The Tapline Reimagined; Concept Design

This conceptual project reimagines the abandoned Tapline Arar Station in northern Saudi Arabia as a

vibrant cultural destination that celebrates the Kingdom’s industrial heritage while serving contemporary

community needs. The Trans-Arabian Pipeline (1947–1950), which established Arar as a pumping-station

town in 1951, marks a pivotal chapter in national modernization.

Grounded in a “palimpsest preservation” philosophy, the design reveals successive historical layers

through precise, minimal interventions. The core concept, “The Tapline Reimagined,” elevates the

pipeline itself to become architecture: a new linear visitor centre traces the historic route. A transparent

bridge links this tube to the preserved valve chamber, choreographing a reveal from galleries into raw

machinery. Original structures are retained in situ, with reversible actions—rust stabilization and

protective coatings on steel, targeted masonry repair, micro-piles where required, and non-invasive

services routed through access floors.

Delivery is phased for feasibility and early impact. Phase 1 stabilizes and interprets the valve chamber;

Phase 2 constructs the visitor centre and glass link; Phase 3 completes landscape and programming. This

sequence manages budget, enables safe early access. Beyond a conventional museum, the station functions

as a civic hub. An events plaza, shaded promenades, and a café invite everyday use by Arar residents.

Flexible spaces host school visits, workshops, and rotating exhibits on oil technology. Co-created

storytelling with local historians, former workers, and tribal communities ensures living, community

owned content. Universal access is embedded through step-free routes, gentle ramps, tactile wayfinding,

and shaded seating.

Sustainability is pragmatic and layered: passive orientation, shading, and high-performance glazing reduce

cooling loads; native xeriscaping and graywater reuse lower potable demand; a photovoltaic-ready canopy

anticipates on-site generation; and the retention of existing fabric preserves embodied carbon.

By treating the pipeline as both narrative and form, the project transforms an overlooked asset into a

distinctive landmark and a replicable model for industrial-heritage adaptive reuse, advancing Vision

2030’s cultural objectives while catalyzing local pride, education, tourism, and year-round public life in

Arar.