The Big 5 Construct Saudi exhibition enters its final day today as part of the January session, wrapping up a successful week filled with impactful discussions shaping the sector, the signing of deals, and the strengthening of cooperation among various stakeholders. The strong momentum the exhibition has seen over the past three days reflects growing confidence as the May session approaches and reinforces the positive outlook for the Kingdom’s construction sector.
The January session was held at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Convention Center and brought together industry professionals to discuss the final stages of construction and handover, supported by practical discussions on project implementation, material performance, and handover efficiency.
The Saudi Architecture Leaders Forum and Big 5 Talks, along with events such as the Architects" Club and EcoTrail, a platform that brought together leading industry leaders, practitioners, and innovators to discuss challenges and opportunities in the Kingdom’s construction landscape. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding signed during the week further reinforced The Big 5 Construct Saudi’s role as a space that brings stakeholders together to collaborate and build long-term partnerships.
Commenting on the January edition, Mohammed Kazzi, Senior Vice President at ” dmg events: "This week highlighted the strength of the Kingdom’s construction ecosystem through focused dialogue, concrete deals, and strategic collaborations. Suppliers, buyers, and decision-makers engaged in line with the priorities of Saudi Vision 2030 and active project cycles. Building on this momentum, we look forward to returning in May with a focus on the foundational stages of construction."
This momentum was also evident on the exhibition floor, where Amir Suwailem, Director of Business Development at CPC Holding Company, said, "This was a wonderful opportunity to exchange insights, explore new collaborations, and strengthen existing partnerships. Our participation was marked by productive meetings and interactive discussions with our valued clients, as well as strong interest in our solutions."
Think data, circular design, and purpose-driven buildings
Following the Saudi Architecture Leaders Forum, the Big 5 Talks sessions took center stage on the third day, bringing together industry experts to discuss data-driven design, sustainable materials, facade performance, and digital transformation.
In an insightful presentation titled "Design with Data: Smarter Decisions for Better Buildings," Mohammed Jibril, Chair of the World Green Building Council MENA, highlighted the role of data and artificial intelligence in improving cost efficiency and environmental performance, noting that buildings account for 32% of global energy use and 34% of carbon dioxide (CO²) emissions. He said, “Artificial intelligence enhances professional judgment; it does not replace designers,” emphasizing the importance of making decisions early on rather than having to correct course later in the process.
In another session titled "Planning High-Performance Buildings Through Early Design Driven by a Sustainability Approach," Tamer Dahdouli, Assistant Director at Al-Dir’iya, emphasized that performance-based buildings must be designed around purpose, resource efficiency, and long-term value—not just initial cost. He said: "Before considering the cost of a building, one must first consider its purpose."
Continued Cooperation in the Kingdom’s Construction Sector
Cross-sector collaboration remained a key focus, with several memorandums of understanding announced this week. NWII.III Interiors and Bayt Hayel signed an agreement covering a number of mixed-use projects, focusing on the integration of wall and flooring solutions. Beit Hayl also signed another agreement with Rock Line, an industrial services company, to supply it with the necessary materials for its industrial properties.
Honoring Sustainability Innovators at the EcoTrail Awards
EcoTrail returned this year with the launch of the EcoTrail Awards, which honor solutions that transform sustainability aspirations into measurable impact. GBS Green Building Solutions won the Sustainability Innovation Award for its PHOMI EconiClay product, which transforms inorganic waste into an ultra-lightweight architectural cladding capable of reducing transportation emissions by up to 90% while lowering the structural carbon footprint.
Enviromesh won the Best Circular Economy Solution Award for eMesh, which replaces high-carbon-footprint steel reinforcement with 100% recycled polypropylene fibers, which helps divert plastic waste from landfills and extends the service life of concrete by up to 50%.
In the Future Sustainability category, PowerStack was honored for Solar Poles, a fully off-grid vertical solar solution that eliminates the need for excavation and cable laying, offering a scalable, renewable option with minimal disruption.
Nasser Al-Suhaibani, CEO of GBS Green Building Solutions, said: "Winning this award reflects our strong commitment to developing low-carbon and environmentally responsible building materials. Innovation in low-carbon materials is key to our excellence and to achieving this level of recognition." He added: "This award reaffirms our vision to deliver environmentally responsible building solutions that meet market needs and reduce environmental impact."
Building on the strong engagement seen at this week’s exhibition across the themes of sustainability, delivery, and collaboration, the May edition of The Big 5 Construct Saudi returns with a complementary focus on the early stages of the construction lifecycle. The second edition will take place from May 10 to 13, 2026, highlighting solutions that include foundations, heavy construction, concrete, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing (MEP), and essential building systems, in line with the planning and procurement cycles in the pre-construction phases. Together, the January and May editions form a comprehensive platform to support projects at every stage, ensuring the sector has timely access to the right solutions as the pace of project delivery accelerates across the Kingdom.
The Big 5 Construct Saudi exhibition returns for its May edition from May 10 to 13, 2026, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Convention Center, highlighting everything from the foundation to the future with solutions tailored to projects of all sizes. The event is free for industry professionals, with the exception of visitors under the age of 18. To register, please visit www.big5constructsaudi.com:
