Architects: SOM – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Area: 260,000 m²
Year: 1981
Photography: Owens Corning, Laurian Ghinitoiu
Client: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Ministry of Defense and Aviation
City: Jeddah
Country: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Hajj Terminal King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, designed by SOM and completed in 1981, serves millions of pilgrims during their journey to Mecca. Spanning 105 acres, the terminal’s tent-like structure, made of Teflon-coated fiberglass, reflects sunlight and keeps the interior cool, even under extreme desert conditions. The design draws inspiration from traditional nomadic dwellings and the Mina Valley tents, offering a calm and functional environment for pilgrims. This architectural feat has earned numerous awards for its innovative approach to accommodating the spiritual and physical needs of travelers.
As part of the broader master plan for King Abdulaziz Airport, the terminal was built specifically to manage the annual influx of Hajj pilgrims. By 1985, the structure was hosting 950,000 visitors, a number that has grown to millions over the years. Its unique design not only facilitates the movement and stay of pilgrims but also allows the terminal to operate efficiently during the brief yet intense pilgrimage season each year. The terminal remains a vital piece of infrastructure, successfully serving Hajjis for decades.
SOM’s involvement came through a coincidence, as the airport’s development firm was located near SOM’s Washington, D.C. office. The team, led by Gordon Wildermuth, Gordon Bunshaft, and engineer Fazlur Khan, observed the Hajj and realized the terminal needed to accommodate up to 100,000 pilgrims for extended periods. Originally, the plan involved a concrete structure, but the harsh desert climate led to a switch to Teflon-coated fiberglass fabric, which reflected 76% of the sun’s radiation, maintaining an internal temperature of 80°F even when the outside temperature reached 130°F.
The terminal addressed all pilgrim needs during their stay. In addition to restaurants, cooking areas, ablution spaces, changing areas, and seating for napping, there were markets where pilgrims could sell goods to fund their journeys.
The facility is divided into two halves with a central roadway for buses. Each side has five modules, each wide enough to park two Boeing 747s. A fully enclosed and air-conditioned area along the perimeter holds customs and baggage claim services, while the open-air tent structure covers the rest. The tent segments are supported by 150-foot steel columns arranged on a 150-foot grid. Each segment’s peak rises to 110 feet at a steel-ringed oculus, with the structure covering 105 acres. The modular design also allows for future expansion.
Though modern, the tents allude to the nomadic dwellings of the Arabian Peninsula and the Mina Valley tents used during the hajj. While Bunshaft denied architectural influence from these sources, Khan acknowledged the connection. Khan emphasized that the design was not religious but aimed to evoke the spirit of the Hajj, providing a tranquil transition to Mecca.
The terminal’s innovative design earned global recognition, receiving awards such as the AIA National Award, a Progressive Architecture Award, and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1983. The jury praised the “brilliant and imaginative design of the roofing system.” In 2010, it received the AIA 25-Year Award for its continued success in serving millions of pilgrims annually.
Nearly 35 years after its completion, the Hajj Terminal remains an essential part of the pilgrimage, now accommodating over 3 million Hajjis each year. Its inclusion in Wired magazine’s “Future of Cities” feature highlights its enduring relevance.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
