• Copyright. Buro Happold
  • Copyright. Buro Happold

General information

  • Location address
    Jeddah
  • Location country
    Saudi arabia
  • Year of construction
    1981
  • Name of the client/building owner
    King Abdul Aziz University
  • Function of building
    Sport
  • Degree of enclosure
    Fully enclosed structure
  • Climatic zone
    Arid - dry and hot all year
  • Primary function of the tensile structure
    • Space defining elements
    • Sun protection

Description

Although it stands over 27 metres high and covers an area exceeding 9,500m2, the sports hall at Jeddah's King Abdul Aziz University is unmistakably Arabian in architectural concept. Designed by Professor Frei Otto and the Stuttgart architectural practice of Buro Gutbrod, with engineering design by Buro Happold, the structure is a vast and beautiful tension structure which despite its scale, is strongly reminiscent of the traditional Bedouin tent form.

Description of the environmental conditions

General comments, links

Period of construction: 5/1976 - 1/1981

Bauen + Wohnen 1/1981
Mimar 4/1982
Sports Center, King Abdul Aziz University

Material of the cover

  • Cable-net/Fabric/Hybrid/Foil
    Fabric
  • Material Fabric/Foil
    Polyester
  • Material coating
    PVC

Main dimensions and form

  • Covered surface (m2)
    7500
  • Form single element
    Anticlastic

Duration of use

  • Temporary or permanent structure
    Permanent
  • Design lifespan in years
    06-10

Involved companies

Editor