1 | The Prince Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh, architecture by Gerber Architekten International
Science Communication in Riyadh: The Prince Salman Science Oasis TRIAD Berlin Projektgesellschaft mbH The Prince Salman Science Oasis is the consequent continuation of the ancient and rich history of science in the Arab world.
One cannot imagine the history of occidental science without
The PSSO is a science center project in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi
the impressive contributions of Arab scholars. Astronomy,
Arabia, designed by a consortium of Saudi and German compa-
mathematics, and geometry, in their modern outlook, were
nies under the direction of the Arriyadh Development Author-
founded in the Arab Middle Ages and later “exported” to Euro-
ity (ADA). The project is supported by various Saudi sponsors,
pean universities where they evolved further. The Prince Sal-
including the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
man Science Oasis (PSSO) is based on the curiosity of Arab
(KACST), the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), the
scholars over the ages and the profound roots of science in the
Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Saudi Aramco, and ACWA Hold-
Arab tradition. It shows their wide variety of interests as an atti-
ing. The science center houses seven exhibition galleries, a mul-
tude of active involvement, a fascination in confronting the
tipurpose theater, a science park, shops, laboratories, and a cen-
real world that can serve as an example for today’s generations.
tral hall with a food court and temporary exhibition areas. TRIAD Berlin was commissioned to design four of the seven exhibition galleries. Each of these galleries approaches a different topic: space, earth, water, and technology.
Special Topics | Science Communication in Riyadh: The Prince Salman Science Oasis 92 | 93
2 | Space: View into the Space Gallery with planet system and spaceship
Project intention Protecting the natural foundations of life is a responsibility
newest developments in exhibition design and contemporary
inherent to all human action. Its fulfillment is fostered by
science center standards. The first concept structure was pre-
knowledge about the world and by the diverse approaches to
sented in early 2011, followed by several workshops and plan-
communicate that knowledge. The PSSO is imparting the fasci-
ning phases on site. An experienced and accomplished staff of
nation of a technological and scientific appropriation of the
Saudi consultants was employed to align the project develop-
world. It combines an engaging overall narration with special
ment with current standards both technically and contentwise.
exhibitions that are ambitious on an emotional as well as a didactic level. Elements of both content and design are
Engaging in the content: the four galleries
employed to provide an astonishing and unique overall experience. Each exhibition offers an individual adventure that will
Inside the science center, the visitors are invited to dwell in var-
leave the visitors with long-lasting impressions in terms of
ious engaging and inspiring installations and interactive expe-
both didactic purposes and personal experience.
Intercultural cooperation: connecting two cultures
riences. Every gallery has a central icon that is the highlight exhibit and centerpoint of the narration. While the room stimulates the visitors’ senses and attracts their attention visually, the carefully selected interactive exhibits communicate different topics in an easily understandable and fun way that leaves
Throughout the whole development and concept phase, the
room for discovery and intuitive comprehension of complex
project team was being consulted by Saudi experts to make
relations and content.
sure that the concept was thematically coherent, scientifically
The design concept offers a dramaturgy for the entire PSSO,
correct and considerate of religious and traditional concerns,
embedding the galleries in one narrative, zooming in through
and the content was in perfect alignment with Saudi Arabia’s
the dimensions of time and space. Each gallery sets a smaller
rich historical and cultural background. The process of developing the project started with several visits to Riyadh. In late 2010, together with our client we set out on a “learning journey“ throughout Europe to experience some of the benchmark science centers and get an impression of the
focus—from the eternity of our universe at the beginning to the microcosm of atoms and molecules at the very end—and thus, lets the visitor “grow” from tiny to giant.
