King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture – Ithra

Multifunctional cultural center

Organic, stone-like structures

Designed by the renowned Norwegian firm Snøhetta, the 100,000m2 cultural center houses numerous facilities – including an auditorium, a cinema, a library, exhibition spaces, a museum and an archive. Rammed earth was used to create the long, curved entrance and the interior of the atrium.

The original feel and warmth of the earth form a harmonious contrast to the complex, metallic pebble shapes of the elevated structure. The natural properties of rammed earth in terms of temperature and moisture regulation are ideally suited to the climate and context of Saudi Arabia.

Attributes

Interior wall, Exterior wall, Complex geometry, Round geometry

Architecture

Snøhetta

Customer

Aramco

Time period

2010-14

Executiom

Lehm Ton Erde Baukunst GmbH, Saudi Oger Ltd.

Location

SA, Dhahran

Production type

In situ production

Covers the entire on-site process — from setting up the project-specific formwork & compacting the material to final finishing and detailing.

Prefabricated production

Factory-based production, including the creation of production plans, mixing & tamping, as well as drying, packaging, & transport.

Services

Feasibility study

A full conceptual study & survey of logistics, production & assembly will enable a well-founded assessment of the feasibility of a rammed earth project.

Recipe development

Customized research & development of rammed earth mixture – from analyzing local sources or excavated material to adjusting the recipe to fulfil pre-defined expectations.

Products

Interior lining

Interior linings made of 100 % earth - can be flexibly integrated into existing buildings as prefabricated elements.

Impressions