A thriller on Shura Island
How Solarlux made its mark in Saudi Arabia
Sandra Gussmann
On the coast of Saudi Arabia, work is in full swing on exclusive hotel complexes that will soon attract wealthy travellers to the Red Sea. There are several uninhabited islands there that are to be transformed into fully-fledged cities and luxury resorts with the appropriate infrastructure. Everything will be thoroughly sustainable – a concept that is still new in the Gulf region. The largest developer in the region is Red Sea Global, which has brought the renowned architectural firm Norman Foster + Partners on board for its ambitious plans.
Construction sites in the desert: the highest demands on people and technology
At Foster + Partner, we are familiar with our Woodline glass folding wall from various past projects and are convinced of its quality and resistance to the harsh climatic conditions of the Gulf region, such as temperature fluctuations, salty air, humidity and dryness, desert sand and heavy rain.
Happy ending for SL
It was precisely these requirements that caused the contracted general contractor to fail, as his self-designed glass folding wall solution, developed in-house, literally fell flat. Foster + Partner insisted on the installation of genuine Solarlux products. A happy ending for us: 45 systems with a total of 160 Woodline panels will bring much joy to guests at the Four Seasons Resort in future. Twenty glass folding walls with a total of 101 Woodline panels have now also been installed at the Miraval Resort. Nancy Khachoun and Hendrik Bulthaupt were on site for the acceptance inspection and heard with their own ears as the external inspector said that this was the best system he had ever tested.
To be continued?
Activities are now shifting from Shura Island to the neighbouring island of Laheq Island, where a new, sustainable city in the shape of a ring is being built, and to Amaala, a health resort further north on the Red Sea, where Foster+ Partner wants to install Solarlux lift-and-slide windows in 15 villas. We look forward to continuing the story!
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