king abdulaziz center for world culture by snøhetta

snøhetta has revealed new images of the ‘king abdulaziz center for world culture’, a facility currently under construction in dhahran, saudi arabia. the building broke ground in 2008, and, once complete, will offer a range of cultural facilities for local, national, and international guests. the ambitious 100,000 square meter development includes an auditorium, cinema, library, exhibition hall, museum, and archive.

the facility is currently under construction in dhahran, saudi arabia
(main image © 2016 saudi aramco)

snøhetta was chosen to design the cultural facility following an invited competition in 2007. now, nearly a decade later, the complex is nearing completion. the formal aspects of the scheme are influenced by saudi arabia’s geology and distinctive rock formations that preserve petroleum energy. at the center of the design is a monolithic tower that soars above the complex. this landmark edifice flanks a series of smaller, pebble-like forms, which are similarly clad in an arrangement of stainless steel tubes.

detail of the development’s rounded façades
image © king abdulaziz center for world culture

internally, the 930-seat auditorium is capable of hosting opera and symphony performances, as well as musicals and lectures. the program is complemented with a smaller cinema, while the library contains around 200,000 books, catering for a range of audiences. the exhibition hall accommodates large-scale traveling exhibitions, as well as providing the setting for social events, banquets, and conferences. meanwhile, the museum and archive facilities provide visitors with regional and historical context.

the ‘king abdulaziz center for world culture’ is expected to complete in spring 2017. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

the formal aspects of the scheme are influenced by the country’s geology

façades are clad in an arrangement of stainless steel tubes
image © snøhetta

snøhetta was chosen to design the cultural facility following an invited competition in 2007
image © snøhetta

the fluid and sinuous forms are continued internally
image © 2016 saudi aramco

a central atrium is filled with natural daylight
image © king abdulaziz center for world culture

a monolithic tower soars above the complex
image © king abdulaziz center for world culture

the landmark edifice flanks a series of smaller, pebble-like forms

the building broke ground in may, 2008

the ‘king abdulaziz center for world culture’ is expected to complete in spring 2017

project info:

timeline: 2007 – expected 2017
status: under construction
location: dhahran, saudi arabia
typology: cultural center
size: 100,000 sqm / 1,076,391 sqf
client: saudi aramco

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snøhetta's king abdulaziz center for world culture nears completion in saudi arabia

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