king-faisal-academy: King Faisal Air Force Academy, Al Kharj, KIingdom of Saudi Arabia
Designed 1980 with Frank E. Basil
The design concept groups the major cadet common facilities (mosque, dining, the library and the auditorium) around a raised central plaza or quadrangle given shade by a large space frame structure. In the original design scheme water towers created this overhead structure.
Surrounding the quadrangle is the "Academic Street", giving access to all laboratory, language, academic and instructional office facilities. Beyond this lies a further ring of landscaped open space providing a cadet recreation zone and, finally, defining the periphery, is the cadet housing, expressed in fourteen squadrons and framing the entire campus.
The Commander's and administration buildings overlook both the quadrangle and a raised parade square, which is the roof of a major athletic facility. This parade square features a sequence of formal approach ramps and becomes the linking structure between the Academy and a future major mosque.
Original model with water towers photo by Nelson Pau-Applied Photography
