PRANCE metalwork is a leading manufacturer of metal ceiling and facade systems.
Saudi Arabia Taif Almasakin Alfakhira Hotel Café Facade Design Project
In this project, the PRANCE design team provided façade and exterior system design services for the Taif Almasakin Alfakhira Hotel Café in Saudi Arabia. The scope covered the café façade, roof shading system, and outdoor terrace area.
This project is located in Taif, a high-altitude region with strong solar exposure, high UV levels, and large temperature differences between day and night. The Facade design needs to consider both the visual requirements of a high-end hotel and the long-term performance of materials under local climate conditions.
Project Timeline：
2025
Services We Offer:
Façade system design, 3D visualizations and concept development, technical drawings, material selection
| Project side Visit
| Design Strategy
1. Climate Adaptation and Material Performance
Taif sits in a mountainous region with strong solar radiation, high UV levels, and frequent temperature changes. These conditions place continuous stress on exterior materials, especially in fully exposed café environments. As a result, material durability and façade system stability become key considerations in the design process for this project.
Cultural Integration in Façade Design
The façade design not only meets the visual requirements of a high-end hotel but also incorporates elements of Islamic culture, thoughtfully integrating them into the overall architectural expression, resulting in a refined, culturally integrated aesthetic.
| PRANCE Tailored Design Solution
1. Façade System: Aluminum Cladding and Metal Carving Panels
The façade system combines deep green aluminum cladding panels and gold aluminum carved panels, a color pairing inspired by Islamic architectural aesthetics, where green is associated with spiritual vitality and cultural continuity, while gold conveys light, richness, and ceremonial expression. The gold panels feature traditional arabesque vine patterns, reinforcing the cultural layering of the façade composition.
Under Taif's high temperatures, strong sunlight, and high UV exposure conditions, the aluminum cladding system provides stable weather resistance and dimensional stability. It helps control deformation caused by thermal expansion and contraction, while maintaining surface flatness and long-term color performance. The gold perforated panels reduce the solidity of the façade through their open structure. They also help reduce direct solar heat gain on localized areas and improve air movement and light transition across the façade.
2. CdTe BIPV Glass Roof System
The café roof design features a cadmium telluride (CdTe) building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) glass system. It combines shading and roof enclosure requirements with on-site power generation.
Under high solar exposure, the glass system converts solar energy into electricity to support basic building operations. At the same time, the BIPV glass reduces direct sunlight penetration into the interior, improving thermal comfort and maintaining sufficient natural daylight within the café.
3. Terrace Railing: Aluminum Safety System
A customized aluminum railing system is used for the outdoor terrace area. The design meets structural safety requirements while maintaining openness and clear views toward the exterior environment.
Aluminum alloy is selected for the railing system. Compared with steel material, it provides better corrosion and oxidation resistance in outdoor environments, reduces overall structural weight, and improves stability. It also performs more consistently under large temperature variations, with lower deformation and better dimensional stability in long-term outdoor use.