King Salman Science Oasis

Project details

• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Architecture: Gerber Architekten 

• Structural Engineering: Bollinger + Grohmann

• Completion: 2025

King Salman Science Oasis, Riyadh. Designed by Gerber Architekten, the project is conceived as a composition of interlocking volumes rather than a singular monolithic mass. Through shifting cubic forms and carefully recessed voids, the architecture establishes a continuous dialogue between solid and space, where the carved volumes become as significant as the built form itself.

A layered façade strategy reinforces this relationship. Patterned GRC screens introduce depth, shade, and changing shadow conditions while mediating the harsh Riyadh climate. Behind the restrained white envelope, concealed colour accents emerge in the recessed spaces, revealing a secondary layer of identity visible only through movement and proximity.

Rather than relying on extensive glazing, the building expresses itself through mass, shadow, and tectonic depth. The result is an architecture that balances environmental performance with spatial richness. This approach extends beyond the façades to the roofscape itself, where varying heights, terraces, and integrated technical elements continue the language of the fragmented composition. Together, they reinforce the building’s volumetric character, while the vertical tower element serves as a landmark, providing orientation and a recognizable presence on campus.