BECK, a leading restoration and refurbishment fit-out specialist, along with Cultural Innovations, has been chosen as the designer and fit-out contractor for the Welcome Center renovation project at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) along the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia.
The current Welcome Center will be transformed into an engaging area that presents guests with KAUST’s mission and showcases the university’s programmes offered both domestically and internationally. This lively and welcoming venue is meant for VIP guests, faculty members, students, and more. Visitors will be treated to an immersive and participatory experience.
Transforming the current Welcome Center
The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a research university. It was founded in 2009 and soon became known as a global centre for innovative technology and cutting-edge scientific research. KAUST is named for the former King of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who has a vision for the university to be a hub for regional scientific and technological advancement.
Currently, 1640 master’s and doctorate students are trained by KAUST, with the assistance of an active academic community consisting of 8330 people. At KAUST, people from over 120 different nationalities work and live together, bringing a global perspective to the university.
Cultural Innovations will create the concept and schematic design for the Welcome Center as part of the design and build project; BECK will then create the detailed design, handle fabrication, and oversee installation. BECK and Cultural Innovations have a long and successful history of collaborating to create and implement exhibitions and visitor experiences for some of the most prominent and well-respected institutions in the world.
Creating a unique experience
Chris Lawrenson, board director and Paul Gilling, senior project manager at BECK, recently visited the university and toured the state-of-the-art research facilities, along with Cultural Innovations’ design director, Andrew Wood-Walker, and senior consultant, James White.
Lawrenson says: “We are thrilled to be appointed as the fit-out contractor for this project at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. The hospitality and warm welcome we received from Abdulaziz Murtada and his team last week was truly exceptional. This marks the start of a long and healthy partnership with KAUST, which begins with the realisation of their Welcome Center alongside Cultural Innovations. The new center will showcase the University as well as the KAUST Community, providing an insight into life at KAUST.”
Wood-Walker, adds: ‘‘We’re delighted to have the opportunity to design the KAUST Welcome Center. The KAUST team could not have been more welcoming on our recent visit and we look forward to working with them, and our long-term partners BECK, to create a unique experience that will showcase KAUST’s vision – accelerating impact – and highlight their scientific and academic achievements.”
Earlier this year, BECK shared its team’s experiences of working on the Lift 109 visitor experience for the Battersea Power Station Development Company.
