Umm Al Qura University

Umm Al Qura University – Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The University has many Kalwall^® skylight configurations, including pyramids, 180° vaults, self-supporting ridge roofs and octagonal canopies. Perkins and Will specified Kalwall for the campus to obtain comfortable natural daylighting with minimal solar heat gain.

The climate at Mecca is severe, characterized by extreme heat and solar exposure, infrequent but potentially torrential rain and winds carrying abrasive sand. Dust and sand that accumulates on skylights is not visible from below while clear glazing would require constant maintenance.

Original installations at Umm Al Qura University began in the early 1990s and have continued as the campus has grown. Kalwall was installed in 2016 at the Applied Science Faculty with canopies for the Academic Courts. Material is currently being prepared for the Teaching Hospital on the Umm Al Qura campus.