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Project Details

Fabric 1

Colour ETFE Membrane
Producer/Manufacturer: Nowofol GmbH
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Engineer Company 1
Almabani General Contractors Co.

Design Name
Abdulnasser Gharem

Design Company
Gharem Studio

Architect Company
Coen + Partners, TYPSA, and Eldorado Architects

Fabrication Company
Shanghai Taiyo Kogyo Corporation

Subcontractor Company
Taiyo Middle East LLC

Project Manager Name
Arun Varughese Thomas

Project Manager Company
Taiyo Middle East LLC

Installation Name
Arts Tower

Installation Company
Taiyo Middle East LLC

Please describe the project specifications

Art Tower, Riyadh: A Monumental Fusion of Art, Innovation & Engineering

In the heart of Riyadh’s transformation lies a singular vertical icon—the Art Tower, an 83-meter-high
ordinary abandoned transmission tower reborn as a monumental public sculpture. Brought to life by
our company , with its colorful 691 no’s ETFE tensile membrane panel restrained with steel
cables onto form a groundbreaking project epitomizes the convergence of visionary art, tensile
architecture, & engineering precision.

As part of Sports Boulevard, one of the most ambitious urban regeneration projects in the world, the Art
Tower rises as a beacon of cultural renaissance, reclaiming a once-inaccessible transmission tower
structure & turning it into an inspiring, walkable landmark that reconnects communities changing
ordinary tower to extraordinary masterpiece of art inspired by the contemporary transformation of Saudi
Arabia.

Transformative Vision Inspired by Art through Tensile Membranes:

Central to the Art Tower is the vision of renowned Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem, whose artistic
narrative revolves around transformation of Saudi, as well as the identity of Riyadh, & place-making in
the world map as one most developing cites in modern times. His creative philosophy & the vision of
Saudi 2030 deeply influenced the concept: a tower not just of steel & cables, but of memory, imagination,
& light of Riyadh.

Guided by Gharem’s vision, our design team conceptualized the tower as a “Machine of Wonder”,
enveloped in an ethereal skin of colourful ETFE—delicate yet powerful—articulating the tower’s
presence day & night, in shifting light & color.

Design Development: The World’s Tallest ETFE Membrane Installation:

Our company led the design development, engineering, & fabrication of the tower’s distinctive
façade, comprising custom-shaped single-layer colored ETFE tensile membrane panels.
The Art Tower project stands as a pioneering achievement in architectural engineering, marking the first
of its kind in the region—a fusion of advanced tensile membrane materials & design ingenuity. At the
heart of its success lies the crucial role played by our company, a global leader in tensile membrane
structures. From conception to execution, Taiyo’s involvement was integral to delivering this
groundbreaking structure, which seamlessly integrates ETFE membrane technology with a
transmission tower's steel framework.

One of the most defining challenges to Taiyo’s contribution was within less than 6 months to design,
fabricate, deliver & install of 691 custom-designed ETFE color membrane panels. These panels span
vertically from 0 to 83 meters, covering the structure with a dynamic, translucent façade. The installation
included specialized cables & extrusions, all executed with the highest standards of quality & precision.

Each panel was uniquely tailored, demonstrating Taiyo’s engineering prowess & ability to handle largescale, bespoke architectural elements.

Each membrane is digitally modelled with parametric precision, engineered to withstand
extreme wind loads while retaining the poetic translucency envisioned by the artist. The result is a lightweight yet resilient second skin, wrapping the tower in vibrant hues that shimmer & glow—reflecting Riyadh’s sky by day, & radiating internal illumination by night. With this unprecedented height and limited time, Taiyo’s installation teams worked around the clock on heights to deliver the artwork safely and timely. The resilience of construction team
was a key to success by maneuvering around difficulties and daily challenges in building such
extraordinary height artwork, the Art Tower officially becomes the tallest ETFE membrane
tensile installation globally, a record-setting achievement in architectural engineering.

This installation does not merely clad a tower—it activates it. The interplay of transparency, color, &
movement creates a constantly changing visual experience, drawing residents & visitors alike into a
shared space of contemplation & curiosity.

Collaboration & Excellence:

What truly sets the Art Tower apart is the amalgamation of ETFE membranes with the steel structure of
a transmission tower—a bold, never-before-seen integration. This fusion required innovative
engineering solutions to accommodate dynamic wind loads, structural flexibility, & aesthetic integrity.
Taiyo successfully navigated these complexities, showcasing how tensile architecture can enhance &
redefine traditional infrastructure

The success of the Art Tower is a testament to unprecedented collaboration between Sports Boulevard
Foundation, provided visionary leadership & unwavering support, keeping art at the heart of the urban
experience. Along with Abdulnasser Gharem’s conceptual artistry infused the project with meaning &
narrative, elevating it from design to cultural icon. With commitment of Almabani General Contractors,
one of Saudi Arabia’s most prestigious contractors, brought exceptional construction expertise & on ground coordination.
Throughout the project, our company maintained a constant design review loop with all stakeholders, ensuring that every membrane panel met the exacting standards of beauty, structural integrity, & alignment with artistic vision.

Urban Regeneration Through Storytelling & Light:

More than just infrastructure, the Art Tower is a cultural landmark—a symbol of Riyadh’s commitment
to human-centric urban design, where art breathes life into the city. The tower stands as a powerful
reminder of the high-voltage lines that once divided the landscape, now reimagined as a symbol of unity
& expression. As pedestrians walk beneath & around this kinetic sculpture, they engage with light, form,
& story—an everyday ritual made extraordinary.

Looking Ahead
Our company’s role in the Art Tower project is a testament to their engineering excellence & vision
for the future of architecture. The project not only pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with tensile
membrane structures but also set a new benchmark for integrating form, function, & material innovation
in modern infrastructure.

The Art Tower sets a new benchmark for integrated urban art, tensile membrane innovation, & cultural
regeneration. For our company , it represents the pinnacle of collaborative creativity—where
engineering meets imagination, & a tower once destined for obsolescence is reborn as a symbol of
Riyadh’s future.

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