Snøhetta
Press Release:
” As part of a glittering program to celebrate Saudi Aramco’s 75th Anniversary, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz AI-Saud set the cornerstone of the King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture. Today’s groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of construction of the new facility that will bear his father’s name.
Located on Dammam Dome, the iconic structure will stand alongside the site of Prosperity Well No.7, the first well in Saudi Arabia to yield oil in commercial quantities.
The founder of the modern state of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz envisioned a forward-thinking, advanced Kingdom propelled by Saudi energy and determination. The Center, which will contribute to the future of the Kingdom and the humanity of the planet by promoting knowledge, cross-cultural understanding and an appreciation of diversity, will honor his vision for his country and his commitment to modernization.
“This company-built Center will serve the community’s needs in the fields of knowledge, culture and the arts,” said Saudi Aramco president and CEO Abdallah S. Jum’ah. “My hope for this project is that it will be a source of enrichment that will inspire our younger generation to reflect on the golden era of Islamic culture.”
A Saudi Aramco initiative, the Center will be open to the general public on 2012 and will serve as home to multiple facilities that will include a world-class public library and knowledge creation center. Designed with a cafe-like atmosphere, the Center’s library will combine digital access to information, connectivity with knowledge centers across the world and an extensive array of books and periodicals.

The Center’s museum will showcase the rich history and legacy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its programs and exhibits will connect the past with the future and fire the imaginations of visitors of all ages.
An exhibition hall will be the focal point for bringing cultures of the world to Saudi Arabia through exhibitions that stimulate cross-cultural engagement and appreciation.

A Children’s Education Center will offer an innovative and creative museum and library designed specifically for children from 2-12 years old. The purpose of this facility is to spark in children a love of learning. Children will discover captivating objects and immersive multimedia exhibits that will incorporate storytelling, video, audio and self-directed study to encourage interaction and true hands-on learning.
“Knowledge creation and innovation are the most distinctive merits of any developed or pioneering societies,” said Jum’ah. “By entering into knowledge and culture partnerships with leading national and international institutions, this Center can be a catalyst for the continuing transformation of our society into a knowledge-generating and innovation-creating one, rather than a mere consumer of such things.”

A full calendar of events throughout the year will include seminars on various subjects as well as performances of plays and musicals in the Center’s auditorium and outdoor facilities. Complementing the theater are various exhibition and event facilities such as exhibition halls, an outdoor amphitheater and adaptable creative spaces that include band and theater rehearsal areas, podcasting and blogging stations, recording and video studios.
Reflecting Saudi Aramco’s commitment to social responsibility, the Center’s volunteer program will harness the collective talents of the Saudi people to benefit local communities. Opportunities will abound for Saudis of all ages and experience levels to help address a variety of needs in areas such as education, healthcare, childcare and youth leadership.
The Center’s unique design is being created by Snohetta, an architectural firm based in Norway that specializes in cultural projects. Best known for iconic projects like the new Alexandria Library in Egypt and the Oslo Opera House in Norway, Snohetta has created a distinctive addition to the Dhahran landscape that will welcome all to participate in the exchange of knowledge and ideas.
“It will not be a place for the elite only,” said Jum’ah. “The Center’s different components will cater to all segments of the society’s ages and tastes.”