YAMAMAH Space Structures (YSS) has been adding a new dimension to some of the landmarks in Saudi Arabia with its elegant structures that have helped address a number of structural challenges posed by these modern buildings.
The company’s space frames have been used in a wide variety of projects, ranging from hospitals and malls to airport terminals and stadia, over the past year.

Founded in 1990 as a division of Al Yamamah Steel Industries Company, Yamamah Space Structures has established a reputation as the leading designer, manufacturer and installer of space frames in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
Space frames consist of interconnected nodes and tubes forming three-dimensional structural systems that offer a myriad of advantages compared to various other types of construction, says the company.

“There are absolutely no limitations on what you could use Yamamah space frames for – to create systems that range from elegantly simple to the most structurally challenging,” says Dr Khaldoun Mhaimeed, the company’s general manager.

Some of the most prominent projects that the company carried out last year in Saudi Arabia include the Najran Airport terminal in Najran, under a subcontract from Al Mabani General Contractors Company; and a stadium at Princess Nora University in Riyadh, for Saudi Binladin Group. Other projects that YSS completed last year are the Flamingo Mall 3 in Jeddah, under a subcontract from Mubarak Al Guthmi Contracting and the intensive care unit (ICU) at King Khalid Hospital in Riyadh, for Al Bawani Company for Contracting.

YSS is currently handling a number of other striking projects in the kingdom such as the main gate at King Saud University for Health Sciences in Riyadh, for Saudi Binladin Group. The firm is also carrying out a couple of projects for Saudi Aramco, under subcontracts from Al Osais Contracting Company. These include the Tanajib facilities expansion at Tanajib and Manifa off-plant industrial support facilities.

Panorama Mall

Its list of other ongoing projects in Saudi Arabia that are scheduled for completion this year include the Information Technology and Communication Complex (ITCC) headquarters building in Riyadh (for Contracting and Construction Enterprises) and medical buildings for the King Khalid Hospital extension at King Saud University in Riyadh, for ABV Rock Group Company.

Highlighting some of the more demanding projects tackled by the company over the past few years, Dr Mhaimeed cites the examples of Riyadh’s Rimal Centre, completed in 2005, which involved 69,065 sq m of space frames; the Riyadh International Exhibition Centre, where its space frames help achieve long column-free spans of 75 m; and the Al Anoud Tower, Riyadh, where the space frames have been erected at a height of 80 m above ground level and support the glazing and the cleaning equipment.

Other noteworthy projects are the Al Andalus Mega Mall in Jeddah, which was completed in 2007 and Panorama Mall, Riyadh completed in 2009.

Unhampered by the recent global economic crisis, YSS has been forging ahead, optimistic about a great year ahead, having already obtained a good number of prospective projects in the kingdom.

Dr Mhaimeed comments: “The Saudi market is very dynamic with many different projects being constructed all over the kingdom. These include King Abdullah Sports City and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah; and King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh.”

Riyadh International Exhibition Centre ... space frames achieved 75-m-long column-free spans.

He says since the construction market has improved compared to the past few years, the demand of Yamamah’s space frames is also rising. “Our business is definitely better than last year,” he says.

Given the increased demand for space frames, the company is looking at expanding and upgrading its facilities as well as hiring additional qualified staff. YSS is also looking at expanding its business beyond Saudi Arabia.

Over the past year, the company has also achieved a number of milestones: It has secured ISO 9001:2008 certification; implemented ERP management with SAP ECC 6.0; opened a new sales office in Al Khobar; installed a new state-of-the-art powder coating line; and added new machinery.

Yamamah Space Structures, which has a staff strength of 125, has a 8,000-sq-m factory located over a 23,000 sq m area in Jeddah. It also has sales offices in Riyadh and Al Khobar.