Guardian Glass is one of the world's largest manufacturers of float and energy-saving coated glass. Jeddah Tower (also known as "The King's Tower") is an unprecedented project whose authors set out to create a structure more than a kilometer high.
The architect of the building is the architectural bureau of Adrian Smith, the initiator of the entire project is the Saudi prince Al-Walid bin Talal, one of the richest people in the Middle East and the nephew of the King of Saudi Arabia.
According to the project, the building will occupy an area of 5.3 million square meters, accommodate 439 apartments, 200 hotel rooms, 59 elevators and 2205 parking spaces. The creators of the tower intend to set world records for the height of the building, the tallest spire, the highest summit of the building and the highest observation deck in the world.
Guardian Glass will supply over 400,000 square meters of glass panels, the size of 55 football pitches. The glass used is distinguished by an organic combination of aesthetics and functionality and meets the complex energy and operational requirements for the construction of this kind of religious buildings. For glazing, we chose a single-chamber double-glazed unit with Guardian Glass: SunGuard® HP Neutral 60 and SunGuard® Solar Silver 20. Due to the increased strength, the glass bending radius can reach up to 2.5 meters.
Guardian Glass Middle East and Africa CEO Mohammed Ali Ibrahim comments: “The unprecedented size and height of the Jeddah Tower required us to work carefully with the project team to select a glazing system that could offer the right balance between energy efficiency and light transmission. This is why we have combined two of our most popular and trusted Guardian SunGuard products. We are confident that they will perform well without compromising their aesthetics.”
SunGuard® Solar Silver 20 is a solar control glass that helps protect against the heat of the day while letting in significant amounts of daylight, giving the Tower a luxurious silvery greenish tint. SunGuard® HP Neutral 60 glass will help protect the interior of the structure from heat loss at night.
The unique circular observation deck of the skyscraper, which, among other things, has a glass floor, is located more than 610 meters above the ground. Its glazing is also entrusted to Guardian Glass. Once completed, visitors will be able to enjoy views of the Red Sea from the highest observation deck in the world.
“Jeddah Tower Project Director John Zerafa of United Arab Aluminum Co. (UACC) states: “Guardian Glass was selected by Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill Architects. I worked on the Burj Khalifa Tower project and the Guardian Glass team was with us every step of the way, from glass production to technical support. Compared to other glass manufacturers and suppliers, the partnership with Guardian Glass has proven to be much more productive."
“Our participation in the project is not limited to the production and supply of glass, we go all the way from the manufacture, assembly and glazing of the building to the final completion of the project. - emphasizes Merritt Gaunt, vice president of Guardian Glass in the Middle East and Africa.“We are happy to have been chosen as suppliers for such a landmark project.”
The glass will be produced at Guardian's Al Jubail plant, then sent to UAAC for insulating glass production for structural glazing, during which the glass is secured to the structural frame using a high-performance structural sealant. The fully assembled curtain wall system will then be delivered to the construction site for installation.
The Guardian Technical Support Center will provide round-the-clock technical support for the project to obtain optimal results. Field technicians will work directly with UAAC representatives to ensure ongoing technical oversight, support and long term service even after project completion.
Jeddah Tower will be an inspiring addition to the Guardian Glass portfolio of iconic buildings and construction projects in hospitality, retail and residential real estate, corporate skyscrapers and social facilities in the Middle East and around the world.
