Building knowledge
To achieve its goals, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture’s goal will attract a diverse range of audiences.
People from all across the social spectrum will be invited to come to the Center and participate in local and global cultural and artistic activities.
Since over 60% of the Saudi population is under 25 years old, it’s a specific goal for the Center to inspire young people to develop a love of knowledge and a broader cultural awareness.
Building our story
It’s been more than three quarters of a century since oil was first discovered in Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom began its rapid transformation into a modern nation state and leader on the global energy stage.
To honor these events, the Center stands near the site of Well No.7, the first well in the Kingdom to yield oil in commercial quantities.
The Center is named after the founder of the modern state of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz.
The heritage behind the architecture
The concept of the building comes from our main business and the greatest source of wealth for the Kingdom – oil. Quite appropriately, the idea behind the architecture has many layers.
First, the main structure is evocative of stones, which provide a protective layer above the oil. Without these stones, oil could not exist.
The design also expresses the idea of teamwork. Each stone in the composition needs the others to remain in place. Move one and the overall structure will change.
This leads to another concept in the design: the notion of energy. The formation is not fixed but dynamic, communicating the energy of the Saudi people.
A world-class center for the global community
When the doors of the Center open, visitors will be able to enjoy an almost endless list of cultural activities, filling 45,000 square meters of floor space.
- Library: Over 300,000 books as well as a digital archive that connects to global knowledge banks.
- Education Center: As many as 5,500 cultural learning events, with a special emphasis on programs for youth under 25.
- Museum: Four galleries, showcasing contemporary Saudi and Middle Eastern art, and collections from Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage.
- Plaza: A cafeteria, shops, atrium and much more.
- Great Hall: A state-of-the-art venue for festivals, live events and exhibitions held throughout the year.
- Mosque: Room for 450 worshippers.
For students of the world
The Center will be the ideal place for school and university students, educators and thought leaders to learn and to develop their potential.
By educating the community about yesterday’s challenges and achievements, and about tomorrow’s possibilities, the Center will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.