Muscat, Oman cultural complex

Oman

Muscat, Oman cultural complex

Oman

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The monumental cultural complex groups together the National Library, the Archives, and the Theater of the Sultanate within a desert site near the coast. The building is constructed in the bed of a wadi hollowed out by the runoff from torrential rains. This is both in response to major natural climate challenges - flood risk, arid desert climate - as well as infrastructural concerns - the creation of spaces capable of hosting large public and cultural events. The natural and agricultural context of the location inspires simple landscape solutions. In reference to the architecture of Oman, a mineral canopy covered by a fine latticework extends over the building complex and its exterior spaces, filtering the rays of the sun. The complex is set on a plinth, seven meters above the talweg of the riverbed, in order to protect the buildings from periodic floods. In response to the building, the complex is lost within a 40-hectare palm grove, filtering the sunlight and creating an oasis of protection for visitors. Under the shade of the date palms, the stratified vegetation is organized into orchards. Their native species are common to the rawdats: lemons, mangos, papayas, to name a few. A water supply system modeled on the traditional falajs is used for irrigating the plantations.

data
Year:
2008 to 2018
Status:
Ongoing
Program:
Cultural
Client:

Ministère du Patrimoine et de la Culture du Sultanat d’Oman

Project Team:

AS Architecture Studio (Lead consultant) / MDP Michel Desvigne Paysagiste (Partner) / Local consultant: Gulf Engineering Consultancy / Engineer: Setec Bâtiment / Environmental engineer: Eco-Cités / Acoustic engineer: AVA

Area:

15 ha (37 acres)