The honeycomb of energy research where architecture meets the dunes.
The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) is an advisory organization specializing in energy economics, climate, and sustainability that seeks to advance Saudi Arabia’s energy sector and inform global policies through evidence-based advice and applied research. It is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In 2020 KAPSARC was ranked by the University of Pennsylvania Think Tank and Civil Societies Program as 12th place out of 60th in its list of global top Energy and Resource Policy think tanks. It was ranked 15th out of 103 in the MENA Think Tank Index 2019. In 2023, the center was accredited with observer status by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), actively participating in global dialogues about energy, climate, and the environment, in addition to its role as an observer to climate negotiations in the UN Climate Change Conference.
Featured in Zaha Hadid's definitive monograph, Zaha Hadid. Complete Works 1979–Today. 45th Ed.
Visitor Guide
Observe the 'wind catchers' on the roof; they are designed to naturally ventilate the courtyards during the summer.
The central courtyard at midday to capture the 'honeycomb' shadows cast by the voronoi roof.
Private research institution. Tours must be pre-arranged via the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center website.
The campus uses a 'cellular' geometry that allows it to expand or contract like a living organism.
2 hours
Design & Structure
Computational optimization was used to minimize the building's solar exposure while maximizing natural ventilation.
Composite white shells and high-performance glass; designed to reflect 80% of solar radiation.
The modular, six-sided cells are linked to form a single continuous space-frame that sheds wind and sand.
See Together
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center?+
King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center was designed by Zaha Hadid and completed in 2010. It is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Where is King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center located?+
King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Its coordinates are 24.8754°, 46.7219°.
When was King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center built?+
King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center was completed in 2010. It was designed by Zaha Hadid.
Can I visit King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center?+
King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center is a real building in Riyadh that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.