UK-BASED international consultancy and construction firm Mace has been appointed as project and cost manager for the development of the iconic Oman Cultural Complex (OCC) in Muscat, Oman.

The OCC was a concept developed by Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Culture to establish a national centre of culture as part of its strategy to promote cultural and artistic innovations, in addition to creating a landmark location of international scale.

To be built over a sprawling 400,000 sq m site in the upscale Airport Heights district of the capital city, the OCC is expected to be the first of its kind in the Middle East, hosting three major buildings of national interest.

It will comprise the National Library with a capacity to host five million volumes, the National Archives, which will act as a four-storey exhibition space, public event area and a research and administration wing; and the National Theatre, which will be able to accommodate more than 1,000 people.

These structures are proposed to be clustered under a massive perforated canopy, conceptualised by French engineering firm Setec Bâtiment. Assisting the government in the design and engineering aspects are: AS Architecture-Studio – architects; Gulf Engineering Consultancy – co-architects; engineering Setec Bâtiment; acoustics – AVA; and environmental consultancy – Eco-Cités.