SQUARES CENTER, SAUDI ARABIA

Concept for an entertainment center in Al-Khobar, enveloped by a thin precast concrete shell inspired by the sea snail Turritella terebra, with the caustic light of the sea inside. Concept 2021.

SQUARES CENTER, SAUDI ARABIA

Project

Project description:
SQUARES Center is a unique space at a central intersection of interest for the city of Al-Khobar. The concept was inspired by the nearby sea and by the natural form of one of its most common shells, Turritella terebra, a sea snail whose long, tower-like shell resembles a drill. The center can therefore also be called the “SeaShell entertainment center”.

Inside, under the protective, thick shell, visitors find a shelter from the external environment and a unique effect, the caustic effect: the patches of light that the waves draw on the seabed, as if walking under the sea.

Construction:
The envelope is a shell system. Shells are among the most efficient load-bearing systems: the loads are carried by in-plane forces, so very thin and economic structures result. Modular precast arches form the skeleton of the envelope; thin precast concrete shell segments fill the spaces between the arches. All modules are post-tensioned into a rigid system with a uniform fair-faced concrete finish and a very quick construction procedure. In some parts, concrete modules can be replaced by glass modules to bring natural light inside. The interior building is a precast concrete frame with hybrid slabs, enveloped by the independent shell.

Place
Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Year
2021
Status
Concept
Area
Common areas about 19,500 sqm; underground about 18,000 sqm; maximum height 33 m
Role
Architectural concept design
Partners
schlaich bergermann partner (structural concept)
Construction
Precast concrete arches and thin shell segments, post-tensioned; glass modules
Budget
Concept estimate about €55 million
Photos
Renders: Nir Sivan Architects
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: Night view of the glass-and-shell entrance (card)
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: Night view of the glass-and-shell entrance (card)
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: main facade seen from the street, whole building with people (render)
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: construction sequence of the precast concrete and glass shell, step 1 of 7, Precast arc modules (reinforced concrete, assembled in situ)
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: construction sequence of the precast concrete and glass shell, step 2 of 7, Main arc structure
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: construction sequence of the precast concrete and glass shell, step 3 of 7, Precast shell modules, construction
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: construction sequence of the precast concrete and glass shell, step 4 of 7, Bay 01: concrete shell modules
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: construction sequence of the precast concrete and glass shell, step 5 of 7, Bay 02: tempered glass panels in the shell
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: construction sequence of the precast concrete and glass shell, step 6 of 7, Concrete finish and glass shell
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: construction sequence of the precast concrete and glass shell, step 7 of 7, Concrete finish: the complete shell
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: day view of the shell envelope from the avenue (render)
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: precast concrete shell volumes reflected in the water channel (render)
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: garden and the perforated copper canopy (render)
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: courtyard under the perforated copper canopy (render)
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: interior atrium with the caustic light of the sea on the ceiling (render)
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: night view from the street (render)
Nir Sivan Architects – SQUARES Center, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: elevated view along the street (render)

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