Muscat: The Oman Cultural Complex (OCC) is spread over an area of 400,000 sqm opposite Muscat International Airport, a total of RO147.8mn was allocated for the complex.
The project consists of three main buildings – National Theatre, National Library, and National Archives – and eight other buildings.
The National Theatre will have a 1,000-seat capacity main auditorium and an additional hall for 250 people. The National Library will be a 20,000 sqm five-story building, while the National Archives, partially open to the public, will include nearly 20km of shelf space.
According to the tender document brief on the project, this new development by the ministry ‘aims to establish a national cultural center in Muscat as part of its strategy to preserve history and tradition, provide knowledge and competency, and promote cultural and artistic innovations’.
The ministry added that OCC is a long-cherished project of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to create a landmark for art and culture on an international scale, dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting Oman’s past and present. It is envisaged as a vibrant space to present live contemporary art and culture and as a link connecting local and international knowledge and cultural industries.
‘This classic archetype ensemble, with buildings of exceptional contemporary architecture, will have a build-up area of 73,000 sqm and be embedded in an oasis-like walled garden with parking and recreational areas.’
The Omani construction firm Saif Salim Essa Al Harasi & Co LLC (SAH) and Turkish-based contracting powerhouse Sembol Construction, has won the prestigious contract to implement the Oman Cultural Complex project.
The JV led a field of around 20 local and international firms that had originally bid for the contract.
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