Current Situation and Solution: PVDF Tensile Facade Application for King Fahad National Library
King Fahad National Library, one of the largest and most iconic cultural buildings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was completed in November 2013 after five years of construction, under the leadership of Professor Eckhard Gerber and his team. Gerber Architecture. The project is located in a prime location in Riyadh, at the intersection of two main traffic axes and a large square. The special feature of this project is the integration of the old cross-shaped building with a new 5-storey construction, creating a "building within a building" style under a common roof. This is a unique intersection between the modernity of materials and advanced construction techniques while still preserving the Arab cultural identity.
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Technical Requirements Analysis & Solution Context
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, has a harsh desert climate with outdoor temperatures reaching $50^\circ C$ in the summer, posing a major challenge in controlling solar radiation and indoor temperatures. At the same time, as a national library, the building needs to optimize natural light to create an ideal reading environment that encourages knowledge exchange without causing glare or increasing temperatures. This context requires a facade solution that is not only effective in heat and light protection but also aesthetically pleasing, unique and reflective of the local cultural identity. Traditional facade solutions often fail to simultaneously meet these complex requirements of environmental performance and symbolic architectural value.
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Technical Solutions
The Tensile Facade PVDF solution applied at the King Fahad National Library is a typical example of using tensile membrane architectural technology to solve complex environmental and aesthetic problems.
Structure and function of Tensile Facade PVDF
The special feature of this complex is the appearance of the new building surface. The entire surrounding glass wall is combined with the Tensile Facade PVDF covering membrane - a system of special, white, diamond-shaped fabric panels. These panels are supported by a steel cable structure, which can withstand three-dimensional tensile forces, forming semi-open, semi-closed sunshades, covering the outside of the glass door system to block out harsh sunlight. The architect also calculated and optimized the shape and arrangement of this Tensile Facade PVDF covering membrane according to the apparent movement of the local sun. This helps to reasonably distribute light throughout the entire library space, while the building can effectively withstand radiation from sunlight and outside temperatures up to $50^\circ C$ in the summer.
PVDF material and integrated lighting
PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) material is outstanding for its resistance to harsh weather conditions, high durability and self-cleaning surface properties. The choice of PVDF not only ensures shielding and sustainable performance but also contributes to the aesthetics of the building. More specifically, this Tensile Facade PVDF membrane is combined with an integrated lighting system. At night, the building facade will stand out in soft white light, turning the library into a cultural beacon of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - a special environment that encourages the exchange of knowledge.
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Results and Performance Evaluation
The application of PVDF Tensile Facade at the King Fahad National Library has brought many outstanding results. This solution not only successfully controlled the solar radiation and harsh temperatures of Riyadh, but also optimized the distribution of natural light, creating an ideal environment for studying and researching. Architecturally, the diamond-shaped tensile fabric facade system has created a unique, modern appearance, while still maintaining the Arabic cultural identity, turning the library into an iconic building. The ability to integrate night lighting further enhances the aesthetic value and the role of the library as a cultural beacon in the city.
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Contact Technical Consulting
Flexiiform is proud to be one of the leading units in Vietnam providing solutions for designing and constructing tensioned canvas. With its predecessor originating from the company FasTech, Flexiiform team gathers experts with over 10 years of experience in the industry along with a team of consultants providing the right solutions according to the requirements for a variety of models and projects at home and abroad. We are committed to designing, manufacturing and constructing quality projects according to international standards, providing unique, sustainable and highly aesthetic solutions, similar to the application of Tensile Facade PVDF at the King Fahad National Library. To learn more about Other Flexiiform products, please visit the website.
If you want to own a unique solution, with its own identity created from the Tensile Facade PVDF membrane system for your project, please contact us for in-depth advice and detailed quotation.
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