GRONO, Switzerland, Nov. 29, 2025 — ARX recently hosted the latest international gathering dedicated to Novalis 2029 in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday evening. The event, held at Sharq in Diriyah, featured the presentation of Michael Schindhelm’s book to an invited audience. The evening saw a remarkably strong attendance, with senior officials, industry leaders, and experts engaging in a forward-looking discussion encompassing culture, engineering, design, and urban development.
Taking place in Diriyah – a site symbolizing the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and ongoing transformation – the event gained additional significance, as a chapter of the book is set within this historic context. It provided an appropriate setting for a discussion on how past and future can converge in the cities of tomorrow.
Novalis 2029 is a work of speculative fiction that envisions a day in the life of Maren, an artist employed by an engineering and design firm in the year 2029. Combining future scenarios with insights from prominent voices in engineering, architecture, urbanism, and sustainability, the book explores themes such as the reuse of obsolete sites, energy storage, underground agriculture, smart cities, space travel, and post-conflict reconstruction, drawing upon perspectives from leading figures including Pierre de Meuron.
A key highlight of the evening was Schindhelm’s live reading of selected passages, offering the audience direct insight into the book’s narrative and core ideas. The subsequent panel discussion convened high-level speakers for an open dialogue on how engineering and design, a long-term vision, and responsible development can guide the evolution of urban environments. The conversation also encompassed the nurturing of talent and the crucial role of national education systems in shaping future generations of engineers and designers.
ARX extends its gratitude to the contributing speakers for their valuable insights:
- HRH Prince Fahad Bin Naif Al Saud, Diriyah Foundation
- Abdulmohsen Almajnouni, Independent Consultant, formerly Secretary-General of the Saudi Council of Engineers
- Hamad Aloqayli, Alayuni Investment and Contracting Company
- Aymen Cheikh Mhamed, Deputy CEO, ARX
ARX also expresses its appreciation to the European Chamber of Commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their support.
Quotes
“The questions we pose today about our cities, our infrastructure, and our shared future will determine the world we inhabit tomorrow. Novalis 2029 is an invitation to explore those questions together, across cultures and disciplines.”
— Michael Schindhelm
“This book acts as a catalyst for crucial conversations, because innovation is shaped not only by technology but by the role our profession plays in society. Diriyah is a meaningful place to reflect on these questions – rooted in heritage, yet firmly looking ahead.”
— Andrea Galli, Group CEO, ARX
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SOURCE ARX (Pini Group)