From the heart of the desert to a green future; Ethra, the masterpiece of Saudi sustainability

The King Abdulaziz World Cultural Center, known as Ithra, was built in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, with the design of the Norwegian company Snøhetta. The design of this center depicts a series of “stones” that rely on each other to represent the concept of unity and interdependence of knowledge and arts. The location of this building near the first commercial oil well in Saudi Arabia is also a symbol of the link between the country’s history, present and future. (Love That Design)

Photographer: Unknown / Love That Design

In the conceptual design of the works, underground spaces such as archives and museums are symbols of the past; The ground floor, which is the place of cultural programs, reflects the present, and the central tower, with its library and ideation laboratory, represents the future and the birth of thought.

Photographer: Unknown / Love That Design

Ethra Center received LEED Gold certification in the “Performance and Maintenance of Existing Buildings” category from the US Green Building Council. This evaluation system is the most reliable global standard for sustainable structures and focuses on energy efficiency, water consumption, indoor air quality and performance innovation. The evaluation process lasted three years and its results showed that the energy consumption of the building is 18% lower than the national average and the water consumption is 60% lower than the standard level. Also, 80% of waste, including food, is recycled or diverted.

Achieving an ideal level of productivity, despite the high ceilings and open spaces, is considered a significant achievement for the center. The center continues to improve its methods of using resources and providing efficient services to visitors.

Ethra is the first cultural complex in Saudi Arabia to receive the LEED gold certificate in the category of public buildings. Previously awarded LEED NC Gold certification during construction, the facility is now recognized as a model for sustainable and conscious architecture in the region.

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Cover photo source: Love That Design | Photographer: Unknown