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Royal World Culture Museum – Interior Glass Curtain Wall, Riyadh

Project Snapshot

Project Name: Royal World Culture Museum (KSPM) – Interior Glass Curtain Wall

Location: King Salman Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Curtain Wall Area: 2,700 m²

Glass Type: Single and double jumbo SGP laminated ultra-clear insulated glass

Panel Size & Weight: 3 × 7 m, up to 2 tons per panel

Installation System: Suspension-based system

Structural Highlights: Aluminum-steel hybrid mullions, sloped glass façade

Status: Under construction

Special Notes: Large-format panels pose transportation and installation challenges, addressed with robust machinery and systematic workflow planning

Introduction

The Royal World Culture Museum (referred to by SunFrame as the KSPM project) is a flagship initiative under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Within the museum, SunFrame is responsible for the interior glass curtain wall covering 2,700 m². This area presents a stick-framed, floor-to-ceiling design with jumbo and double-jumbo glass panels. Each panel measures up to 3 × 7 meters and weighs nearly 2 tons, posing considerable challenges for transportation and installation. The sloped glass façade adds a striking architectural feature, which has been carefully planned and visualized using 3D modeling to ensure precision and safety.

Next, we will show you how SunFrame turned these engineering challenges into innovative design solutions.

Design & Engineering Innovations

1. Glass Suspension System

To achieve long-lasting performance while minimizing maintenance, the curtain wall uses a suspension-based installation system. Conventional stick-framed systems typically depend on bottom sealants, but these can deteriorate with age and compromise performance. In our system, each panel is instead supported from above. 

You may want to know more about why we choose this system, and the exact reasons are as below:

  • The first reason is that it eliminates concerns over long-term sealant degradation.
  • Then, it can maintain stable and reliable structural performance under heavy loads.
  • Last but not least, it is capable of creating a clean, refined appearance suitable for the museum’s premium interior.
Royal World Culture Museum – Interior Glass Curtain Wall, Riyadh

2. Aluminum-Steel Hybrid Mullions

After collaborating closely with consultants and the museum owner, SunFrame developed a hybrid solution, which was subsequently adopted. This approach has the 3 main advantages:

  • Strengthensstructural stability to safely support heavy panels
  • Enhances the visual elegance of the museum interior
  • Optimizes weight distribution, facilitating installation and easing stress on the supporting structure

3. Comprehensive Component Analysis

All major components like glass panels, aluminum transoms, steel frames, and mullions with stiffeners have undergone a thorough evaluation based on US engineering standards. As a result, this multi-dimensional analysis:

  • Performs reliably under operational loads
  • Responds well to seismic and structural stresses
  • Aligns perfectly for a flawless façade finish

Then, let’s find out what benefits these solutions can bring.

Key Advantages

 Large-format jumbo glass panels create uninterrupted views and a premium atmosphere.

 Aluminum-steel composite mullions combine strength with refined aesthetics.

 Suspension-based installation system minimizes maintenance and enhances longevity.

 Sloped and double jumbo partitions offer architectural sophistication and design flexibility.

 Comprehensive engineering analysis validates safety, durability, and functionality.

 Advanced installation approach overcomes challenges of heavy, large-volume panels with specialized equipment and meticulous workflow planning.

We should know that making these advantages a reality on the ground relies on a dedicated team and meticulous execution, so we will introduce our construction team to you below.

Construction Team

We are very proud to show you our construction team for the Royal World Culture Museum. It consists of 12 members, including both international expertise and local workforce. SunFrame has dispatched two senior specialists to oversee the curtain wall installation, bringing technical leadership and precision. The remaining team members are skilled local workers, who are recruited to support on-site operations.

SunFrame Construction Team For KSPM
Curtain Wall Frame Installation

There’ s no doubt that working together in this way not only raises the project’s overall quality but also reflects Vision 2030’s commitment to developing local skills and expertise.

Handling panels that weigh nearly two tons is no small feat. Each unit is carefully lifted from the staging area using a 30-ton crane track, while forklifts with over 5-ton capacity move additional materials into the museum. Once on-site, spider cranes with a 3-ton capacity maneuver the panels into position, and glass suction lifters help the team make precise millimeter adjustments. Manlifts give the crew safe access to assemble the supporting frames, so that every movement can be carefully coordinated.

Every stage has been carefully planned in advance, enabling SunFrame to carry out each step with precision and safety, while achieving world-class standards through strong local participation.

Now, with every panel and tool accounted for, the focus shifts to turning plans into action on-site.

Project Status & Collaboration

The 2,700 m² interior glass curtain wall, entrusted to SunFrame, is still under construction. Now, installation is progressing according to plan, with close coordination between SunFrame engineers, project consultants, and the museum team. Thanks to that, the SunFrame team can:

 Maximize engineering efficiency

 Maintain the highest standards of structural safety

 Deliver architectural impact, tackling the challenges of heavy, large-format glass panels while shaping a modern, elegant museum interior

Jumbo Glass on the Temporary storage rack

Conclusion

SunFrame’s contribution to the Royal World Culture Museum (KSPM) interior glass curtain wall demonstrates its expertise in large-scale, high-performance façade solutions. Through innovative suspension-based installation, aluminum-steel hybrid mullions, and meticulous structural analysis, the project transforms the challenges of heavy, large-format glass panels into a stunning, durable, and modern interior.

Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, this landmark museum adds value to King Salman Park through engineering excellence, design vision, and collaborative planning. Finally, it will establish a benchmark for cultural and architectural excellence.

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