250 Umbrellas For Pilgrims in Medina

Since September 2010, a total of 250 umbrellas, each one with a surface area of 25.5 x 25.5 m and 15 meters high, have been installed in the area surrounding the mosque in Medina al-Munawwarah. These umbrellas work together to form a shaded area of 143,000 m2 – greater than the floor area of the mosque itself. When closed, each umbrella – including its working parts – is encased in a narrow, elegant column. The opening and closing procedure only takes three minutes. The outcome of this combination: by shading with PTFE fabric, the ambient temperature is reduced by at least 8 °C.

via SEFAR (images via b3designers and SEFAR)