The House that Wisdom Built

Sharjah’s newest cultural icon projects its bold ambition blending traditional architecture with cutting edge design

The House of Wisdom, which commemorates Sharjah’s year-long tenure as World Book Capital 2019, is designed to further the emirate’s distinctive standing as a hub of knowledge and culture. Reinterpreting the traditional library as a social platform for learning supported by innovation and technology, the House of Wisdom aims to be a centre for culture, education, arts and scientific discovery.

Developed by the Sharjah Investment Development Authority (Shurooq), the House of Wisdom is considered a model for libraries of the future, especially in the way it merges traditional and digital knowledge sources to cater to every segment of the community.

Is there an interconnecting theme between the building and the landscape design?

The House of Wisdom building was designed to be open and inviting. The basic design, inspired by woven Barasti architecture, is a very simple square structure based around a densely planted and shaded open central courtyard that can be enjoyed at almost all times of the year and allows natural light and ventilation deep into the heart of the building.

The large overhanging roof sits lightly on service cores at every corner, giving the building a welcoming and approachable form. In addition, it is designed to protect and shade the whole structure during the hottest times of day. Externally, a series of fixed aluminium screens protect the building from the sun.

How important was it to reflect the UAE culture in the tree selection for the landscape?

The House of Wisdom is steeped in the rich Emirati culture and heritage and this is reflected in the selection of trees for its landscaping. The trees form a part of and complete the destination’s design language, blending natural elements to fuse with the literary and cultural space of House of Wisdom. They were carefully selected to

reflect the inclusive nature of the UAE. Of course, it was also important to ensure that indigenous species were represented at this landmark cultural edifice, and the collection includes trees, shrubs, grasses, and groundcovers found locally.

Was the design of the space adapted in any way to meet Covid safety requirements?

As the design and construction was initiated long before the COVID-19 pandemic was even a glimmer in the horizon, no specific modifications were incorporated into the process at any stage.

However, sustainable design strategies are targeted at finding architectural solutions that ensure the well-being and coexistence of inorganic features, living organisms and human beings.

The House of Wisdom is a model of sustainable architecture that takes into account the fact that human health and well-being are intrinsically connected to and ensured by the built environment. It incorporates a balance between the concept of open access design and allows for the adoption of all control measures to lessen the rate of infections while the space is in use. Given the destination’s vast open spaces and free-structured design, it is also easy to implement safe distancing protocols.

Why was the British sculptor, Gerry Judah, selected to design the Scroll monument? What was his inspiration for the design?

The 36.5-metre-tall ‘The Scroll’ is an astounding work of art designed by Gerry Judah. This monocoque made of 72 tonnes of steel plates and 240 tonnes of concrete foundations celebrates Sharjah’s achievement as the UNESCO World Book Capital 2019.

Judah is internationally renowned for designing sculptures, theatres, museums and public places in the UK and around the world, making him the ideal choice for this spectacular monument.

His idea to design The Scroll as a contemporary interpretation of the ancient Arabic scroll resulted in a visually striking artwork representing the eternal flame of knowledge, constantly lit and reaching upwards to the skies.

How was the indoor courtyard space design conceived?

Envisioned as a flexible place of learning that would inspire people to come together and share ideas, it was important to integrate the physical building with its surrounding landscape and achieve a seamless flow between the two while designing the House of Wisdom.

For instance, the landscaped spaces and gardens have been designed to teach people about plant species, art and sculpture, while also encouraging young children to learn through play.

The Central Courtyard was inspired by the oasis at Al Ain, with its layered plant cover providing shade and cooling. The building itself reflects a modern interpretation of traditional Sharjah courtyard spaces and adopts the ancient principles of Barasti architecture, illustrating how the shade from the roof and lightweight screens can be used to protect the building from the harsh sun.