3 | Earth: Bird’s-eye view on the hemisphere, central icon of the Earth Gallery
SPACE exploring the infinite universe
EARTH our fascinating home planet
The Space Gallery is designed to mirror the infinite universe. The
After travelling into space, the visitors are approaching earth:
richly decorated exhibition space creates the illusion of a space
Our beautiful planet is the central icon of the Earth Gallery. The
eight times as large as its actual size. The walls are covered by a
visitors’ path leads around a giant hemisphere that tells them
billion of stars, making the audience linger in amazement of our
about the planet‘s surface. They learn about wind, weather, and
beautiful galaxy. A stunning model of our planet system is hang-
climate and experience amazing natural phenomena with excit-
ing from the ceiling, giving the visitor an image of distance and
ing experiments and challenging games. The backside of the
dimensions. It is inviting the visitors to learn about navigation,
giant globe can be entered and gives the visitors the possibility
observation, and our solar system. In the center of the exhibition
of learning about our planet’s core. A big installation of the
hall, a huge spaceship—the central icon of the gallery—encour-
earth’s different layers shows how our planet is built and what
ages the audience to discover adventurous stories related to
happens underneath the visible surface. The visitors can explore
space travel. The fascination of manned missions through all
the earth’s interior and learn all about resources and magnetism.
times and even back in the early days of mankind is as broadly
Before leaving the gallery, they climb up a hill that allows them a
explained and visualized as stunning science fiction fantasies
unique view of the breathtaking beauty of our home planet—an
and inspiring visions of scientific progress.
emotional moment of rest and peaceful calmness.
4 | Water: The water playground, main exhibit of the Water Gallery
WATER aquatic beauty and dynamics
TECHNOLOGY the fascinating world of atoms and molecules
The Water Gallery concentrates on topics both above the sur-
The Technology Gallery introduces the audience to modern
face and underwater. The first part of the gallery is attracting
technologies such as chemistry, quantum physics, and molecu-
the audience’s interest to a beautiful coastline scenery with a
lar biology. The visitors enter a room where they feel shrinked
dockyard and a lighthouse at the beach. The second part of the
to the size of atomic structures. A large scale atom model is the
gallery invites the visitors to literally dive into a deep-sea world
main attraction, expanding into infinity on the walls. Each
and find themselves face-to-face with fish, corals, and a subma-
molecule opens a small world of content with topics like our
rine. This room plays with the impression of an immersive
knowledge of the elements, communication networks, light
underwater world using light, sound, and life-sized fish models.
and laser up to high-tech subjects such as “artificial intelli-
The largest exhibit is an exciting water playground with vari-
gence”, nanotechnology, and bionics.
ous experiments on water, its behaviour and its consistency. The visitors can actively learn about issues of fresh water and seafaring, the ocean floor, biodiversity underwater, and deepsea exploration.
5 | Technology: The Technology Gallery is dominated by an infinite molecular structure
The challenge of communicating knowlegde Saudi Arabia is changing. Its wealth—grown mostly out of oil in
ing them to Saudi Arabia, Islamic heritage, historic scholars,
the past decades—is a precious property that should be used
present-day applications, etc. This establishes a direct relation-
with lasting effect and an orientation towards the future. Edu-
ship between local every day life, historical legacy and present
cation and knowledge are the most important instruments for
cultural awareness as well as up-to-date technologies, which is
achieving this. In this context, the PSSO is meant to become an
of paramount importance for the economic, social and sustain-
eminently attractive institution with international appeal. It is
able development of the Kingdom today.
destined to make the audience experience how fascinating and emotionally fulfilling the engagement with our world can be,
M. Sc.
but also to illustrate the urgency and existential nature of the problems that mankind will be facing in the 21st century. The PSSO offers an adventurous visitor circuit and provides a learning experience with the aid of interactive exhibits that are closely related to the historical, cultural or technological transfer of knowledge. Instead of simply looking at exhibition pieces or reading inscriptions on historic or cultural knowledge, the visitors are invited to actively discover the presented content in a physical and playful way. By experiencing the presented phenomena with all their senses, the visitors are able to gain a much deeper and more profound understanding of the different aspects of the exhibition. With a very sensitive and empathic approach of presentation, the PSSO manages to attract visitors of all ages and engage their attention. A broad variety of different interactive exhibits stimulates the audience’s interest and encourages an active curiosity in
Dr. Stefan Klessmann
science, technology, and the environment. All exhibits and phe-
Managing Partner
nomena on display are embedded in a larger context, connect-
TRIAD Berlin
Special Topics | Science Communication in Riyadh: The Prince Salman Science Oasis 96 | 97