Ithra, Cultural center in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Ithra is a cultural center in Dhahran, eastern Saudi Arabia, containing a museum, cinema, theater, and exhibition spaces across more than 80,000 square meters (861,000 square feet). The building has flowing shapes that recall layered rock formations and stands out against the flat desert surroundings.
King Abdullah laid the foundation stone in 2008, and King Salman opened the facility eight years later. The project aimed to create new cultural opportunities in the oil-rich Eastern region.
The four-story library holds collections in many languages and draws readers and students from across the Eastern Province. Concerts, theater performances, and rotating exhibitions attract visitors from within the kingdom and abroad.
The site covers a large area, so comfortable shoes help when exploring all the sections. Most spaces are accessible by wheelchair, and air-conditioned corridors connect the different wings.
The Norwegian firm Snohetta designed the building with curves inspired by rock layers and received an award from the American Concrete Institute for the work. The structure uses large amounts of concrete in uncommon shapes.
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