Copyright © 1976-2015 BuroHappold Engineering. All Rights Reserved

CLIEN T Ministry of Foreign Affairs

ARCHI T EC T Henning Larsen

PROJEC T VALUE Confidential

DUR AT I O N Ongoing

SERV ICES PROV IDED BY BURO HAPPO LD Structural engineering, civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, building services engineering, facade engineering, fire engineering, project management

This ambitious project has seen The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expand to create a new building for Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute For Diplomatic Studies (IDS) and Consular Affairs Department (CAD). The building features a large auditorium, library, lecture halls and other educational spaces, prayer rooms and a cafeteria, as well as a visa application hall for the CAD. BuroHappold Engineering was appointed to develop the design for the Institute, advising on all aspects of the process.

The design for the elaborate limestone facade, with its unusual pattern of rhomboid windows and openings, was a key element of our work. These not only serve as a distinctive feature but also improve the thermal efficiency of the building, allowing natural light to permeate the atrium while also ensuring adequate shade. Designed to resemble a veil, the facade’s form allows passers by glimpses of the activity inside the building.

We gave particular attention to the analysis of daylight and the impact of the sun on the facade, carrying out modelling to define the building’s optimal location. This analysis allowed us to maximise natural lighting and to balance heat gain and loss, glare control and variations in daylight availability. The effectiveness of the building’s orientation and facade design has helped to reduce over one third of the total building energy consumption.

Further work on the structural design included devising a diamond shaped grid system that allows flexibility within the interior spaces. A key challenge for our team was the need to relocate the services plant from the roof part way through the project. This led to a complete redesign of our service provision strategy, increasing the basement area to accommodate the plant rooms. Our approach to the design change resulted in the client extending our services to include project management and the supervision of the construction of the new development.

PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL INSTITUTE FOR DIPLOMATIC STUDIES (FORMER INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMATIC STUDIES, IDS) RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Images © Henning Larsen

A G R O U N D - B R E A K I N G G O V E R N M E N T G AT E W AY

Copyright © 1976-2015 BuroHappold Engineering. All Rights Reserved

Images © Henning Larsen

Our team designed the MEP systems to offer a modern working environment that offers the latest in smart technology. The lighting in the office spaces is provided via LED down lighters with each lamp being controlled from the lighting control system. Each office benefits from daylight sensors and absence detectors, while scene-setting features are installed in the auditorium and conference rooms.

We enabled energy recovery by specifying a one-source system that links the supply and return air-handling units located in the basement plant. The returned air is dispersed into the car park area where it’s drawn across the space prior to being discharged. This provides a constant air change, prevents the occurrence of carbon monoxide, helps reduce the heat gain

and, as a consequence, the overall space temperature. Our engineers used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to predict the potential movement of smoke in case of fire and integrate the safest possible smoke ventilation and evacuation path into the design.

The unique environment within the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic studies provides both an intriguing and dynamic space for employees, students and visitors. The internal spaces feature plants and trees to create a natural boundary between the IDS and the CAD, while offering a visual link between the two. With its eye-catching facade and lush internal oasis, this signature structure is a stunning addition to government buildings in Riyadh.

CLIEN T Ministry of Foreign Affairs

ARCHI T EC T Henning Larsen

PROJEC T VALUE Confidential

DUR AT I O N Ongoing

SERV ICES PROV IDED BY BURO HAPPO LD Structural engineering, civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, building services engineering, facade engineering, fire engineering, project management