The Al Akaria Shopping Complex III, built by Sreco in downtown Riyadh, features a 108′ diameter/33-meter dome to be the major complex. The dome shape helps create building identity plus provides natural daylighting down through the large opening at the center of the building. The dome features a custom, blue tinted Lexan panel in the skylight system to provide a blue glow through the Lexan to reflect off the white walls inside. The exterior is finished in kynar paint for long term durability.

This dome was assembled on one side of the rooftop area and swung into place using one of the cranes used in the construction of the building itself. The lightweight aluminum was a major advantage on this project as it enabled the relatively low capacity crane, typically used for concrete pouring, to be able to lift the framework and swing it out over the 33 meter diameter opening which was nine stories in the air.

The Al Akaria Shopping Complex III built by Sreco in downtown Riyadh, features a 108′ diameter/33 meter dome to be the major architectural feature on top of this seven story high, $100 million shopping complex. The dome shape helps create building identity plus provide natural light down through the large opening at the center of the building. The dome features a custom, blue tinted Lexan pan in the skylight system to provide a blue light glow through the Lexan to reflect off the white walls inside. The exterior is finished in Kynar paint for long term durability.

This dome was assembled on one side of the rooftop area and swung into place using one of the cranes used in the construction of the building itself. The lightweight aluminum was a major advantage on this project which enabled the relatively low capacity crane, typically used for concrete pouring, to be able to lift the framework and swing it out over the 33 meter diameter opening which was nine stories in the air.


Client: Saudi Real Estate Company, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Architect: Saudi Real Estate Company, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Engineer: Saudi Real Estate Company, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia