Black Gold Museum interior architecture

DaeWha Kang Design has completed one of the most ambitious cultural adaptive reuse projects undertaken in Saudi Arabia to date: the Black Gold Museum—now open on the KAPSARC campus—spans 6,800 square meters across four storeys, and explores the transformative story and profound influence of oil on humanity through the lens of modern and contemporary art.  

Rather than constructing a new building, the London-based design studio completely transformed the Zaha Hadid-designed research library (completed in 2017) into a state-of-the-art cultural institution. Of the museum’s total 6,800 square meter gross floor area, 440 square meters of new structure was added—only 6 percent. These limited insertions establish the museum’s primary circulation spaces, enabling the former library to transform into a major art museum with minimal structural intervention. The interiors now feature museum-grade lighting, 14 versatile gallery spaces, back-of-house facilities, and advanced climate control, supporting the conservation and display of more than 350 artworks and major installations to the highest international standards.  

The interior architecture introduces a new central atrium and sculptural spiral staircase, forming the building’s spatial and experiential core. Previously enclosed areas now benefit from abundant natural daylight, enhancing openness, visibility, and intuitive orientation. The interior layout supports a clearly curated visitor journey, guiding guests seamlessly from basement to fourth floor and back, with every movement carefully choreographed to create a sense of discovery.

The material palette draws inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s geology, including wadis, canyons, and sedimentary formations, while subtle visual references to hydrocarbon molecular structures inform patterns and spatial rhythms. Hexagonal geometries link natural formations with scientific systems, echoing KAPSARC’s architectural language. Together, the materials and spatial language anchor the museum in local identity, while contributing to global conversations on energy, society, and culture. 

The studio worked closely with the museum’s museography and scenography teams to reinforce curatorial storytelling. Four thematic galleries—Encounter, Dreams, Doubts, and Visions—are shaped by light, materials, proportion, and rhythm, creating distinct spatial experiences that guide visitors through the museum and the evolving story of oil’s impact on humanity:

Encounter displays works focused on the discovery of oil and its early uses in the mid-19th century around the world, illustrating how oil spurred dramatic changes in ways of life with the acceleration of industrialization, the rise of machines, and automation.

Dreams traces how oil became a valuable resource that reshaped societies and fuelled ambitions for economic development.

Doubts addresses the growing awareness and critical reflection on the consequences of oil, environmental crises, consumer culture, and the paradoxical questions raised by dependency on oil.

Visions looks toward the future with a dynamic approach, reflecting current challenges and anticipating solutions that will help shape tomorrow, with an ongoing program that opens space for dialogue and discovery.

DaeWha Kang, Founder and Director, comments: “Transforming the former library into a museum required a complete rethinking of how people will move, gather, and encounter artworks within the building. Our aim was to bring clarity and rhythm to the existing geometry, creating a sequence of spaces that guides visitors intuitively while giving each gallery its own identity. This project brought together our experience in adaptive reuse, scenography, and human-centred design, with the aim of offering a museum experience that feels contemporary, intuitive, and grounded in the character of the site.”

Sustainability is central to the museum’s design. The preservation of the façades and structural frame, combined with minimal demolition, significantly reduced embodied carbon, material consumption, and construction waste. Durability and operational efficiency were prioritized, from terrazzo and polished plaster finishes to museum-grade climate control and robust backup power systems. 

Established in partnership between the Ministry of Culture’s Museums Commission and KAPSARC, and funded by the Quality of Life Program, the Black Gold Museum demonstrates how adaptive reuse, innovative interior architecture, and thoughtful operational planning can transform a landmark into a resilient, future-ready cultural institution.