Entrant: Saudi Binladin Group Public Buildings & Airports Division (PBAD) and Gerber Architekten

Project owner: King Fahad National Library

Project contractor: Saudi Binladin Group PBAD 

Engineering consultant: Saudi Consulting Services

Developer: Arriyadh Development Authority

Architect: Gerber Architekten

Description: The King Fahad National Library in Riyadh comprises a new iconic building linked to the renovated existing library, underground parking and an ancillary building. The project’s built-up area is 77,500 square metres, which includes a plaza area of 20,000 sq m. The plaza is constructed over an underground parking garage for 350 cars. The library can hold about 2.4 million books, a capacity that could potentially be expanded to 4.4 million books. It also includes a private section for women only, large spaces for business and cultural activities, an auditorium, seminar rooms, lectures halls and rooms for audio-visual presentations.