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Ebtisam Kasabri reads a book in a pod in the House of Wisdom. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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The House of Wisdom is a high-tech new library in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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The House of Wisdom, on Al Khawaneej Street and near Etihad Mall, is spread across 1.2 hectares. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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A visitor looks at a picture as part of The Ashes series in the House of Wisdom in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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The building was designed by renowned British architectural firm Foster + Partners to commemorate Sharjah being named as the Unesco World Book Capital in 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Hussain reads a book in the House of Wisdom in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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The House of Wisdom has a collection of more than 300,000 books. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Outside lies House of Wisdom’s key architectural landmark. Dubbed The Scroll and designed by British sculptor Gerry Judah, it is a spiralling and modern sculpture inspired by Arabic scrolls. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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In addition to lush and landscaped gardens, comprising more than 300 trees of 12 different species, the House of Wisdom also has dedicated auditorium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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The library was inaugurated on Wednesday and opened to the public on Thursday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Sara works on her laptop. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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The library is set on an elevated platform, spans 12,000 square metres and has up to 15 different lobbies and halls spread across two floors. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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The lending of books will start at a later date. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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The venue will be open from 10am to 8pm, daily. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Dima, 7, reads in the children's area of the House of Wisdom. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Salman Al Tamimi sits in the garden area of the House of Wisdom. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Ebtisam Kasabri reads a book in a pod in the House of Wisdom. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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The House of Wisdom is a high-tech new library in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GZSGICKK6G3TFWW73IIXI4A7HQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=123f0b0b6c464e162df2e33f9a1e5529f278303439550dc48f2ffd616d3b068d&width=400&height=225)
The House of Wisdom, on Al Khawaneej Street and near Etihad Mall, is spread across 1.2 hectares. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TZKNE5SOBRXW2SD734CDY4J6PM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a9b2dd704c95b1b4e4e87726ec440a6344c0a7db9484915d6e7e29f4f5dda61&width=400&height=225)
A visitor looks at a picture as part of The Ashes series in the House of Wisdom in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LDF3LMWVZFQPEKCL6NGTJQRAKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5667350d2898fe8f59fee85171b1e67b2dd93db29c65d2c171ad9e61ddaed9cd&width=400&height=225)
The building was designed by renowned British architectural firm Foster + Partners to commemorate Sharjah being named as the Unesco World Book Capital in 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TIGNJALM7PXSNSMSV6GNNRICVA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea5723e501e52da6bf339c197fbc6bdb582987c08accf4d3304787bcf075906d&width=400&height=225)
Hussain reads a book in the House of Wisdom in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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The House of Wisdom has a collection of more than 300,000 books. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MZHUNXJFL4AIU2K7EOFT7OSPOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=58162444f1d55dd8ef9cff9823819a588641d18d38c6dd7dae4215a4124b4979&width=400&height=225)
Outside lies House of Wisdom’s key architectural landmark. Dubbed The Scroll and designed by British sculptor Gerry Judah, it is a spiralling and modern sculpture inspired by Arabic scrolls. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5M2UVE2J3EGAO3ZXF4Q2X5BJRI.jpg?smart=true&auth=42ccf45912ea3a9633a5922dee71b763c09a15563730fa839b298a29975d7b44&width=400&height=225)
In addition to lush and landscaped gardens, comprising more than 300 trees of 12 different species, the House of Wisdom also has dedicated auditorium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MNXC7Z2QJNVQIR3Q35JTO2RZ2M.jpg?smart=true&auth=c6ef898f5e277d52bfb9e6eaf3ba044c4d09a1836f2ecbfd461dee8218ab1c7d&width=400&height=225)
The library was inaugurated on Wednesday and opened to the public on Thursday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BHPTSOIJSU5WPTHWQDSX57MBOY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4cf486a40ac16be346ee60e28a45d5369472ff182560d7e25d533e540b526a5e&width=400&height=225)
Sara works on her laptop. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J7K4HBCWLHFQW24IHOFCVQC3ZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=c7ec33ccb80e0aa93805ebdec2e5959f7a0bf6496a5c3fb8c4a25031930ad6a8&width=400&height=225)
The library is set on an elevated platform, spans 12,000 square metres and has up to 15 different lobbies and halls spread across two floors. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YFK743X2GRBCEQOTC6H2JEMSHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=47c5b1b977d7bc126188a39005cd8a75dea3cc998f950c41f0a5690b2e54e160&width=400&height=225)
The lending of books will start at a later date. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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The venue will be open from 10am to 8pm, daily. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Dima, 7, reads in the children's area of the House of Wisdom. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Salman Al Tamimi sits in the garden area of the House of Wisdom. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Ebtisam Kasabri reads a book in a pod in the House of Wisdom. Chris Whiteoak / The National
House of Wisdom: UAE authors and cultural figures hail 'library of the future' as it opens to public
The site is home to ore than 300,000 books
![Saeed Saeed](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fdfd6c0d0-f148-4163-b51c-fe3b293b0f9d.png?smart=true&auth=fbad4a9efbd3b8c272380498534cedd4e4b64afad5f5593a426d913b1da43080&width=70&height=70)
Saeed Saeed
10 December, 2020
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