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Work under way at the House of Wisdom project in Sharjah.

Sharjah's hitech library project set for April launch

SHARJAH, February 12, 2020

Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) said work is in its final stages at the emirate's ‘House of Wisdom’ library project which is set to open in April.

Boasting an area of 12,000 sq m and characterised by iconic design elements, contemporary Arabic architecture and interactive facilities, this high-tech library and social hub was unveiled by HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah in April last year to mark the celebration of the emirate’s recognition as UNESCO World Book Capital 2019.

The iconic House of Wisdom, built to commemorate the Unesco honour recognising Sharjah’s ongoing cultural journey and achievements for nearly 50 years, is the latest addition to the emirate’s numerous cultural offerings, in which books and knowledge can be openly accessed by people of all ages and nationalities.

The Scroll, a striking monument, stands close to the House of Wisdom, which Shurooq commissioned to UK-based artist Gerry Judah, and was unveiled at the time Sharjah began its year-long tenure as the UNESCO World Book Capital 2019.

The high-tech monument reimagines libraries for the 21st century, based on the principle of flexibility.

The two-storey archive is the traditional library, where members can research and read in relative quiet. It will initially contain 40,000 books which will expand to a 105,000 collection when it is fully operational. There will also be an extensive collection of books in Braille.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Sharjah World Book Capital, SWBC, Advisory Committee and Vice President of International Publishers Association, IPA, yesterday (February 11) conducted a detailed inspection visit of the library project.

Designed by the award-winning British architectural design and engineering firm, Foster + Partners, the essence of the structure’s unique design is the large floating roof with 15-metre cantilevered overhangs, said the statement from Shurooq.

This serves to effectively protect the large transparent building from the elements of nature. To achieve more shading on the bottom portion, specially manufactured bamboo shades that can be manipulated to increase or decrease the coverage from the sun, have been utilised, it stated.

The glass feature also serves to underline the fact that it is a beacon of knowledge in the way it lights up the surroundings at night, it added.-TradeArabia News Service




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