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KING ABDULLAH
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
(KAFD) METRO STATION
Architects: Zaha Hadid Architects
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
CASE STUDY
THE PROJECT
This metro station will be located
on the edge of the nancial district and
will serve as a major hub between the
citys main transport networks.
KAFD metro station will be the key
interchange on Line 1 and the terminus
for Line 4 and Line 6.
The smoothly curved station spreads
over six platforms on four public oors
and two levels of underground car parks
to cater to commuters traveling on vari-
ous modes of transportation.
Zaha Hadid Architects beat out com-
petition from other shortlisted bidders
including Henning Larsen Architects
and HOK to win the project.
www.designmena.com | 06.13 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 41
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www.designmena.com | 02.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
2017
EXPECTED YEAR OF
COMPLETION
THE SITE
The 20,434m
2
King
Abdullah Financial
District (KAFD)
metro station will
also provide access
for passengers to the
local monorail through
a skybridge to facilitate
easier movement.
Connectivity diagrams and traf c
across the site have been mapped
and structured to clearly delineate
the pedestrian routes within the
building, optimise internal circula-
tion and avoid congestion.
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20,434M
2
AREA OF KAFD METRO
STATION
THE CONCEPT
The concept draws on the patterns of the desert winds on nearby sand dunes to create rippling motions across the
faade. These undulating swathes are echoed inside the station concourse with a three-dimensional lattice dened
by a sequence of opposing sine-waves. This was inspired by statistics of the stations daily traf c ows and acts as the
spine for the buildings circulation. These sine-waves are extended to the stations envelope and strictly af liated to its
internal layout, translating the architectural concept to the exterior.
THE DETAILS
The project extends beyond the simple station typology to emphasise the buildings importance as a dynamic,
multi-functional public space; not only an intermediate place perceived through quick transitions, but also a dramatic
public space for the city, Zaha Hadid said. The KAFD metro station is expected to be completed by 2017.