ROOFTOP RECREATION CENTER

This new fabric-covered employee recreation center on the rooftop of the new Ministry building includes a lounge/ media center with kitchen, squash court with viewing area, gymnasium area with state-of-the-art exercise machines, table sports area for table tennis, pool and billiards, locker room and staff room.

The curved shapes of the double-skin tensioned fabric roof structure and glass exterior walls set a relaxed mood which contrasts with the rectangular geometry of the Ministry building below. The roof form also recalls the shapes of traditional Bedouin tents of the Arabian peninsula.





A Teflon coated glass fiber fabric membrane provides the main roofing element. It is supported by steel arches. A glass based liner provides an internal "second skin" that improves the air-conditioning efficiency of the fabric roof.





Maximum interior height: 22 ft.
Plan area: 7,750 sq. ft.

Client:
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MOMRA)


Architects & Engineers:
FTL/ Happold

Mechanical Engineers;
Buro Happold Saudi Arabia


Zones