king abdullah petroleum studies & research center by zaha hadid underway

construction is well underway at the ‘king abdullah petroleum studies and research center’ (KAPSARC) in the saudi arabian capital of riyadh. the complex forms the headquarters of KAPSARC, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to researching economics and technology across all platforms of energy. designed by zaha hadid architects, the modular structure is a living, organic scheme where expansions to the building are allowed to grow and multiply like cells – without compromising the visual integrity of the project.

the modular structure is a living, organic scheme where expansions grow and multiply like cells
image © zaha hadid architects

composed of a network of three-dimensional six-sided cells, the project is based on the concept of connectivity. the center rises above the desert landscape, emerging as a cluster of crystalline forms which evolve in response to environmental conditions. the spatial program of the design ensures that each component is suited to the function it serves. the exterior’s shell-like façades conceal the porous interior, where sheltered courtyards bring natural daylight into the center of the scheme. these buffer zones allow a gradual temperature transition between outdoor and indoor volumes.

the scheme is composed of a network of three-dimensional six-sided cells
image © zaha hadid architects

internal zones are programed to foster meetings, both planned and accidental, establishing small areas of congregation and the collision of thoughts and ideas. the conference center will also be outfitted with a large multipurpose hall and a variety of smaller halls and meeting rooms.

sheltered courtyards bring natural daylight into the center of the project
image © zaha hadid architects

from an environmental perspective the design has been configured to integrate as naturally as possible with the landscape, minimizing energy and water consumption. the scheme is on track to achieve LEED platinum certification, signifying that the complex has been built using the most advanced methods of sustainable development.

internal zones are programed to foster meetings, both planned and accidental
image © zaha hadid architects

an area of congregation within the design
image © zaha hadid architects

image © zaha hadid architects

image © zaha hadid architects

‘king abdullah petroleum studies & research center’ at night
image © zaha hadid architects

project info:

location: riyadh, saudi arabia
dates: 2009 – TBC
area: 66,000 sqm
site area: 530,000 sqm
footprint area: 28,500 sqm

architect: zaha hadid architects
design: zaha hadid with patrik schumacher
project director: lars teichmann, charles walker
design director: daewha kang

project leaders: fabian hecker (research center), michael powers (conference center), brian dale / henning hansen (library), fulvio wirz (musalla / it center), elizabeth bishop (facades / 2d documentation), saleem a. jalil / maria rodero (master plan) ,lisamarie ambia / judith wahle (interiors), bozana komljenovic (2d documentation), john randle (specifications), john szlachta (3d documentation coordinator)

construction leads: john simpson (site associate), brian dale, alejandro diaz fernandez (interiors), elizabeth bishop, michal wojtkiewicz (facades and canopies), monika bilska, malgorzata kowalczyk (services coordination), henning hansen, ayca vural cutts, michael powers (structure), ayca vural cutts, sara criscenti (external landscape)

project team: adrian krezlik, alexander palacio, amdad chowdhury, amit gupta, anas younes, andres arias madrid, annarita papeschi, aritz moriones, ayca vural cutts, britta knobel, camiel weijenberg, carine posner, carlos parraga-botero, claire cahill, claudia glas-dorner, dachun lin, daniel fiser, daniel toumine, david doody, david seeland, deniz manisali, elizabeth keenan, evan erlebacher, fernanda mugnaini, garin o’aivazian, giorgio radojkovic, inês fontoura, jaimie-lee haggerty, javier rueda, jeremy tymms, julian jones, jwalant mahadevwala, lauren barclay, lauren mishkind, malgorzata kowalczyk, mariagrazia lanza, melike altinisik, michael grau, michael mcnamara, michal wojtkiewicz, mimi halova, mohammadali mirzaei, mohammed reshdan, monika bilska, muriel boselli, myungho lee, nahed jawad, natacha viveiros, navvab taylor, neil vyas, nicola mcconnell, pedro sanchez, prashanth sridharan, roxana rakhshani, saahil parikh, sara criscenti, sara saleh, seda zirek, shaju nanukuttan, shaun farrell, sophie davison, sophie le bienvenu, stefan brabetz, stella dourtme, steve rea, suryansh chandra, talenia phua gajardo, theodor wender, yu du

competition design team: lisamarie ambia, monika bilska, martin krcha, maren klasing, kelly lee, hannes schafelner, judith schafelner, ebru simsek, judith wahle, hee seung lee, clara martins, anat stern, daniel fiser, thomas sonder, kristina simkeviciute, talenia phua gajardo, erhan patat, dawna houchin, jwalant mahadevwala

engineering: arup
interior design: woods bagot
landscape design: gross.max
lighting design: OVI
catering and kitchen design: eastern quay and GWP
exhibition design: event
artwork: international art consultants
branding and signage: elmwood and bright 3d
library consulting: tribal
cost consulting and design project management: davis langdon

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