Facade

© Gerber Architekten international GmbH

For the new King Fahad National Library Gerber Architekten international designed a clear geometric building with a generous inner hall in which the old building from the 80s is integrated.
© Gerber Architekten international GmbH The new library is markedly encased by a specifically developed ornamental dress made of textile triangles which subtly plays with aspects of opening and dissociation.

The filigree steel cable construction reflects regional tensile loaded building constructions as well as the traditional usage of textile wall screens. In a region where outside temperature reaches 50° Celsius, the membrane façade with a solar transmission of only 7% gives protection from direct sunlight and yet allows a maximum of daylight as well as clear sight in both directions. An optimization of the façade and the position of the membrane surfaces in accordance to the exact local solar conditions was only possible with complex, three dimensional light calculations.

In accordance to the advanced overall design, the ventilation and cooling of the building is planned with level ventilation and floor cooling. Thus, by methods and technology applied for the first time within the Arab region, the thermal comfort in the building can be optimized while energy consumption is reduced.