By the MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
The late legendary female architect Zaha Hadid’s astonishing works can be seen around the world, and one of her most futuristic designs is located in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. It’s the KAPSARC oil research center, a pure white hexagonal crystalline structure built with an interlinked, honeycomb-like organizational form — resembling a spaceship rising from the desert.
Saudi Arabia’s KAPSARC oil research center (Photo / Zaha Hadid Architects, the same below)
Covering an area of 70,000 square meters, this oil research center consists of five buildings: the Energy Knowledge Center, Energy Computer Center, Conference Center, Research Library, and a space for prayer. The building was constructed under the concept of high technology and environmental integration, reducing energy consumption and earning LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The exterior of the research center features a porous structure that helps withstand extreme climates, and each building includes enclosed atriums designed to mitigate intense sunlight. Additionally, solar panels have been installed to make full use of the abundant sunlight in the desert region, while all drinking water is recycled, addressing the issue of water scarcity.
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