce and transport water, it is often used in ways that contradict its scarcity, with freshwater accounting for only 2.5% of water on Earth.
The Sabeel, Pavilion & Visitor Journey
At the heart of the installation is a Sabeel—a traditional free water fountain and enduring symbol of hospitality and generosity deeply rooted in the Arabian Peninsula. These fountains are scattered across Gulf countries, providing water to passersby and embodying a communal ethos of generosity. The Sabeel, as a concept, carries a deep contradiction: while it offers water freely, the reality is that the water is not free at all. Every sip is made possible by a complex system of labour, energy, and economics. ‘Good Water’ invites audiences to reconsider the notion of “free” water—not as an unquestioned act of generosity but as part of an intricate web of unseen costs required to make “free” water accessible.
The installation is functional. As visitors enter the exhibition they receive a reusable water bottle or compostable cup featuring text that encourages them to reflect on whether or not to take water from the Sabeel. Surrounding the installation are four screens showcasing a video shot inside a water factory in Riyadh, providing an unembellished look into the process of desalination. The pavilion encourages visitors to drink with awareness and to rethink their relationship with water as a sacred and collective right.
The Commissioner
Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission, comments: “The Architecture and Design Commission remains steadfast in its mission to champion Saudi talent and cultivate creative practices that are both locally grounded and globally engaged. Central to this vision are design and architecture – disciplines that connect tradition with technology, and community with creativity. In a Biennale that explores the intersection of inner experiences and external influences, ‘Good Water’ reflects the spirit of inquiry we hope to share with the world. With this pavilion we are proud to support the next generation of Saudi practitioners and provide platforms that amplify their voices on the international stage.”
