The King Fahd Library, located in Riyadh—the capital of Saudi Arabia—is not only one of the Kingdom’s most significant cultural landmarks but also a flagship urban renewal project by Gabo Architecture. This expansion honors Arab culture and the environment while injecting new vitality into the city’s development. Today, it stands as one of the region’s most celebrated public buildings.
Gerber Architects
01. Blending Old and New
The original King Fahd Library, constructed in 1990, is a vital cultural icon in Riyadh. It houses invaluable Saudi cultural knowledge and literature archives and serves as a renowned local exhibition space promoting Arab culture and international collaboration. As societal needs evolved, the original facility became insufficient, prompting plans for its renovation and expansion.
Gabo Architecture was invited to compete in the design contest. By thoughtfully respecting the original architectural style and its historical significance, Gabo proposed a bold concept of “combining old and new buildings.” This innovative approach impressed the owners, earning Gabo the full professional design contract.
Gerber Architects
The design features an iconic rectangular structure enveloping the original library, preserving its historical essence while revitalizing the urban space with new architectural volumes. The original dome has been transformed into a striking glass dome, with a semi-transparent membrane-like surface that bathes the interior in soft, abundant sunlight, creating a serene and private atmosphere.
Integration of architecture and landscape is essential in the complex urban environment. Alongside the building design, the team renovated the existing park, preserving green spaces and upgrading the public square to create a harmonious, vibrant urban space for the community.
Gerber Architects
02. Energy Conservation and Sustainable Development
Desert climates with high temperatures and intense sunlight create significant challenges for energy consumption. To address this, the project employs layered ventilation, ground cooling systems, and external shading to promote energy efficiency and sustainability.
A standout feature is the library’s facade, adorned with diamond-shaped shading elements that subtly envelop the glass curtain wall. This membrane-like design references traditional Arab tents, balancing artistic expression with functional shading. Optimized for the local climate, the fiberglass weave is coated with special materials, reducing sunlight penetration to just 7%.
Gerber Architects
Gerber Architects
“The core of sustainable development lies in applying the latest energy concepts and rational building structures throughout every action and decision,” says Professor Eckhard Gabor, founder of Gabo Architects.
Gerber Architects
The King Fahd Library vividly showcases the fusion of old and new, tradition and modernity. The integration of Arab cultural elements alongside innovative design revitalizes this landmark. The historic building, rich with collective memory and urban culture, has been seamlessly incorporated into the new construction, emerging as a fresh symbol of Riyadh with international acclaim.
Gerber Architects
Project Drawings
△ General layout plan
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Third floor plan
△ Fourth floor plan
△ Section diagram
△ Facade Detail Drawing
△ Facade Detail Drawing
△ Facade Detail Drawing
△ Facade Detail Drawing
△ Exploded diagram
Project Information
Owner: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Design Scope: Planning and design, architectural design, landscape design
Scheme Design: 2003
Construction Period: 2008–2014
Building Area: 86,632 square meters
Architectural Design: Gabo Architectural Design Firm
Landscape Design: Gabo Architectural Design Firm
Structural Engineering (Competition): Schlaich, Bergermann und Partner (Stuttgart)
HVAC (Competition): HL Technik AG (Munich)
On-site Engineering: Saudi Consulting Services (Riyadh)
Gabo Architectural Design Team
Lead Architect: Professor Eckhard Gerber
Project Architect: Thomas Lücking
Architectural Design Team: Britta Alker, Olaf Ballerstedt, Carolin Balkenhol, Hans Christoph Bittner, Markus Görtz, Juana Grunwald, Thomas Helms, Nicole Juchems, Alexandra Kranert, René Koblank, Nils Kummer, Stefan Lemke, Jörg Schöneweis, Van Hai Nguyen
Landscape Design Team: Nicola Gerber, Eduard Gevers, Till Müller
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up