A Cultural Evening Illuminating the Future
ARX hosted the latest international event dedicated to *Novalis 2029* in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday evening, presenting the book by Michael Schindhelm to a selected audience at Sharq in Diriyah. The atmosphere was vibrant yet sophisticated, with senior officials, industry leaders and experts gathering under the warm glow of heritage-inspired architecture.
Held in Diriyah – a timeless symbol of the Kingdom's cultural roots and ambitious transformation – the event carried deep emotional resonance. One chapter of Schindhelm’s book unfolds in this very historic setting, making it more than a simple venue choice; it was a living bridge between past traditions and future innovations. The attendees engaged in a forward-looking conversation about culture, engineering, design and urban development, inspired by both the book’s vision and Diriyah’s own evolving story.
Exploring Visionary Ideas for Cities of Tomorrow
*Novalis 2029* is not merely fiction; it is a speculative invitation to imagine our shared future. The book follows Maren, an artist working within an engineering and design firm in 2029, revealing a compelling blend of human creativity and technological ingenuity. Michael Schindhelm weaves scenarios exploring smart cities, underground agriculture, energy storage, the reuse of obsolete sites, post-conflict reconstruction and even space travel — enriched by insights from prominent figures like Pierre de Meuron.
One of the evening’s unforgettable moments was Schindhelm’s live reading of select excerpts, immersing the audience in both narrative and idea. The subsequent panel discussion sparked an engaging exchange among visionary minds, touching on how engineering and design can be paired with long-term vision and responsible urban growth. Speakers also emphasized the importance of cultivating talent through strong national education systems, which will shape the engineers and designers of tomorrow.
ARX expressed gratitude to distinguished contributors, including HRH Prince Fahad Bin Naif Al Saud of the Diriyah Foundation, Abdulmohsen Almajnouni, Hamad Aloqayli, Aymen Cheikh Mhamed, and the European Chamber of Commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose support made this evening a milestone in future-focused discourse.
