Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the new King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will serve as a key interchange on the new Riyadh Metro network for Line 1 and the terminus of Line 4 and Line 6.
The 45,000-sm complex will include four above ground levels and two below ground (car parking) and will be integrated within the urban context of the financial district. The most striking feature of the new metro station is the façade, meant to represent patterns generated by desert winds.
Courtesy ZHA.
The façade is design-engineered by Newtecnic to reduce solar gain and produce air currents that help cool the building. The firm’s research team had to develop new algorithms to achieve this level of performance. Additionally, Newtecnic had to invent new adjustable building components and fixing methods for the structure’s self-supporting, 650-foot-long concrete-composite walls and roof.
The result of this world-first-façade and the new techniques used to create it is an undulating, futuristic building that will be delivered for the price of a more traditional structure and last twice as long.
Courtesy ZHA.
The KAFD Metro Hub is designed to support Riyadh’s expected 50% growth over the coming years and is part of a new citywide transport system that comprises six metro line, 85 stations, and more than 100 miles of track.
BACS Consortium is the general contractor for the project, which is slated for completion in 2018.
Courtesy ZHA.
Related Stories
Adaptive Reuse | Jul 12, 2024
Detroit’s Michigan Central Station, centerpiece of innovation hub, opens
The recently opened Michigan Central Station in Detroit is the centerpiece of a 30-acre technology and cultural hub that will include development of urban transportation solutions. The six-year adaptive reuse project of the 640,000 sf historic station, created by the same architect as New York’s Grand Central Station, is the latest sign of a reinvigorating Detroit.
Transit Facilities | Jul 10, 2024
Historic Fresno train depot to be renovated for California high speed rail station project
A long-shuttered rail station in Fresno, Calif., will be renovated to serve as the city’s high speed rail (HSR) station as part of the California High-Speed Rail Authority system, the nation’s first high speed rail project. California’s HSR system will eventually link more than 800 miles of rail, served by up to 24 stations.
Transit Facilities | Jan 22, 2024
Top 25 Transit Facility Construction Firms for 2023
The Walsh Group, Clark Group, Hensel Phelps, Skanska USA, and Hill International top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest transit facility general contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes construction revenue for work related to bus terminals, rail terminals, and transit stations.
Transit Facilities | Jan 22, 2024
Top 40 Transit Facility Engineering Firms for 2023
AECOM, Jacobs, EXP, WSP, and Arup head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest transit facility engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes design revenue for work related to bus terminals, rail terminals, and transit stations.
Transit Facilities | Jan 22, 2024
Top 40 Transit Facility Architecture Firms for 2023
Perkins&Will, HDR, Gensler, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and HNTB top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest transit facility architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes design revenue for work related to bus terminals, rail terminals, and transit stations.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Jan 17, 2024
Waterproofing deep foundations for new construction
This continuing education course, by Walter P Moore's Amos Chan, P.E., BECxP, CxA+BE, covers design considerations for below-grade waterproofing for new construction, the types of below-grade systems available, and specific concerns associated with waterproofing deep foundations.
Transit Facilities | Dec 4, 2023
6 guideposts for cities to create equitable transit-oriented developments
Austin, Texas, has developed an ETOD Policy Toolkit Study to make transit-oriented developments more equitable for current and future residents and businesses.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 115 Architecture Engineering Firms for 2023
Stantec, HDR, Page, HOK, and Arcadis North America top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture engineering (AE) firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
2023 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
A record 552 AEC firms submitted data for BD+C's 2023 Giants 400 Report. The final report includes 137 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 175 Architecture Firms for 2023
Gensler, HKS, Perkins&Will, Corgan, and Perkins Eastman top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
