Sheikh Kalifa Mosque
The Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque in Al Ain features the UAE’s largest steel-framed dome, spanning 282 feet in diameter and rising 98 feet high.
DeSimone engineered the structure to support the expansive dome on just 12 perimeter columns, creating a fully open, column-free main prayer hall.
| Client | Department of Presidential Affairs (UAE) |
|---|---|
| Architect: | Bayaty Architects |
| Size | 2 Stories | 186,820 SF (15,683 SM) |
| Sustainability | Solar power |
| Offices: | Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Completion: | 2018 |
Concrete systems were used extensively throughout the complex. The slab beneath the dome includes post-tensioned sections to manage concentrated loads and limit cracking. Foundations and minaret supports were also constructed from reinforced concrete to deliver long-term durability in the region’s arid climate. Each of the mosque’s four minarets rises approximately 197 feet and anchors the mosque’s geometric layout.
A perimeter arcade, built with precast concrete slabs, connects the prayer hall to additional facilities including ablution buildings, classrooms, administrative offices, and underground parking. Precast elements in the arcade helped accelerate construction and maintain finish quality under extreme temperatures.
The mosque accommodates over 20,000 worshippers across indoor and outdoor spaces. Its structure supports complex architectural forms—including long-span domes, soaring vertical towers, and circulation-intensive courtyards—while maintaining the performance, stability, and constructability required for a civic institution of this scale and visibility
