2024-05-19T22:39:14-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150255851/house-of-wisdom-by-foster-partners-opens-in-sharjah-uae Nathalie J Siegel 2021-03-19T18:13:00-04:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/a0/a03c722b3e585caa4d59b8b9b0897114.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p><a href="https://archinect.com/fosterandpartners" target="_blank">Foster + Partners</a>&nbsp;recently cut the ribbon for the House of Wisdom in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The project is a modern library concept designed as a transparent, rectangular volume with a floating, cantilevered roof. A new cultural district has been developed in this emirate of Sharjah.&nbsp;</p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/2a/2a5ec7d123e4b1cff338784530edab1e.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/2a/2a5ec7d123e4b1cff338784530edab1e.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=514"></a></p></figure><p>Sharjah is the third-largest city in the UAE. This is the only emirate that is blessed to be geographically positioned near the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and several port towns.&nbsp;<br></p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/00/00c806777c7f3562a9ff6feb0b9d2d93.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/00/00c806777c7f3562a9ff6feb0b9d2d93.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=514"></a></p></figure><p>In 2019, UNESCO voted the emirate of Sharjah as the World Book Capital.</p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/c9/c93d926836a3568d2b45a4092beffbe7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/c9/c93d926836a3568d2b45a4092beffbe7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=514"></a></p></figure><p>The tallest focal point of the House of Wisdom is on the north side. It is a modern, vertical, spiraling magnificence of a Scroll sculpture. Ancient Arabic scrolls are protected by rolled steel plates due to the extreme hot climate and sandstorms. The scrolls are positioned centrally in front of the House, inside a formal circle of landscaping, as a &ldquo;knowledge garden&rdquo;.</p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/20/209b53835d0c443340955e1393fd3790.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/20/209b53835d0c443340955e1393fd3790.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=514"></a></p></figure><p>On the west side, a central courtyard welcomes one into the main entrance ...</p>