Construction has begun in Saudi Arabia on the King Abdulaziz Centre for Knowledge and Culture by Norwegian architects Snøhetta (via Bustler via Dezain).

The centre, commissioned by Saudi oil giant Aramco and designed to "reflect the history of oil in Saudi Arabia" - will incorporate a museum, library, theatre and cinema.

More stories about Snøhetta on Dezeen:

Opera House Oslo
Petter Dass Museum
Serpentine Gallery Pavilion
Emirates Complex

The following text is from Snøhetta:

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King Abdulaziz Centre for Knowledge and culture by Snøhetta

In competition with some of the world’s greatest architects, Snøhetta has won the competition to design Saudi Arabia’s new cultural centre. Saudi Aramco – the world’s largest oil company – is the client.

May 20th 2008, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz set the cornerstone for the cultural centre which will house a museum, library, theatre, cinema and more. The building reflects the history of oil in Saudi Arabia and is different from the country’s architectonic traditions with its abstract and spectacular form.

Along with five other internationally known architecture offices, Snøhetta participated in the competition and was chosen in preference to famous names such as Zaha Hadid and Rem Koolhaus.