Riyadh Metro Station 3B2, known as the Western Station, forms part of one of the world’s largest transport infrastructure programmes.
Client
Middle Eastern Client
Riyadh Metro Station 3B2, known as the Western Station, forms part of one of the world’s largest transport infrastructure programmes.
Client
Sector
Location
Riyadh Metro Station 3B2, known as the Western Station, forms part of one of the world’s largest transport infrastructure programmes.
Designed by Snøhetta and Omrania, the 34,155m² station combines metro, bus interchange, retail, prayer facilities and underground parking within a landmark public transport hub inspired by desert sand formations.
The station’s curved architectural form created a significant challenge for the floor grille package. The system needed to follow continuously changing radii throughout the installation while maintaining consistent appearance, reliable airflow performance and long-term durability across heavily trafficked public areas.
At the centre of the project was a 28-metre curved floor grille incorporating six separate radius transitions within a continuous run. The geometry moved from broad sweeping curves into tighter central sections before opening back out across the station floor. Multiple grille widths were also required, ranging from 200mm through to 700mm.
Alongside the architectural complexity, the system also needed to accommodate airflow control, maintenance access and structural loading requirements suitable for a major public transport environment.
Brooke Air was appointed by the client to design and manufacture a bespoke aluminium floor grille package capable of meeting the project’s architectural and technical demands.
To manage the changing geometry, the grille system was manufactured in modular sections. This approach supported installation coordination on site while maintaining alignment and visual consistency across the curved runs.
The complete package was manufactured in brushed aluminium and included fabricated subframe assemblies designed to accommodate removable opposed blade dampers. Integrated mesh underscreens were incorporated throughout the installation to help prevent debris entering the service void below.
A key part of the project involved developing bespoke faceted opposed blade dampers capable of following the station’s changing curves without compromising airflow control or the appearance of the installation.
Because Brooke Air manufactures bespoke floor grilles and air distribution products in-house, the production process could be tailored around the project requirements rather than restricted to fixed product configurations.
Brooke Air manufactured and delivered more than 350 metres of bespoke floor grille within the required six-week production programme, including straight sections, curved sections, mitred corners, mitred ends and associated damper assemblies.
The completed system underwent independent load testing by Accolade Measurement, achieving a maximum applied area load of 5.27kN/m² against a design requirement of 5.00kN/m², confirming the structural resilience of the assembly under pedestrian traffic conditions.
The installation was delivered ahead of the station opening programme.
Projects such as Riyadh Metro Station 3B2 demonstrate the value of bespoke manufacture on complex transport infrastructure developments where architectural intent, airflow performance and structural requirements all need to work together.
Brooke Air continues to support consultants, contractors and architects with bespoke air distribution solutions manufactured in-house to suit the demands of each project, including curved grilles, architectural air distribution systems and bespoke damper assemblies.
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