King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture - Ithra, Cultural center and arts facility in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture spans 100,000 square meters and features pebble-shaped structures designed by Norwegian architects Snøhetta, incorporating concrete and rammed earth walls with stainless steel tube facades that create organic reflective patterns.
Officially opened on December 1, 2016, by Saudi Aramco, the center was built near Prosperity Well, Saudi Arabia's first commercial oil discovery from 1938, representing the nation's transition from oil dependency to human potential development through education and culture.
The facility houses a museum with four main galleries showcasing contemporary art, Saudi heritage, Islamic civilization, and natural history, alongside a library containing over 315,000 books in Arabic and English, making it one of the region's largest public libraries.
Ithra operates Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Friday from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, offering exhibitions, workshops, cinema screenings, and theater performances throughout the year.
The architectural design features a suspended 110-meter keystone structure supported by three grounded pebble-like volumes, with the building's form symbolizing interdependence and cultural connection while achieving LEED Gold certification for sustainable construction practices.
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