Hexagonal pods interlock like honeycomb to form the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre, built by Zaha Hadid Architects in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.

The huge building was designed by London-based Zaha Hadid Architects to provide facilities for researchers investigating the transition towards more sustainable power sources in one of the most oil-rich countries in the world.
With a mission to research the most effective use of energy, the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC) has been designed to achieve a LEED Platinum sustainability certification.

The modular honeycomb formation of the building allows for future adaption and expansion of the research campus. The faceted form of the cells is highlighted by angular cut outs in their flanks and latticed skylights. This layout is one of several passive and active systems that aim to minimise energy consumption in the hot desert climate of Riyadh.

"Hexagonal prismatic honeycomb structures use the least material to create a lattice of cells within a given volume," explained the studio.
"This structural and organisational principle determined KAPSARC's composition as an amalgamation of crystalline forms that emerges from the desert landscape, evolving to best respond to the environmental conditions and internal programme requirements."

Similarly, rooftop solar panels have a capacity to store up to a huge 5,000 megawatts per year, and potable water is...