King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC)

Lead Designers Jean Sundin, Enrique Peiniger, Markus Fuerderer

Entry Description

Tailored lighting schemes dramatically shape the parametric, sculptural spaces of this iconic research campus, including an Office Building, Conference Center, Library, IT Center and Place of Worship. The corporate building complex is interconnected by textile canopies with accentuated columns, choreographed downlighting and uplit “hoods” to create a serene harmony of light in the central courtyard.

Atria are filled with daylight from central skylights. At night, precisely tuned floodlights provide the primary layer of illumination. Selected vertical surfaces are wall-washed to translate the prismatic notion of the hexagonal character to a comprehensive nighttime experience. To further infuse the underlying angular directionality, linear light bands run in straight runs throughout all interiors.

As spiritual center, the Musalla is a symbolic embodiment of light. Tunable backlit screen illumination is the transformative element generating emotion as experiential journey for worshipers