Bahrain’s First Indoor Equestrian Arena at the Royal Stables Complex

The royal stables in Zallaq already carry a distinct architectural identity shaped by Bahraini building traditions. When architectural and interior design studio Palm & Palazzo was commissioned to design an indoor horse arena within the site, the brief was to create a training facility that responds to the existing character of its surroundings while accommodating the requirements of Bahrain's national dressage team.

Photo by Nour El Refai

The project, known as the Alfursan indoor horse arena, forms part of the wider royal stables complex. Designed as an indoor facility for dressage training, an equestrian discipline where horse and rider perform a series of controlled movements guided by subtle cues and years of training, the arena introduces a series of spaces for riders, horses, and spectators within the grounds of the royal stables.

“The inspiration was the sport and the surrounding of the plot. Dressage is all about the harmony between the horse and the rider,” says Maryam Alansari, founder and creative director of Palm & Palazzo.

Photo by Nour El Refai

The commission came from Shaikha Noora Bint Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, head of Bahrain's national dressage team, who sought an indoor arena where the team could train within the royal stables. For Palm & Palazzo, the response began with the architecture already present on site. “The royal stables already have the Bahraini architecture all around, so what we wanted to do is adapt that in the indoor horse arena, but with a twist,” Alansari explains.

The studio drew from the proportions and architectural details of the surrounding buildings, carrying familiar elements into the new structure to establish continuity across the site. Particular attention was given to the use of danchal, a traditional Bahraini timber ceiling system that appears throughout the project. “At the entrance where it leads you to the majlis, the view deck and the horse hallway, we have that same language continued inside the horse box area and also the majlis itself,” Alansari says.

Photo by Nour El Refai

At the centre of the project is the main riding arena, enclosed within a steel structural frame. Around this volume, supporting functions are arranged in sequence. A corridor lined with seven horse stalls runs alongside the training space, while a tack room, storage, and service areas support the daily routines of riders and horses.

The arena was designed not only for training but also for viewing. An elevated viewing deck overlooks the arena from approximately two metres above the riding surface, providing clear sightlines across the training area. “The viewing deck is higher than the horse arena training area, so that have a better view. It's a seating area where stay there and chill and look over the whole place,” Alansari adds. Above, a mezzanine level provides additional seating for guests during training sessions and events.

Photo by Nour El Refai

The building is accessed through three separate entrances. One leads directly to the riding arena, another serves the horse stalls and support spaces, and a third provides access to the viewing areas above. This arrangement allows training, horse care, and spectator activities to operate simultaneously while keeping circulation routes distinct throughout the facility.

According to Alansari, the project is Bahrain's first indoor horse arena. The structure itself presented one of the project's primary challenges. “It was a challenge since it was the first of its kind in Bahrain,” she says. “The challenge was the structure itself. How are we going to make it look as good as possible?”

Photo by Nour El Refai

The arena combines a steel frame with areas of blockwork, allowing parts of the structure to remain visible throughout the building. Rather than concealing the construction entirely, Palm & Palazzo worked with the combination of exposed steel and masonry elements to shape the character of the interior.

The site's location also informed several design decisions. Positioned within an open area of Zallaq, the arena is exposed to strong coastal winds due to the absence of surrounding development. “It's an open area. You don't have any high-rise buildings or any buildings at that area,” Alansari notes.

Photo by Nour El Refai

The site's exposed location also influenced the landscape design. Palm trees and other climate-appropriate planting were introduced around the perimeter to create a protective edge around the arena. “Landscaping helped a lot, creating boundaries around the arena itself, again with palm trees and also other types of planters,” Alansari explains. The planting strategy was developed around species suited to the local climate while supporting the long-term performance of the site.

Photo by Nour El Refai

Alongside its equestrian programme, the project incorporates works by Bahraini artists throughout the interior. Integrated into circulation routes and gathering spaces, the artworks contribute to the daily experience of the building and reinforce its connection to local creative culture.

The arena was designed to support both daytime training and evening use, allowing the facility to accommodate training sessions and events throughout the day. Through its interpretation of Bahraini architectural traditions and its response to the practical requirements of dressage, the Alfursan indoor horse arena extends the language of the royal stables into a contemporary equestrian facility for Bahrain's national team.