Architecture studio HKS has unveiled plans for The Arena in Diriyah, a 20,000-seat venue for sports and entertainment in Saudi Arabia that references the country's traditional architecture.

Designed by HKS for developer Diriyah Company, the arena will be located in the town of Diriyah and intended as a "tourism hallmark" that helps draw visitors to the region.

This is hoped to promote cultural and economic growth in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 – a plan to diversify the country's economy to reduce its dependence on oil.

The 76,000-square-metre arena will be arranged into monolithic volumes decorated with luminous triangular perforations, angular openings and decorative detailing reminiscent of the country's traditional Najdi architecture.

Between the volumes, HKS has designed a series of "digital waterfalls" – jagged, transparent facades that will emit light from the interior.

This glowing effect is hoped to transform the arena into a beacon, encouraging visitors inside.

"The architecture rises from the landscape as a series of monoliths, evoking local geological formations and alluding to ancient Nadji forts and palaces," said lead architect Alex Thomas.

"Digital waterfalls animated by light glow between them. The visual energy of the waterfalls serves as a beacon drawing guests to the dynamic experience inside."

A large, paved plaza adjacent to the building will be open for locals and visitors while providing an outdoor venue for live performances and pop-up shows.

Additionally, a retail and dining district lined with outdoor seating space will aim to create a "prolonged entertainment experience" for visitors, HKS said.

Inside, The Arena in Diriyah will offer rows of seating organised around an illuminated central stage backed by a large digital screen.

The venue will also offer different configurations to enable flexibility when hosting a variety of events.

The project is the latest in a wider masterplan for Diriyah, which is set to accommodate 100,000 residents, workers, students and visitors upon completion.

Other projects currently under development in Saudi Arabia include a two-kilometre-high skyscraper by Foster + Partners and a three-sided stadium overlooking a cliff side by Populous.

The renders are by Somewhere courtesy of HKS Architects.