The document summarizes the design of the Kaia-Jeddah Haj Terminal, which was designed to accommodate the increasing number of Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca for Hajj. The terminal features a tensile fabric roof structure inspired by Bedouin tents, providing shelter from the hot climate while allowing natural light and ventilation. Its layout is organized to guide pilgrims through immigration and customs processing before entering large open areas for prayer and rest during their multi-day stay at the terminal before continuing their sacred journey.

1. KAIA - JEDDAH HAJ TERMINAL
-Submitted by
Dhruv Bansal
Madhav Singh

2. OBJECTIVE
 To accommodate for the drastic increase in
the number of Haj (Pilgrims).
 To provide symbolic power pertinent to the
Haj as embodying the most important and
sacred event in the life of a muslim.
 To provide for the unique requirements of the
Haj which makes the terminal more of a
village than a regular terminal.

3. SKYLINE OF ANCIENT JEDDAH

4. LOCATION AND CONTEXT
 The climate is hot and humid. Sea breezes
produce high humidity and hence affect the
comfort level . Total precipitation is low and
concentrated from November to January.

5. LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
 KAIA is a showcase of international architects
attempting to provide an architecture with a
cultural and symbolic flavor.
 The terminal is designed by Edward Stone with
a shell structure roof inspired by a “one way
tent” like fold.
 The domestic terminals in KAIA have a measure
of coherence attained through its layout, as well
as the compatibility of forms. A visual axis
organizes the location of two terminals with the
centre line of Haj terminals.

6. BEDOUIN TENT

7. Tensile Tent
Structure Of
Aiport Terminal

8. A VILLAGE IN DESSERT

9. JEDDAH HAJ TERMINAL IN DESSERT

10. Ancient
Tetra Pylons

11. Tetra
Pylons
Of Haj
terminal

12. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
 Islam requires every one who is physically able to perform Haj at least
once in his or her lifetime, it is therefore a most significant journey. Many
pilgrims are inexperienced travelers , separated from their culture and
surroundings for the first time. The Haj terminal design responds to the
Hajis physical needs and comfort in a form that is technologically
appropriate for its use and architecturally responsive to the surrounding
environment.
 The translucent fabric roof helps create a naturally ventilated and lighted
open space which prevents distraction from the Hajis spiritual objectives
yet affords the pilgrims needed shelter and walking distance.
 The terminal prepares him for his next journey which will take place in a
similar open air setting. The terminal is a transitional shelter yet it is
visually powerful and well organized transportation facility which
attempts to avoid confusion or cultural shock of the Haji.
 Because the terminal is only minimally mechanized, the need for
extensive maintenance for a building that is active only a few week of
the year is eliminated.

13. HUGE
CROWD AT
THE
TERMINAL

14. SOUK (OPEN MARKET)

15.  It does not impose the conventional “airport discipline” which
would be both alien and uncomfortable to most pilgrims.
 Most have saved all their lives to make the journey, and this is
probably the first and last time they be traveling by air.
 The informal and flexible design of the support area, conforms
with the spirit of haj.
 The thousands of pilgrims arriving at the terminal during this
period often have to wait, sometimes for up to thirty hours, for
certain formalities to be completed.
 Large rest areas have been provided with benches that allow
pilgrims ample room to lie down comfortably. At the same time
enormous floor space allows them to roll out rugs and offer
prayers without obstructing anyone.

16. LARGE OPEN SPACES

18. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
 In plan the Haj terminal consist of two identical halves, 320m x 686 m
and separated by a landscaped mall.
 Each half of the terminal is divided into five equal modules. Each module
in turn is made of 21 lightweight tent structure arranged on 3 x 7 tents for
each module and cover 10.5 acres (4 hectares). Each unit is 45 m x 45
m.
 As developed, the terminal has 20 gate processing areas, 10 on each
side of the terminal. Each gate has equal areas within the terminal for
passenger processing.
 The aircraft aprons are designed to accommodate a wide range of
aircrafts: B747,DC10,DC1011,B707,DC8,B727, B737 DC9.
 On leaving the plane the pilgrims enter the second level of the air-conditioned
terminal building for health and immigration processing,
Baggage claims and customs are on the lower level.
 Upon leaving the terminal the pilgrims enter the shaded area called
“Terminal Support Area”, or tent tent structure.

27. STRUCTURE
 The roof unit is a tensile membrane structure
spanning between 4 corner pylons which are 45
meters in height.
 The double curved skin of each unit is made up
of heavy weight teflon coated fiberglass fabric
supported on 32 steel radial cables, which in
turn span between an upper tension ring and a
lower tie down catenary cable.
 Pairs of suspension cables are used to provide
degree of safety in the structure in case of
accidental failure of one cable.

28. STRUCTURAL DETAILS

35. MATERIALS
 Concrete : cast in place and pre-stressed concrete used
for terminal facilities.
 Steel : rolled shaped steel for the tent pylons.
 Cables : plastic jacketed bridge strand (for stretching the
tent).
 Teflon coated fiberglass : high strength teflon – coated
fiberglass with an average weight of 45oz. per sq. yard.
 Infill : precast concrete elements are used.
 Finishing : a concrete floor for the support area is treated
with apexy for fire resistance and as a heavy duty
treatment.

36. CONSTRUCTION
 A two way grid of pylons forms the low point of
each membrane unit while an open tension ring
suspended by the cables from the top of the
pylons establishes its high point at the centre of
each bay. A row of double pylon portal frame
provides a stiff edge for the modules.
 21 pre-assembled tents were simultaneously
raised into place. At the same time, each
membrane was stretched and pretension as the
inner ring was lifted and joined to the suspended
outer ring.

38. PROPERTIES OF FABRIC MEMBRANE
 Self cleaning to ensure a lasting good visual
appearance.
 Lightweight yet capable of carrying high tensile loads
with little or no long term creep.
 Good thermal insulation qualities to ensure the
comfort of the pilgrims while at the same time
providing sufficient translucency to naturally
illuminate the vast covered area during daylight
hours.
 Non combustible and non toxic when subjected to
fire.
 Easy to fabricate and ship.
 Easy to repair on site if required.

39.  The shape of tent provides for the rain
drainage at the pylons and also induce a
natural flow of air out from the tent roof
through the opening at the high point at the
centre tension ring.

41. THANK YOU