Mohammed bin Rashid Library

This seven-storey library will house more than 4.5 million books, one of the world’s largest electronic libraries, and book conservation facilities. Built with an investment of AED1 billion, the library aims to cultivate a culture of reading in the United Arab Emirates. Its design, by a consortium of architects, was inspired by a traditional lectern called the rehl. The rehl is used to carry books but is more specifically used for the Holy Qur’an.

Situated on the banks of the Dubai Creek in Al Jaddaf, the library spans 54,000 sq m and features nine thematic libraries. It boasts an amphitheatre, a literary museum, a conference centre, a cafe, and a garden.

The external structure of the building is designed to insulate the interior, reduce heat gain, and help regulate the building’s internal environment. Ceiling windows allow natural light in, minimising the consumption of electricity and recycling water to reduce water consumption by half. The building gets 10 per cent of its energy from solar panels installed on the roof of the building.

The façade comprises inclined electrochromatic glass in a stick system with GRP rainscreen cladding on the standing seam. Inhabit provided third-party technical review of construction.

  • Scope
    FAÇADE CONSULTING
  • Location
    DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
  • Client
    ASGC
  • Architect
    ARCHITEKTEN STUTTGART + ACG ARCHITECTURE + OBERMEYER PLANEN + BERATEN MUNICH
  • Photo
    ALES VYSLOUZIL