THE Arabian Art Gallery (AAG), based in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, has successfully completed one of the prestigious stained glass projects along with Saudi Constructioneers Establishment.

The contract for Taiba Residential and Commercial Center in Al-Madinah Al Munawarrah included design, manufacture and installation of a skylight above the three-storey commercial centre. The skylight comprises decorative glass, steel frames, stained glass and safety glass (laminated and curved glass) on the inner side. The exterior is covered with transparent Lexan panels to afford the skylight protection from the environmental effects, says Khalid Almohaimeed of AAG.

Describing the project he says: "The skylight covers a total area exceeding 100 sq m and consists of an octagonal flat-headed dome centered by another inverted hemispheric dome, surrounded with 12 pyramids. The project also includes stained glass, which is protected by double-glazing, for the two facades of the pedestrian bridge linking the eastern and western towers of Taiba Center. Each facade is 3.28 m wide and 5.66 m high and has a logo of Taiba Investment Company, the owner of the project, in the centre.

"Riyadh House for Engineering Consultations approved the design of the project, which is derived from the Islamic architectural style, keeping in view the tradition of the holy city.

AAG has also completed work on the stained glass windows for King Abdul Aziz Mosque in Abha. The project comprises 80 windows of stained-glass insulated internally by double-glass, each being 0.90 m wide by 1.70 m high. The designs depict the local culture of the Asir region.

The King Abdul Aziz Mosque, which was built by Bin Jarrallah Establishment for Contracting and supervised by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, is considered one of the significant landmarks of the Asir region, says Almohaimeed.

Among AAG's major earlier projects is the installation of stained glass in the Sahara Shopping Centre located at the junction of King Abdul Aziz and Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Roads in Riyadh.

"The project included manufacture and installation of a stained glass sphere, 2.5 m in diameter, in the middle of a fountain in the main courtyard of the center. The sphere is illuminated from within and protected by a pyramid made of clear glass and aluminium covered with stainless steel. Water from the fountain cascades down all the four sides of this pyramid. In addition, an inverted pyramid steel structure and stained glass is suspended from the roof of the center above this pyramid.

"The pyramid's base measures 6 m and its depth is 3 m. In addition, there are stained glass panels crowning the columns surrounding the courtyard of the centre.

"The project was undertaken under a contract from Al Rugaib Company, the owner," says Almohaimeed.

AAG is currently engaged in a number of other projects, including the Al Awidah Palaces in the Alwaha district of Riyadh. The project consists of eight domes with diameters ranging from 2 m to 4.4 m, 18 windows which are 50 cm by 260 cm, 20 windows which measure 150 cm by 145 cm, and 12 windows 254 cm by 120 cm. It also includes a stained glass mural measuring 4.5 by 3.5 m fronting a swimming pool. Another ongoing projects (privet palaces)of colored and stained glass windows, domes and skylights, in Riyadh and in Yanbu at the west coast of Saudi Arabia and Haayl city northern part of the kingdom.

Riyadh-based AAG, founded in 1988, has established an outstanding reputation in decorative glass with thousands of clients throughout the Kingdom.