Birdair, Inc. Project Receives 2010 AIA 25-Year Award

The Hajj Terminal at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, featuring a tensioned membrane roofing system from Birdair, Inc., the leading specialty contractor of lightweight long-span roofing systems and tensile structures throughout the world, has received the AIA 25-Year Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Completed in 1981, the Hajj Terminal was designed by the New York and Chicago offices of Skidmore, Owens & Merrill LLP (SOM). The Hajj Terminal is one of the world’s largest airport terminals, covering 120 acres and 2.8 million square-feet. Each year, pilgrims traveling to Mecca pass through the terminal and nearly 40 million pilgrims have utilized the terminal since its inception. The terminal can accommodate 50,000 pilgrims daily and is equipped with 120 shopping stores, restaurants, water cabins, a medical center and other support facilities.

The Hajj Terminal features a 525-foot road that separates the two units of the terminal, each containing 105 tensile fabric tent structures supported by 147-foot steel cables. The roof structure is made from PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, which is a Teflon®-coated fiberglass membrane that can withstand the desert climate and 120 degree temperatures. The PTFE material’s translucency allows natural daylight to filter through and keeps the indoor temperature lower for the terminal’s passengers.

“This project proves that Birdair fabric membrane roofs are built to last and have long-life cycles,” said David Ricci, Director of Customer Service and Warranty for Birdair, Inc. “Even after 29 years, the project features its original PTFE fiberglass fabric membrane roof and continues to maintain its stunning visual appeal, superior functionality and reasonable maintenance requirements.”

The AIA 25-Year Award recognizes projects that illustrate lasting architectural significance and timeless design over the past 25 to 35 years. For more information on the award, visit: http://www.aia.org/practicing/awards/AIAS075310.

Permanent tensioned membrane roofing systems have steadily increased in popularity over the past three decades, providing visual and functional options not possible with traditional roofing materials supported by posts and beams. Smooth, flexible fabric roofing integrates tension for support, and can be attached to any building envelope, with virtually unlimited design possibilities. Advancements in the industry now allow for enhanced functionality and sustainability, in addition to unparalleled aesthetics.