German construction company Hightex has been awarded a contract to work on Qatar’s new ‘giant tent’ Al Bayt Stadium, which will serve as one of the host venues for the country’s staging of the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
Hightex will assume responsibility for the membrane construction of the innovative roof and façade of the stadium, which is scheduled for completion in June next year.
Hightex will be responsible for the membrane construction of the roof and façade of the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar. Also involved in the contracting team is Italian company Cimolai S.p.Ais, and Salini Impregilo S.p.A., which will be leading the project. Galfar Al Misnad Engineering and WLL Contracting Co are also involved and were brought on by the Aspire Zone Foundation
A lightweight membrane structure will cover 200,000sq ft of the venue’s roof and façade.
Al Bayt Stadium is set to host games all the way through to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
Klaus-Michael Koch, founder and chief executive of Hightex, said in a statement: “The stadium in Qatar will resemble traditional Bedouin tents with its extraordinary colour design. The membrane fabric will be specifically printed in traditional colours and patterns.”
The stadium, in the northern city of Al Khor, takes its name from bayt al sha’ar – tents historically used by nomadic peoples in Qatar and the Gulf region. Commenting on the venue, Qatar 2022 organisers said “fans arriving at this 60,000-capacity arena will have never seen anything like it”.
“The stadium design honours Qatar’s past and present, while keeping one eye on the future of the community,” Qatar 2022 said. “With the sustainability goals of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy firmly in mind, its creation will be a model of green development. Facilities for the community will spring up around it. As well as providing a first-class venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, this arena will become a shining example for future stadium construction.”
