Alifabs were commissioned by the Saudi Government in 1990 with a brief to design, build and install an abstract sculpture depicting a bird in flight. The sitting of such a majestic and inspirational structure was to be at the entrance to the King Abdul Aziz University (KAAU) in Saudi Arabia.
Alifabs were entrusted with the design, modelling, wind tunnel testing, manufacture, trial erection, delivery and final installation of this beautifully proportioned sculpture.
The entire structure was firstly trial assembled at the factory in Woking before being shipped to Jeddah.
Made of aluminimum, clad in stainless steel and fixed to a reinforced 2000 tonne concrete foundation, the structure has an overall wing span of 37 meters (the same as a Boeing 757 aeroplane) and a height of 11 meters with a length of 24 meters. Each wing consists of aluminimum trusses braced together and clad in brushed stainless steel panels secured with hidden secret fixings that accommodate the thermal movement expected in such a desert like location.
A KAAU architect said at the time "in the university's history, this is the only contract that has been completed on programme ….a fine example of British design, engineering and workmanship."
The million pound contract was completed within a 53 week period including 10 weeks of site installation in Jeddah with the aid of local workmen.
The sculpture now stands wings spread proudly across the motorway leading up to the university. | 
