Umm Al-Qura University
It can be fairly said that the most striking feature at the International Exhibition and Conference on Higher Education (IECHE) was the aesthetic design of the UQU pavilion. The pavilion successfully brought the distinct features of the Islamic architectural heritage back into focus, and gave the visitors a glimpse of the dimensions of the unique Islamic heritage that prevailed in the Hijaz area more than half a century ago.
The aesthetic and creative design of the UQU pavilion reflected the essence of the architectural knowledge attained by the UQU, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, serving the indirect objectives related to the Executive Program under the Saudi Vision 2030 delineated in the booklet of "The Guests of the Merciful" program, which is intended to preserve and promote the Kingdom's Arab, Islamic, and national heritage.
Celebrating the aesthetic and creative design of the UQU pavilion inspired by the Islamic architectural heritage was the first determinant of the students of the Department of Interior Design and the supervisors of the academic staff members of the College of Designs. In this context, Dr. Suhail Al-Harbi, the Vice Dean of the College and the supervisor of the UQU participation at the IECHE, underlined that the students' participation in building the artistic identity of the UQU pavilion achieved the college's strategies in bridging the gap between theory and practice in the areas of construction and design.
Moreover, Dr. Suhail Al-Harbi underlined that the design of the UQU pavilion was based on its unique visual identity, employing the Islamic star-shaped motifs. Such a unique identity became evident upon stepping into the UQU pavilion, given the fact that the star-shaped motifs were one of the most important geometric patterns used in decorating woodwork in Islamic architecture.
The Islamic star-shaped motifs were best highlighted in the design of the UQU pavilion, thanks to the artistic team's aesthetic choices, through the use of wooden seats allocated for the visitors, who were keen to note the artistic arrangement and take selfies at the UQU pavilion. The wooden seats were dyed with brown and turquoise blue to enhance their aesthetic splendor, and be in perfect harmony with the woodwork made of wood veneers and shells that added a modern aesthetic beauty to the place.
The testimonials of officials and visitors best reflected the beauty of the UQU pavilion. For instance, His Excellency Dr. Ismail Al-Bishri, the Director of Al-Jouf University, during his talk with the Media Center, expressed his admiration of the students' participation in building and designing the UQU pavilion, stressing that it contributes to motivating them, honing their skills, and promoting their expertise.
On his part, Dr. Ahmad Al Faya`, the Dean of Postgraduate Studies at King Khalid University in Abha, confirmed that the UQU pavilion was one of the distinctive pavilions, whose unique visual design borrowed heavily from the Islamic Hijazi heritage of Makkah.
Moreover, Eng. Tufail Al-Yusuf, the Director General of Public Relations and Media at Imam Abdul-Rahman bin Faisal University in Dammam, said that the UQU pavilion was considered one of the most important pavilions at the IECHE as it attracted the visitors the most. He explained that the unique design of the UQU pavilion combined the Hijazi architecture legacy and architectural modernity, lauding the ability of the skilled designers to employ the empty spaces at the pavilion in an aesthetic and artistic manner that added to the beauty of the design.
Given the distinct aesthetic design of the UQU pavilion, the official publication of the IECHE was issued, in its fourth and latest edition, under the title, "Umm Al Qura University Pavilion Reflects the Beauty of Makkan Architecture".
