Client: Riyadh Development Authority
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Services Provided: Design Competition, Design & Architectural Supervision
Total Built-up Area: 30,000 m²
Construction Cost: US $50,000,000
Starting Date: 1984 (Design) – 1988 (Supervision)
Completion Date: 1985 (Design) – 1992 (Supervision)
Challenge:
The Grand Mosque of Riyadh, also known as Imam Mohammad bin Turki bin Abdullah Mosque, was envisioned as a cornerstone of the revitalization of Riyadh’s historic city center, requiring an architectural intervention that would respect the heritage of Najdi architecture while embracing the modern needs of the growing capital. The challenge was to redefine the mosque’s presence as both a religious sanctuary and an urban landmark, ensuring that its design resonated with the historic identity of Riyadh while integrating contemporary building techniques. Additionally, the project had to seamlessly blend into the evolving urban fabric, addressing pedestrian accessibility, environmental adaptation, and spatial continuity with the surrounding plazas and streets.
Approach:
Designed by Dar Al Omran - Rasem Badran (DAO-Badran), the Grand Mosque was conceived as a spiritual and architectural nucleus, reinforcing the essence of Salmani architecture—a philosophy that embodies heritage, human scale, and contextual harmony.
A meticulous study of traditional Najdi mosque architecture guided the design, ensuring that the volumetric composition, spatial configurations, and materiality reflected the historic essence of Riyadh.
The prayer hall was designed to accommodate 20,000 worshippers, making it one of the largest mosques in the region, while maintaining a human-scaled interior ambiance through layered courtyards, shaded arcades, and a well-balanced hierarchy of spaces.
The project extended beyond religious functions, incorporating Quran schools, administrative offices, retail spaces, and residences, reinforcing the mosque’s role as an integrated civic hub within the historic district.
Passive cooling techniques and traditional Najdi elements were reinterpreted with contemporary materials and advanced construction methods, ensuring environmental efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Impact:
The Grand Mosque of Riyadh stands as a monumental achievement in Islamic and Salmani architecture, seamlessly integrating spiritual, urban, and cultural dimensions into a single, cohesive landmark. By revitalizing Riyadh’s historic core while embracing contemporary construction techniques, the project not only honors the city’s past but also shapes its architectural future. Through its timeless design, environmental sensitivity, and cultural authenticity, the mosque serves as a lasting testament to the enduring legacy of Najdi architecture and its place in the modern metropolis of Riyadh.
Media
Sketches
Comments