INNOVATIVE SHADING DEVICES

AL BAHAR TOWERS, ABU DHABI

The Al Bahar Towers have become the premier example of the cutting edge for new shading devices that incorperate design, the materials of our era, and technology. Disregarding the parametric shading screen, the two towers are not particularly impressive. Formally, they are fairly mundane and they aren’t even very tall relative to other towers with impressive designs. However, the simplicity of form becomes a perfect backdrop for the complexities and chaos of the dynamic facade it showcases. The screen works by folding and unfolding its aperatures in relation to the position of the sun in the sky. As the sun moves across the sky throughout the day, the automatically self adjusting modules react by closing if they are directly facing it,

Hard Rock Stadium’s new shade addition almost perfectly places the visiting team’s sideline and fans directly within a territory of extreme sun exposure. This is due to the opponents bench and seating being placed on the eastern face of the stadium; so as the sun begins to occupy the West during the game, the East gets engulfed in harsh sunlight and heat. It has not been disclosed whether this detail was purposeful, but it can be assumed that it was not done without some consideration.

250 SUN SHADES FOR PILGRIMS IN MEDINA, SAUDI ARABIA

Another beautiful and in this case, somewhat monumental, example of the integration of technology and dynamic shading are the sunshades used to cover pilgrims during prayer located in Medina, Saudi Arabia. It serves hundreds and even thousands of people during the hottest parts of the day, making this religous site usable under more adverse conditions, even in the desert.