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Fire & Life Safety and Accessibility at the Heart of Expo 2030 Riyadh: Delivered by Design Confidence with LAVA
Design Confidence is proud to be part of the award-winning international design team led by LAVA (Laboratory for Visionary Architecture) developing the concept masterplan and legacy design for Expo 2030 Riyadh.
Following the endorsement of the Registration Dossier by the Bureau International des Expositions and the formation of Expo 2030 Riyadh Company, the consortium led by LAVA is shaping a transformative vision for the Expo. The masterplan reimagines the World Expo as both a global event and a catalyst for long-term sustainability, cultural exchange, and innovation.
Strategically located between King Salman International Airport and Riyadh City, the site will welcome more than 195 nations and is expected to attract over 40 million visitors between October 1, 2030 and March 31, 2031. Beyond the event, it will seamlessly evolve into a Global Village—a vibrant destination for culture, community, and innovation.
Our Contribution
As part of this world-class consortium, Design Confidence is delivering specialist expertise in:
- Fire & Life Safety Consulting – Developing strategies that ensure visitor safety across high-density event venues, national pavilions, transport hubs, and public realm areas, all in compliance with Saudi Building Code and international best practice.
- Specialist Fire Engineering – Applying advanced modelling, risk assessments, and performance-based solutions to address complex challenges such as evacuation, smoke management, and resilience for iconic structures.
- Accessibility & Inclusive Design – Ensuring Expo 2030 Riyadh is welcoming and inclusive to all, with universal design principles that provide seamless mobility, wayfinding, and visitor experience for people of all abilities.
Collaboration with LAVA
Working alongside LAVA’s visionary leadership, our role integrates safety and inclusivity into the project’s nature-led, regenerative urbanism approach.
LAVA’s design reactivates natural wadis as the foundation for a shaded, biodiverse network of pedestrian spaces, overlaid with sustainable mobility systems. The masterplan employs fractal geometries to enhance airflow, daylight, and comfort—principles that align directly with our fire engineering strategies and inclusive design solutions.
Aaron Mc Daid, Middle East Leader at Design Confidence
“Expo 2030 Riyadh is a defining moment for the Kingdom and for the region. Working with LAVA and this exceptional consortium, our focus is on ensuring that Fire & Life Safety and Accessibility & Inclusive Design are not just compliance measures, but integral to the visitor experience and the long-term legacy of the site. This Expo must set a global benchmark for safety, resilience, and inclusivity, and we are proud to be contributing to that ambition.”
Anam Asad, Principal at Design Confidence
“At Design Confidence, we see Expo 2030 Riyadh as an opportunity to showcase how engineering science can shape safer, smarter, and more inclusive environments. Our collaboration with LAVA ensures that fire engineering and accessibility are embedded in the core design principles, aligned with both international best practice and the cultural vision of Saudi Arabia. It is a privilege to contribute to a project that will inspire generations well beyond 2030.”
Murali R, Principal Fire Engineer at Design Confidence
“Fire & Life Safety in a project of this scale requires innovative thinking supported by rigorous technical validation. From advanced modelling of evacuation and smoke scenarios to performance-based strategies for high-density venues, our goal is to provide solutions that balance safety with the architectural vision led by LAVA. Expo 2030 Riyadh allows us to demonstrate how engineering can underpin creativity while safeguarding millions of visitors.”
Dania Al-Adhami, Principal Accessibility & Inclusive Design at Design Confidence
“Accessibility is at the heart of true inclusivity. For Expo 2030 Riyadh, our role is to ensure that every visitor, regardless of age or ability, has a seamless and dignified experience across the entire site. By working alongside LAVA and the design team, we are embedding universal design principles that go beyond compliance to create a truly welcoming environment. This Expo will set a new regional standard for inclusivity.”
A Global Effort
The Expo 2030 Riyadh masterplan is being delivered by an award-winning consortium of international experts, including LAVA, Buro Happold, LAND Italia, Omrania, Thornton Tomasetti, Barc Solutions, DPA Lighting, and others. Design Confidence is proud to stand alongside these leading names in shaping a safe, resilient, and inclusive future for Riyadh.
About Design Confidence
Design Confidence is a leading consultancy in Fire & Life Safety Engineering, Accessibility & Inclusive Design, Acoustics, Crowd Dynamics Engineering and Specialist Engineering Sciences, with over 1,600 projects delivered in the Middle East. Our track record spans aviation hubs, giga-projects, cultural landmarks, and major public realm developments across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and beyond.
For Expo 2030 Riyadh, we are bringing our global expertise and local knowledge to support a project that will not only host the world, but leave behind a legacy of innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity.
Project details
Client: Expo 2030 Riyadh Company
Architect: LAVA (Laboratory for Visionary Architecture)
Collaborator:
9e Global, Barc Solutions, Buro Huppold, Christine Losecaat MBE, Design Confidence, DPA Lighting, Expo Pavilion Group, Event Planning Group, Gorgeous Group, LAND Italia, LAND Research Lab, Montana, Omrania, Plan A, REDAS, Samantha Cotterell LLC, Schlaich Bergermann Partner (sbp), Space Agency, Think Hospitality, Thornton Tomasetti, Transsolar KlimaEngineering, Tricon, Linesight
Duration:
2025 – ongoing
Services provided by Design Confidence:
Fire & Life Safety, Specialist Fire Engineering, Accessibility & Inclusive Design
Reach out to Design Confidence at bids@designconfidence.me
📌 Expo 2030 Riyadh will run from October 1, 2030 to March 31, 2031, under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow”.