Client: Business Charity Foundation for Building Mosques
Location: Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Services Provided: Architecture and Interior Design
Total Built-up Area: 15,908 m²
Construction Cost: US $27,463,000
Starting Date: 2017
Completion Date: 2018
Challenge:
The Makkah Mosques Project aimed to design eight mosques within the Holy City, each reflecting the spiritual essence and architectural identity of Makkah. The challenge was to honor the sacred nature of the city while ensuring each mosque remained distinct and contextually relevant. Additionally, the project required a harmonious balance between tradition and contemporary functionality, allowing these religious spaces to serve both everyday prayers and large Friday congregations while integrating cultural and environmental considerations.
Approach:
Designed by Dar Al Omran - Rasem Badran (DAO-Badran), the concept drew inspiration from the timeless architectural heritage of Makkah, ensuring that each of the eight mosques resonated with the region’s unique spiritual and cultural identity. The mosques were classified into four everyday mosques and four Friday mosques, each varying in scale but unified through a cohesive architectural language. The design incorporated key Islamic architectural elements, such as serene courtyards, shaded arcades, and intricately detailed prayer halls, ensuring that the spaces fostered both spiritual reflection and communal interaction.
Material selection focused on locally sourced stone and traditional craftsmanship, reinforcing authenticity and durability while ensuring seamless integration into the urban and religious fabric of Makkah. The spatial planning emphasized accessibility, natural ventilation, and intuitive movement, enhancing the experience for worshippers while accommodating large congregations efficiently.
Impact:
The Makkah Mosques Project stands as a significant contribution to the architectural and spiritual landscape of the Holy City, offering worshippers a deeply rooted yet modernized experience of prayer and reflection. By bridging the past with the present, the project ensures that these mosques not only serve their religious function but also celebrate the enduring legacy of Makkah’s architectural identity. Through meticulous craftsmanship, a sensitive approach to cultural heritage, and an emphasis on spiritual connectivity, these mosques stand as symbols of faith, unity, and continuity in one of the holiest cities in Islam.
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