Lead Architect : Daniel Kaldas
Architect : Haidy Wael [Rendering]
Architect : Abdelaziz Elgendy [Details]
Retal Mosque
Year
2021
Location
al Dammam, KSA
Scope
Design Competition
Status
Shortlisted
Project Description
The Retal Mosque competition, organized by the Abdullatif Al Fozan Awards for Mosque Architecture in 2021, invited designs for two mosques on different plots within Retal City. The project brief required the design of a mosque accompanied by residences for both the Muathen and the Imam, ensuring their privacy was maintained. A key design challenge was to create a space that accommodates both gentlemen and ladies while providing appropriate separation.
The material selection and proportional system aimed to harmonize the architecture with the region's climate and urban fabric. A detailed study of the context informed the placement of the prayer hall and the minaret, which serves as a prominent landmark. Additional solutions leveraged the potential of the thick walls inherent in the load-bearing system, integrating various facilities for worshippers seamlessly into the design.
Concept
Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light.
A journey that leads worshipers from the darkness to the the main prayer hall, where the ceiling showers the space with light. A space made of rammed earth, isolated acoustically and thermally from the surroundings.The study of the mosque entrances provides an equal and inclusive experience for all users while offering a progressive spatial journey. This journey transitions worshippers from the soothing shade of the exterior to the soft, tranquil light of the prayer hall. The design orchestrates this progression to create a sense of calm and reverence, preparing worshippers both physically and spiritually for the act of prayer. This curated pathway is not merely functional but serves as a deliberate prelude to the sacred experience, enhancing the connection between the individual and the space.
A journey that leads worshipers from the darkness to the the main prayer hall, where the ceiling showers the space with light. A space made of rammed earth, isolated acoustically and thermally from the surroundings.The study of the mosque entrances provides an equal and inclusive experience for all users while offering a progressive spatial journey. This journey transitions worshippers from the soothing shade of the exterior to the soft, tranquil light of the prayer hall. The design orchestrates this progression to create a sense of calm and reverence, preparing worshippers both physically and spiritually for the act of prayer. This curated pathway is not merely functional but serves as a deliberate prelude to the sacred experience, enhancing the connection between the individual and the space.
