King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station

The spectacular KAFD Metro Station’s sculptural façade echoes the natural patterns that desert winds leave on sand.

The station is the centrepiece of the city’s new, ambitious metropolitan railway system, and is a major multi-modal transport hub for the city – housing six rail platforms over four levels, and connecting with bus terminals and park-and-ride facilities.

Brand: Permasteelisa Gartner Middle East

Architect: Zaha Hadid

Consultant: RMTC

Contractor: BACS

Owner/developer: Ar. Riyadh Development Authority

The project

The concept

The innovative design of the station considers train, car and pedestrian traffic, with a scheme that acts as a ‘spine for movement’ to help ease circulation. The exterior geometric perforations help minimise solar gain, whilst structural efficiency and environmental performance are maximised by the self-bearing structure of the external envelope.