F&M Middle East Engineering Consultancy Archives

The first of its kind in the world, the new Home for The Islamic Arts Biennale building complex was designed by award-winning duo BLΛCK and Giò Forma architects, partnering with F&M Middle East Engineering Consultancy for engineering consultancy. It is located at the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, designed by SOM in 1981 and recipient of the 1983 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

The Biennale’s architectural design concept is based on volumetric compositions inspired by the modularity of the existing tent canopy structures. The beauty of the Hajj Terminal lies in the dialogue between voids, volumes and their magical sense of depth and perspective; the Biennale celebrates these elements by framing views and breaking down volumes for a dynamic dialogue with geometry.

The winning design of the international competition consists of clusters of volumes in various sizes and proportions, stacked and arranged around a central water plaza to separate functions and to celebrate architectural rhythm and geometry. These volumes provide a variety of galleries which inspire artists to reimagine the space themselves. This complex’s role is to host and emphasize art, not to limit or overshadow it.

Through a dedicated and skilled team, BLΛCK executed the artworks production for the first Islamic Biennale. Starting from the artists’ vision and concepts, we developed the design for more than 40 artworks. From engineering to finishes and details, we managed the build-up process in a fully integrated way with the new building, the existing environment and the scenography design.

Since the very beginning of the Biennale Project, BLΛCK worked closely with the Diriyah Biennale Foundation to develop the exhibition’s operational plan. Enhancing the visitor experience was the main goal of the scope. BLΛCK was responsible for planning and executing all aspects of the exhibition: from ticketing to reports, from ushers and guides to security, from F&B design and management to venue management. VIP and special guest logistics were also managed by a dedicated team.

The new design of the King Fahad Cultural Centre reflects the ancient Salmani heritage while fully honouring the existing historical venue. Najdi’s existing decorative motifs are reinterpreted in a new, modern key that interconnects the past with the future. Colours and shapes, light and shadow contribute to the public’s experience of Saudi heritage in a contemporary way.

The existing elements, like the historical marble on the façade, were preserved and restored, alongside some new structural elements, such as enlarged staircases and new bridges for the VIP and Royal journey from the lounges to the main hall.

The design reinterpreted Najdi decorative motifs, giving rise to a full-height new central element that evokes the mountains of central KSA, covered with rammed earth clay. Beneath that, a system of spatial arches hosts the ticketing area, cafeteria and guest lounges, all featuring special acoustic plaster treatment.

We have completely re-engineered the scenic tower of KFCC, addressing both the upper and lower mechanisms. Specifically, we redesigned the grid structure by implementing the ‘Italian’ model, elevating the full theatre to a state-of-the-art venue.
The entire acoustic has been redesigned implementing also a fully immersive 3D sound system composed of more than 200 speakers. This type of setup allows us to modify the electroacoustic response in real-time, as well as manage sound sources within the space.

The main hall can host up to 2,800 guests, distributed between the parterre (which hosts a VIP dedicated area and 4 Royal Boxes with movable partitions), and the upper floor gallery. The entire finishing has been redone, starting with the wall cladding, which consists of massive, double-curved wooden elements, to the ceiling chandelier, a crafted metal baffle customized for the project. The seats are the result of a special partnership with Poltrona Frau, who created a new chair model for the occasion, called ‘King Fahad,’ covered with premium leather, walnut armrests, and featuring embedded translation screens.

At the ground and first floors, an area fully dedicated to VIPs and Royals has been completely reshaped introducing a strong design element, consisting of double curved slanted walls, covered with rammed earth clay to recall the traditional central Saudi construction methods. These walls create intimate lounge areas connected by a central open space and equipped with premium quality furniture and lighting.
Photography by Shoayb Khattab https://shoayb.net/