It is on no less than 70,000 square meters that extends this center for oil studies and research located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Commissioned by King Abdullah, this gigantic modular building seems to fit into the landscape like a living organic cell.

With five structures, in the form of a honeycomb, this center is a non-profit institution whose purpose is to develop economic policies to reduce the environmental impact but also better control costs in term of energy supply.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, KAPSARC, such a developing molecular structure emerges in the middle of a desert landscape. It is composed of 5 large sheltering buildings:

  • Energy expertise center
  • Energy computing center
  • A conference center with an exhibition hall and a 300-seat auditorium
  • A library for research
  • Musalla, a place for prayer

The 5 buildings are organized around a large public courtyard away from the sun thanks to penthouses supported by numerous steel columns.

Futuristic and organic at the same time, the crystalline white form helps to soften the strong light of the Riyad plateau. The building configuration allows for natural ventilation on the north and west sides which remain open, allowing the wind to cool the yard. However, underground links were designed to connect the main buildings during the hottest hours.

In addition to being an environmental building, KAPSARC has also been able to take part in this process. In fact, the US Green Building Council, USGBC, presented an award to KAPSARC for its eco-construction qualities:

  • All drinkable water from the building is recycled and reused on site.
  • 100% of the irrigation water comes from non-drinkable sources.
  • A south-facing photovoltaic network produces more than 5,000 MWh/year
  • 40% of the project’s building materials were obtained within 500 miles of the site and 30% of the materials were recycled internally

To discover even more images, a new video has just been released, signed Hans George Esch, German photographer. At the 2018 World Architecture Festival taking place in Amsterdam, we will find this building in the category of higher education and research institutions.