Aramco Expats

Inside the King Abdulaziz Center

1. Pipeline
2. Saudi Aramco News
3. Dhahran Media

Author: Saudi Aramco News
Released 2 June 2008

DHAHRAN, May 28, 2008 --  The King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture will strive for the following goals:

• To be a living landmark commemorating the first Saudi Arabian energy discovery.
• To nurture a passion for knowledge and creativity.
• To engender cultural awareness and an appreciation for the arts.
• To preserve company history and inspire national pride.
• To foster multicultural understanding in a globalized world.
• To promote volunteerism and a commitment to civic engagement.

In pursuit of this vision the center will house the following:

Library of the future
A world-class public library and knowledge-creation center will combine digital access to information, connectivity with knowledge centers around the world and an array of books and magazines. The library is designed to foster the exchange of information and perspectives, while instilling a love for lifelong learning.

The center’s Great Hall will be the focal point for bringing cultures of the world to Saudi Arabia through exhibitions that stimulate cross-cultural engagement and appreciation. It is also a place where major community fairs and events will be held.

Through the library, people will be able to explore a wide variety of subjects, including history, culture, the sciences, economics, industry, trade, Islam, art, travel, literature, crafts, horticulture, agriculture, archaeology and music. Using advanced Internet and multimedia technologies, the library will enable local citizens and international scholars to deepen their knowledge, discover new interests and find inspiration for creative endeavors.

The archive will manage, preserve and protect materials of permanent significance related to the company’s history, culture, administration and operations of Saudi Aramco worldwide. It also will provide access to stories and images about the company’s people, accomplishments, innovations, and lessons learned. In addition, it will be an important repository for items related to Kingdom’s history.

Museum of culture
The center’s museum will showcase the history and legacy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to connect the past with the future and fire the imaginations of visitors of all ages.
The museum exhibitions will present a range of offerings and supporting materials, including text, graphics, video and audio to create exhibits that are experienced interactively. “We will do our best to use high standards engaging exhibiting methods and programming. There will be an emphasis on encouraging art appreciation and creativity whether through Islamic or local and international art movements,” said Wafa Al-Zaid, of the museum.

The Great Hall will be the focal point for bringing cultures of the world to Saudi Arabia through exhibitions that stimulate cross-cultural engagement and appreciation. It also will be a place where major community fairs and events will be held.

Children’s Education Center
Visitors to the Children’s Education Center will discover an innovative and creative museum and library designed specifically for children from 2-12 years old. Its purpose will be to spark a love of learning by providing children an enjoyable way to explore objects and multimedia exhibits that will incorporate storytelling, video, audio and self-directed study to encourage interaction and hands-on learning. “This project is the dream of a lifetime. It is an opportunity to genuinely and innovatively enrich our community and particularly engage our children in gaining life-long learning skills,” said Michelle Seaters-Alireza of the children’s learning center.

Exhibit galleries will stimulate intellectual curiosity and creativity. By enabling youth to learn more about other cultures, while developing a real pride in their own, the experiences they have at the center will inspire them and encourage their dreams while building character and citizenship.

The theater
The center will provide experiences - such as educational film screenings, live performances and popular lectures — that expose visitors to Saudi Arabia and other cultures. Events throughout the year will include seminars on topical subjects as well as performances of plays and musicals in the center’s auditorium and outdoor facilities.

Complementing the theater will be a variety of exhibition and event facilities: exhibition halls, an outdoor amphitheater and adaptable spaces that include band and theater rehearsal areas, podcasting and blogging stations, and recording and video studios.

An overhead view of the King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture.

About the architect:

Snohetta AS, Oslo, Norway

Profile: Snohetta is an integrated landscape, interior and architectural practice staffed by professionals across the globe. Their philosophy is that the site and context of any project is unique and provides a strong framework for the design. The design must also accommodate the society in which it resides and incorporate characteristics that extend beyond those provided simply by architecture. They work with their clients to modify a strong initial concept to meet the needs of everyone without compromising quality.
Significant projects:

Bibliotheca Alexandria, Egypt.
Oslo National Opera House, Oslo, Norway.

Concept:
Snohetta undertook to design a landmark building. At first glance, the design is, in essence, a pile of rocks, which represents the substrate upon which Saudi Arabia was founded and from which it has, through the efforts of Saudi Aramco, drawn its prosperity.

The designers developed the broad representation from the stone arches used in generations past. No component can be removed. All are interdependent. The resulting composition is an expression of teamwork.

The design’s keystone is suspended between the tower and one of the rocks, which houses the library. The tower itself is a landmark, rising up into the open air, where it reaches into the future and the world beyond.

Next to the center will be the Saudi Aramco Exhibit and other corporate conference facilities. Together, the facilities will constitute the Saudi Aramco Cultural Park, where individuals and families can experience a rich variety of “edutainment.”