Oman’s architecture balances heritage and modernity

Few areas express the balance between continuity and innovation more eloquently than Oman’s architectural landscape, where development advances without diluting identity.
Across cities and towns, Oman’s built environment reflects restraint, harmony and cultural confidence. White and earth-toned structures stretch horizontally rather than vertically, blending seamlessly with the natural terrain and reinforcing values shaped by climate, community and tradition. This architectural language is deliberate, rooted in an understanding that progress need not come at the cost of character.
Omani architect Ammar al Kiyumi, founder of Studio Kiyumi and an architect at Petroleum Development Oman, describes heritage as a living guide rather than a static reference. “Heritage is not something we replicate; it is something we understand,” he notes. “When architecture begins with place, culture and climate, modernity becomes an extension of identity, not a replacement for it.”

This philosophy defines Oman’s contemporary architectural movement. Designers increasingly approach tradition as a framework that evolves with time while remaining anchored in collective memory. The result is an architectural expression that feels modern yet unmistakably Omani.
Al Kiyumi’s award-winning design for the Omani Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, which received First Place at the Bilarab Bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design, stands as a compelling example. Drawing from traditional spatial principles while employing advanced materials and technologies, the pavilion communicated Oman’s identity to a global audience without compromise.

According to Al Kiyumi, traditional Omani architecture emerged as an intelligent response to environmental and social realities. Courtyards, shaded walkways, inward-looking layouts and natural ventilation addressed climate, privacy and community living. By studying these principles, contemporary architecture gains relevance and depth, while modern technologies enhance efficiency and durability.
This dialogue between heritage and modernity extends to interior design. Dr Dina Mohamed Abushall, Assistant Professor of Interior Design at Al Zahra College for Girls in Muscat, explains that Omani interiors are rich in symbolic meaning shaped by Arab and Islamic traditions. In contemporary spaces, these elements are reinterpreted to suit modern lifestyles while preserving cultural integrity.

'The features such as arches, mashrabiyas, courtyards and wooden detailing are no longer purely decorative. Instead, they function as practical design solutions that promote privacy, comfort and thermal balance. The continued preference for light and neutral colour palettes reflects Oman’s calm and dignified character, particularly in civic and cultural buildings,' she said.
Landmark projects such as the Royal Opera House Muscat, the National Museum, Al Alam Palace, and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque exemplify this approach. These spaces combine traditional proportions and motifs with advanced engineering and contemporary materials, creating environments that feel timeless rather than trend-driven.

Interior designer Awadh al Abri highlights minimalism as a defining trend in Oman’s current design landscape. Clean lines, open layouts and selective use of heritage elements allow tradition to remain adaptable and relevant. He also stresses the importance of collaboration with local craftsmen, whose skills add authenticity while preserving cultural continuity.
Al Abri further links heritage-based design to sustainability, noting that traditional Omani architecture relied on passive cooling, natural ventilation and local materials — principles that align closely with modern environmental goals.
As Oman advances confidently into the future, its architecture remains composed and grounded. Buildings do not compete with the landscape; they converse with it.