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Scented Echoes: A Saudi Tale by Duccio Grassi Architects

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In the heart of Riyadh, a new fragrance boutique is quietly rewriting the language of retail design. Mansam – a project by Duccio Grassi Architects – blends memory and modernity, delivering an immersive spatial experience where every detail draws from the architectural soul of Saudi Arabia while pushing its visual narrative forward.

The design pays deep homage to the Al Najd region, the cradle of the Al Saud dynasty, known for its earthy mud-brick structures and the evocative remnants of old Al Diriyah. Here, heritage is not replicated, but reinterpreted with a refined eye. The signature triangular ventilation windows typical of Najdi homes are transformed into softly lit fragrance niches. Meanwhile, the vivid blue wooden window frames from homes in the mountainous western regions – Medina and Mecca – inspire the display alcoves for incense, their hues echoing both memory and modern craftsmanship.

Image copyright: @Dua Photography Studio
Image copyright: @Dua Photography Studio
Image copyright: @Dua Photography Studio
Image copyright: @Dua Photography Studio

Materiality plays a starring role. Earth-toned plaster wraps both walls and ceilings, evoking the texture and colour of desert architecture, while exotic woods – historically imported via Jeddah – add subtle richness to the façade and display details. Incense alcoves are framed in painted blue wood, a subtle nod to regional tradition. The floor, in striking red travertine from across the Gulf in Iran, introduces a dual reference: the deep reds of Arabian carpets and the warm glow of the desert at sunset.

Image copyright: @Dua Photography Studio
Image copyright: @Dua Photography Studio

In a place where scent is story, light becomes narration. Apart from the striking chandelier above the incense table, lighting is deliberately concealed. Instead, it becomes structure – emerging in the form of glowing arches, thin lines, or the brand’s own logo. In one standout element, transparent acrylic niches allow light alone to define small-scale traditional Arabic arches, suspending perfume in a dimension that feels both sacred and surreal.

Image copyright: @Dua Photography Studio
Image copyright: @Dua Photography Studio
Image copyright: @Dua Photography Studio
Image copyright: @Dua Photography Studio

Spatially, the boutique draws visitors in with a clear visual axis visible from the outside. Concentric circular layers guide the journey inward, leading to a central perfume bottle – the conceptual heart of the space. While much of the store references deep-rooted heritage, this core installation speaks of curiosity and what lies ahead. It’s a subtle gesture toward Saudi Arabia’s evolving identity and its ambitious vision for the future.

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