Saudi ‘Good Water’ Pavilion Explores Water Access at London Biennale

Modern Take on Sabeel Fountain Highlights Water Scarcity, Infrastructure, and Cultural Heritage

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Saudi Arabia is participating in the 2025 London Design Biennale with Good Water, a national pavilion that explores the cultural and infrastructural dimensions of water access through the lens of the sabeel — a traditional public fountain symbolizing generosity and community.

Commissioned by the Architecture and Design Commission with support from the Ministry of Culture, the pavilion is presented under the leadership of CEO Sumayah Al-Solaiman.

“Good Water reflects the spirit of generosity and inquiry we wish to share globally,” Al-Solaiman said. “It also provides a platform for young Saudi designers to voice ideas internationally.”

The project was co-curated by Saudi artists and architects Alaa Tarabzouni, Dur Kattan, Fahad bin Naif, and Aziz Jamal, who collaborated across all aspects of the installation.

At its center is a contemporary reinterpretation of the sabeel, inviting visitors to pause, drink, and reflect on the hidden systems that deliver clean water.

“It’s not just an art piece — it’s a functioning object meant to engage,” Jamal said. “We want visitors to experience the act of generosity behind free water and think about the labor involved in making it accessible.”

The installation includes a functioning fountain, stacks of paper cups marked “Good Water: 500 ml = one AI prompt,” and refillable bottles to encourage social interaction.

Four short films, shot at a water factory in Riyadh, show the detailed process of water purification, testing, and bottling, illustrating the complex journey behind each drop.

Jamal noted that working on the project changed his outlook on water use. “Now I finish every bottle — I understand the effort behind it,” he said.

Saudi Arabia, one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, produces over 60% of its drinking water through desalination.

The sabeel, often funded privately and placed in public spaces, is a traditional solution that still serves many, particularly in the summer heat.

“Our message is simple,” Jamal said. “Water is a right — not a luxury. The sabeel reflects that ethos.”

A printed catalogue offers deeper insight through essays and photographs, connecting visitors to regional water practices and cultural values.

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