With a name and design invoking a traditional desert theme, the Sahara Centre makes its own distinctive contribution to the Emirate of Sharjah. Its mock-tent domes are straight from the pages of Sinbad – appropriate enough for a mall intent on making shopping an adventure.

Indeed this 500,000 square foot centre boasts its own ‘Adventureland’, a sprawling family entertainment complex mimicking an Aztec kingdom. With well over a hundred retail stores plus restaurants, cafes and cineplex, it’s easy to understand the Sahara Centre’s motto: ‘Go Shop. Go Play’.

Client: Bukhatir Investments
Architect: PHB Architects
Main Contractor: Bin Ladin Group
Completed: January 2002

Arabian Profile provided a customized solution to ensure guaranteed waterproofing of the Sahara’s multi-faceted roofing structure and distinctive arched ‘eyebrows’. Using a combination of standing seam and Glass Fibre Reinforced Polyester (GRP)

APL provided: Approximately 22,000m2 of vault barreled insulated roofing. Acoustic false ceiling panels. Structural fire resistant composite decking. Insulated inverted roofing system with bonded waterproofing.

Structural steel facade supporting system fixed to concrete structure and conveying horizontal reaction to space truss with flexibility to move in 3 directions. Composite insulated facade panels, also with three-directional movement allowance.