I had previously called this the "sail" building, which was a misnomer because the rhomboid textile awnings were designed to resemble traditional Arab tents, a common motif in this country. It’s actually a more interesting building than I had imagined (as I have now done some reading on it), but what is visible from the street encloses the original library and dome, utilizing monument preservation principles. It is also described as one of the most important cultural buildings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia http://www.archdaily.com/469088/king-fahad-national-library-gerber-architekten and looks to be very impressive inside as well. Now I really have to go back because “At night the façade glows with changing colors and becomes the city’s cultural lighthouse.”

Another view of the library, posted more than two years ago.