King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre
King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC) is a non-profit that focuses on ways to effectively utilize energy more efficiently. This building resides in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was designed by Zaha Hadid. The build was finished in 2017, after her death. This project was the first of Zaha Hadid to be awarded LEED Platinum certification by the US Green Building Council because of how the building minimizes its energy consumption by responding to the environmental conditions surrounding it. Hadid designed a hexagonal prismatic structure which ultimately requires the least amount of materials by creating a “lattice of cells within a given volume” according to her website.
Hadid also looked to a future need to expand, and effectively designed this building to accommodate exterior changes without compromising the overall exterior design. With a honeycombed, hexagonal structure, Hadid created a strong outer shell to help protect the building from the extreme weather conditions. It is clear that every aspect of this building was well-thought out to maximize its potential. The building provides natural light, increased opportunity to connect, and positively impactful building elements. The exterior shell and design resembles that of a crystal, and contrasts the desert that surrounds it.
