Abu Bakr Salem Theatre

OPS provided the Structural Engineering design for the 6,000 seater temporary, demountable grandstand at the Abu Bakr Salem Theatre in North-West Riyadh. The temporary stand is based on a radial grid which wraps 120m in total around the stage, elevating 30 rows of spectators above the floor seating with a separate hospitality structure behind. The seating is accessed via 10 radial vomitories which emerge towards the front of the stand with a further two ramps leading to accessible seating to the front row of either wing, both of which were also designed by OPS.

The theatre is one of a series of cultural venues in the area which hosts multiple events a year, including the country’s first international Opera Festival in 2022.

Client: Arena Event Services Group

Location: Riyadh, KSA

Architect: Arena

Structural Engineer: OPS Structures Ltd

Completed: 2022