day exhibition on German contemporary architecture in Arabia, opened at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) here Tuesday, showcases the cross-cultural exchange of knowledge between German schools of architecture and the Arabian Peninsula. At the same time, the exhibition aims at offering new sources of inspiration to Saudi students and illustrate the advantages of investing on energy efficient buildings and green architecture. The exhibition was inaugurated by Zoheir A. Damanhouri, KAU Vice President for Development, in the presence of Thomas C. Lucking, German architect and General Manager of Gerber Architekten International GmbH, and Christian Strob, Cultural Attaché of the Consulate General of Germany. Strob reminded the audience of the long-standing tradition of German architecture in Saudi Arabia mentioning the work of German architect Frei Otto, one of the first to cope with the special environment of the Arabian Peninsula. “Otto made his mark in fusing forms found in nature with modern building techniques and computer logistics. You may see his legacy not only in Makkah and the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh but also here at King Abdulaziz University where in 1981 he designed the sports tent on the campus,” explained Strob. The exhibition showcases the works of renowned German architects such as Thomas Lucking, Mahmud Bodo Rash, Albert Speer, Richard Bodeker, Helmut Kieferle, Rainer Hascher and Sebastian Jehle. A particular relevance is given to Lucking's work as General Manager of Gerber Architekten International GmbH. The group, in fact, holds important projects in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East that are designed to follow revolutionary ecological techniques and meet the specific demands of the region with temperatures reaching 50°C. These projects include King Fahad National Library in Riyadh that is undergoing a massive expansion as one of the nation's most significant cultural and urban centers, Prince Salman Science Oasis expected to open in 2013, Saharah International School in Riyadh to be finalized within 2014 and an Energy Tower in Bahrain that will be able to satisfy its own energy demand through renewable resources defining a new generation of sustainable high-rise buildings. “Seventy percent of our energy consumption is influenced by the design of our cities, infrastructure and builings,” explained Lucking who held a keynote lecture on energy efficient buildings and green architecture during the exhibition's opening ceremony. “The energy tower operates with zero primary energy and emits zero CO2 actively contributing to stop the global climate change. It transfers the traditional techniques of natural ventilation as used in the historic wind towers of the Middle East into cutting-edge building technology,” he concluded. __
