Book design for the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture ‘Ithra’ in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

The book Telluric began with a brief to document, similar to an exhibition catalogue, the extensive integrated art program at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture ‘Ithra’ in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. A cutting-edge, multidisciplinary institution designed by Norwegian architecture studio Snøhetta, Ithra promotes innovation, the arts, and new thinking via a creative lens.

Telluric was originally briefed as twelve individual booklets based on the bold and ambitious curatorial vision – to procure and commission twelve highly site-specific artworks that spoke symbiotically to Ithra’s core philosophy and architecture. The booklets were to include written content in both English and Arabic, graphic design and photography. Following a series of design workshops with the client, we understood the vision required a solution more ambitious than 12 individual booklets. Taking a more holistic approach to the brief we concluded that a coffee-table style narrative book focussing on all the artworks, was a more desirable outcome. The compositions featured within Telluric are drawn from the artworks, architectural features, and patterns that exist within the Center.

To encompass a vision so bold and unique required a design that met expectations yet did not overwhelm. The solution was to create an elegant book that captured the essence of ‘Ithra’ and to make the readers feel that they are walking within the space – providing monumental experiences and moments of reflection. Ithra are now undertaking conversations with Phaidon for the upcoming publication of the book. Stay tuned!