Under its design & built contract, MERO-TSK was not only responsible for the design, the structural calculation and the construction, but also for the production and erection of the complete steel structure.
Resplendent in the signal red of the Scuderia, Ferrari World rises like a landmark at the center of the island. The design of Benoy Architects aimed at the creation of a building expressive of all the emotions and values which raised Ferrari to iconic status during the last five years. The dynamic, aggressive design of the roof evokes associations with the flowing lines typical for the body of a Formula 1 Ferrari.
Ferrari World is covered by a gigantic free-formed roof. The complete roof structure with a surface of almost 200,000 sqm consists of a MERO KK space frame structure. With a total of approximately 172,000 members and 43,100 nodes, this is the largest space frame structure ever built worldwide.
The total building is composed of the individual parts funnel, shield and triforms. The so-called shield with a surface of 86,200 sqm is the big central structure, with a maximal diameter of 377 m, surrounded by facades. In the centre of the shield, the imposing glazed funnel catches the eye. With a total surface of 9,440 sqm, it measures 100 m in diameter at the point where it meets the roof of the shield and tapers to a diameter of 18 m at the ground level. The three open triforms of the periphery extend the central shield in star-shape and cover an area of approx. 100.000 sqm. Starting as mere extensions of the shield, the triforms are each split into two prongs when they reach a third of their total length, and they end in three-dimensional curving tips at a maximal distance from the shield of 284 m.
The layout of the space frame grid in the area of the shield was optimized in terms of size and dimensions. This allowed a dimensioning of the individual constructive elements which was ideal from a cost-related point of view as well as with regard to installation procedures. At the same time, the generous grid size combined with the predominantly small member diameters creates the impression of a surprisingly airy structure.
The start of the Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi on 1 November 2009 set the deadline for the completion of the project. This led to further heavy demands on the organisation of the production, logistics and installation process.
Not unsurprisingly for a project of this enormous size, the project management had made very strict requirements regarding Health & Safety, which MERO-TSK observed and enforced with equal strictness. With more than 720,000 man hours without any working time lost due to accidents. MERO-TSK had its fair share in the nomination as “Winner of the Best Achievement in Construction Health & Safety 2008” which Aldar Properties PJSC – YAS Island Projects was awarded by SHP IOSH.
To achieve the fullest satisfaction of clients and partners by high quality solutions with a distinctive design is part of MERO-TSK’s philosophy. Ferrari World is an excellent illustration of this.
The key data of this project read like a list of superlatives, and the demands on production, logistic and erection as well as the extreme deadline pressure touched on the outer limits of the technically feasible. But thanks to decades of experience in the field of elementized building systems and thanks to the absolute dedication of the whole team, MERO-TSK has once again realized a unique milestone in the history of architecture.
