Boston-based J/Brice Design International, Inc. has been commissioned by Saudi Arabia’s Fakieh Group to design the interior of the planetarium at the Al Shallal theme park on the Jeddah Corniche in Saudi Arabia.
The theme park is the nation’s biggest amusement park and boasts the largest double loop rollercoaster on the continent, an ice rink, rides, shopping, and a selection of upscale international eateries.
“Unlike the U.S., where planetariums are typically located within science museums and universities or as standalone educational institutions, the Fakieh Group is popularizing learning about the cosmos by bringing the planetarium to where people gather for fun,” says Jeffrey Ornstein, CEO and founder of J/Brice Design.

This latest J/Brice Design project follows an earlier commission by the Fakieh Group for the firm to design the Miami-inspired Art Deco–style Ocean Drive Restaurant and Japanese Zen Bistro at its Sea Wonders Aquarium, also on the Jeddah Corniche.
“We will create the planetarium interior in an international style associated with Jeddah’s role as a modern gateway city,” explains Ornstein. “It will be contemporary and sleek but without the expected futuristic visual clichés. The surroundings will be in concert with today’s planetarium visitor who has a sophisticated interest in the universe-piqued by Hubble Space Telescope images, International Space Station research, the emergence of space tourism, and the achievement of Saudi astronauts.”
Among the more notable J/Brice projects in Saudi Arabia are the first Kempinski Hotel to open in the Kingdom in Al Khobar and the Hyatt in Jeddah, in addition to hotels, villas, and private residences for members of the royal families throughout the Arabian Peninsula.
