Arabian Journeys is organized around a meandering Connection Zone from which five topic zones branch off. Above and around visitors, dynamically shaped projection ribbons carry continuous panorama films that visually bind the spaces together.

Each topic zone focuses on a specific natural or cultural space and is introduced by key exhibits and short texts that set the tone. Color schemes, floor graphics, and custom furniture echo the habitats on screen, so that the physical environment mirrors coasts, deserts, mountains, cities, and other scenes shown in the films.

Across all zones, life-sized virtual guides Tariq and Ahmed reappear on the projection ribbons. Their dialogues act as recurring points of orientation, drawing visitors deeper into each journey and linking local stories to a larger view of Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and possible futures.

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Visitors move freely through the panorama spaces, first discovering scenes on their own, later joining others as the films unfold around them. They travel over land and under water, encounter flora and fauna in different habitats, and follow traces of daily life in towns and villages, all carried by a composed soundscape that ties the journey together.

The alternation between cinematic moments and real exhibits keeps the experience grounded: specimens, objects, and tactile elements stand alongside the projected vistas. 

In the final section, the focus turns forward, inviting visitors to consider how today’s choices will shape the kingdom’s landscapes and society. On an interactive media table, up to eight participants navigate a rapid free flight across Saudi Arabia, playing through fifteen staged scenarios that address environmental protection, renewable energy, and future-oriented urban planning. Knowledge transfer becomes an active and intuitive game.

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Saudi Arabia wanted to present itself beyond oil fields and stereotypes, to both its own citizens and an international public. The task was to show the less known Saudi Arabia and its diverse ecosystems, cultures, and regional identities within a single exhibition.

The experience needed to balance artistic imagery and scientific accuracy, invite both individual exploration and shared moments, and integrate interactive elements without overwhelming the original content or the architecture of Ithra.

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