01. Site Survey & Client Requirements
The project is located on the roof of a standalone indoor pool pavilion within a private villa compound in Dubai. The central skylight opening sits within a steel-framed roof structure with corrugated metal decking on both sides.
- Large clear roof opening: The existing structure provided an approximately 9.21 m × 6.15 m central skylight well that required a custom moving roof system.
- High-temperature environment: The roof assembly had to operate under intense desert heat and repeated thermal expansion cycles.
- Dust and sand exposure: Tracks, seals and moving parts needed to remain serviceable in a dusty outdoor roof environment.
- Low roof dead load: The client wanted a lighter transparent infill material than heavy architectural glass.
- Clear-sky requirement: When open, the retractable modules had to move away from the central pool opening rather than remain stacked over the aperture.
- Independent inspection: The project required factory verification by SGS before shipment.
02. Conceptual Design & Kinematic Simulation
SUNRAY developed a center-opening bi-parting telescopic roof so the two moving assemblies could retract toward opposite sides of the pavilion.
2.1 Bi-Parting Telescopic Movement
The retractable roof is split into two mirrored moving groups. During opening, the central modules travel outward and nest over the bilateral parking tracks positioned on the adjacent roof deck.
2.2 Low-Profile Arched Geometry
The roof modules use a low-profile faceted arch to provide clearance above the pool while keeping the moving structure visually compact on the villa roof.
2.3 Integrated Drainage
Dedicated aluminum water troughs were incorporated along the track interfaces so rainwater can be collected and directed away from the indoor pool opening.
03. Shop Drawings & Structural Interface Coordination
Certified engineering shop drawings were used to coordinate the steel roof frame, moving aluminum modules, bilateral parking tracks and drainage interfaces before production.
3.1 Steel Subframe & Foundation Interface
- Steel members documented in the source include UB178×102×19 and UB203×102×23 sections.
- The steel roof and purlin layout establishes the support lines for the retractable tracks.
- Reinforced concrete footing and base-plate details are included in the structural drawing set.
3.2 Retractable Roof Track Layout
- Clear opening width: 9,208 mm
- Approximate clear sky aperture after retraction: 9,000 mm
- Overall runway baseline: 13,880 mm
- Bilateral parking extensions: approximately 2,333.5 mm / 2,401.5 mm
- Overall arch height datum: approximately 1,000 mm
- Drain-water trough coordinated along the primary longitudinal track interface
04. Precision Manufacturing & Factory Quality Control
Manufacturing focused on structural aluminum accuracy, reinforced corner joints, repeatable arch geometry and integrated electrical-routing provisions.
- 6063-T6 C-Series profiles were machined in the 100 × 68 × 5.0 mm section used for the main moving frames.
- Galvanized steel internal corner brackets were laser-cut for reinforced frame-node connections.
- Arched roof members were formed to the required contour for repeatable nesting between moving modules.
- Internal channels were prepared for the project's integrated dual-color LED lighting.
05. 1:1 Factory Pre-Assembly & SGS Third-Party Inspection
Before shipment, the complete retractable roof was assembled and operated at the factory, with key inspection activities witnessed by SGS.
5.1 Full-Scale Pre-Assembly & Motion Test
- Both moving roof groups were assembled on the full track system.
- Bi-parting opening and closing motion was tested for synchronized travel.
- Roller movement and track alignment were checked under the assembled roof modules.
- Profile and panel dimensions were measured against the project specification.
5.2 SGS Inspection Scope
- Dimensional verification of key aluminum profile and frame measurements.
- Inspection of the 5 mm polycarbonate material and UV-related product characteristics described in the project record.
- Operational review of the full-stroke motorized bi-parting movement.
- Inspection of weather-seal contact and emergency/manual disengagement functions documented in the source.
06. Export Packaging & Container Logistics
After factory inspection, the roof modules, tracks and transparent panels were protected for shipment from China to Dubai.
- Major frame members and roof panels were wrapped with protective foam and film.
- Components were enclosed in reinforced export plywood crates.
- Oversized crates were handled with coordinated forklift loading into a 40 ft High-Cube container.
07. On-Site Rooftop Installation in Dubai
After arrival in Dubai, the prefabricated retractable system was installed directly onto the prepared steel roof structure.
7.1 Track Anchorage & Laser Calibration
The multi-channel guide tracks and bilateral parking extensions were fixed to the structural steel support lines and calibrated for straightness, level and parallel alignment across the full runway.
7.2 Module Assembly & Drive Commissioning
The labeled roof modules were assembled on the calibrated tracks, followed by connection and commissioning of the motorized drive, LED lighting and EPDM sealing system.
08. Final Handover & Residential Operation
Following final commissioning and protective-film removal, the retractable roof was handed over for residential use above the indoor swimming pool.
- Open-sky conversion: The bi-parting modules retract onto the bilateral parking zones, leaving the central roof opening largely clear.
- Solar and weather protection: The transparent polycarbonate enclosure provides overhead protection when closed while maintaining daylight.
- Dust-control strategy: EPDM wiping seals and enclosed track interfaces help reduce airborne dust entering the pool area.
- Architectural integration: The white low-profile roof modules sit directly above the existing metal roof and villa architecture.
- Smart operation: Motorized movement and integrated LED lighting add convenience to the indoor-outdoor pool experience.
09. Application Scenarios
The same retractable roof concept can be adapted to other projects requiring a large transparent opening that can switch between weather protection and open-sky use.
- Luxury villas and private indoor swimming pools
- Hotel and resort pool pavilions
- Courtyard atriums and wellness spaces
- Large-span roof-opening retrofits on existing steel structures