“Diriyah Tan”: A New Pantone Color Captures the Essence of Saudi Heritage

Born from the earth of At-Turaif and designed to reflect the spirit of Najdi architecture, “Diriyah Tan” brings history, identity, and global vision into one unified shade.

In a collaboration that united design precision with cultural depth, Diriyah Company and the Pantone Color Institute have introduced a new color: “Diriyah Tan”. This carefully crafted golden hue, inspired by the sunlit mud brick walls of At-Yuraif, seeks to encapsulate the enduring identity of Diriyah  - the City of Earth – as it positions itself as a global destination for heritage, education, and cultural exchange.

“By selecting ‘Diriyah Tan’, a rich shade inspired by mud bricks with a warm golden tone, we honor Saudi Arabia’s history while conveying a vision for the future”.

More than a visual code, Diriyah Tan has been designed to serve as a symbol of memory, meaning, and ambition, tying Saudi Arabia’s historical foundations to its forward-looking vision of attracting 50 million visitors annually by 2030.

A Shade Rooted in the Earth

The color is the result of a thoughtful blend of authentic mud brick samples collected from fifteen different sites across the Kingdom, reflecting the layered textures and tones that define traditional Najdi architecture. The outcome is a warm, radiant tone that evokes the golden sunlight cast on Diriyah’s storied palaces – particularly the historic site of At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the symbolic heart of Saudi identity.

According to Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, “By selecting ‘Diriyah Tan’, a rich shade inspired by mud bricks with a warm golden tone, we honor Saudi Arabia’s history while conveying a vision for the future”. The hue, she explains, celebrates natural materials, place-based storytelling, and Diryah’s growing influence as a beacon of knowledge and cross-cultural exchange.

“Diriyah Tan forms part of Diriyah’s unique visual identity – a global symbol of Najdi design and a tribute to the Kingdom’s enduring legacy”.

Color as Cultural Legacy

The initiative reflects Diriyah Company’s broader mandate: to restore, preserve, and celebrate Saudi heritage through masterful design and storytelling. “This unique color celebrates the culture and traditions of the Saudi people and the rich heritage of Diriyah”, said Jerry Inzerillo, Group Chief executive Officer of Diriyah Company. “Diriyah Tan form part of Diriyah’s unique visual identity – a global symbol of Najd design and a tribute to the Kingdom’s enduring legacy”.

As the physical environment of Diriyah is meticulously revitalized, Diriyah Tan becomes both a literal and symbolic link between the material past and the aspirational present. Its adoption within the project’s design language creates continuity between architecture, landscape, and identity – while inviting visitors to form a deeper emotional connection to place.

A Color for the Future

“Diriyah Tan” is not simply a brand element – it is a storytelling tool that communicates values: authenticity, resilience, and cultural intelligence. It mirrors the philosophy of the Diriyah project, where mud-brick architecture is not just preserved but reinterpreted, and where the next generation of Saudi leaders is shaped within a space that honors its past.

With every structure built, and every detail curated, Diriyah becomes a living museum of Saudi history – and now, with Diriyah Tan, it carries its own chromatic signature. A hue born from earth, light, and memory, it invites the world to see Saudi Arabia not only as it was – but it chooses to be seen.

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