| Category | Urban Planning | Religious |
|---|---|
| Year | 2009 |
| Size | 250, 200sqm |
Projects
Grand Mosque at Riyadh Al Wady
Celestially Aligned
The Grand Mosque was designed to anchor not just the religious zone but the entire Riyadh Al Wady concept master plan project. It sits majestically over a large water body, at the edge of the sprawling public park; and was designed along Islamic landscaping principles that incorporates the use of water, geometry and lush greenery.
The arrangement of the mosques in the entire master plan takes reference from the Aquila constellation, with the Grand Mosque occupying the position of the alpha star and a strong visual axis aligning the Grand Mosque to Mecca. At 270m, its sole minaret will be the tallest freestanding minaret in the world. The park cascades down the slopes to the wady, connecting the facilities on the lower elevations to the mosque on the upper plateau.
Details
Like a precious gem showcased in a jewel box, the mosque massing is expressed as a crystalline form contained within a frame-like cube form. The latter represents the delineation of the spiritual realm. The components within the Grand Mosque are stacked according to hierarchy with the spiritual zone, represented by prayer hall, on the uppermost level. The cube houses an observation deck and gallery on the upper ring. The tall minaret doubles up as a wind tower and solar energy collector to supplement the energy supply. The visitors’ centre, communal hall and staff housing blocks are scattered like gems in the adjacent gardens.
The deep human engagement and sensitive integration of the city with the wady goes beyond aesthetics and includes cosmological, environmental, social and experiential aspects.
At night, the crystal mosque glows as light radiates from the perforated and glazed façade. Lighting fixtures enhance the edges of the cube frame, while lights suspended from tension cables above the crystal form mimic the stars. The soaring minaret transforms into a beacon of light as an urban marker.
Nestled within the heritage-rich Wady Hanifa in Saudi Arabia, the five zones of the master plan – a castle zone, an entertainment zone, a downtown zone, a religious zone and a wellness zone – are designed with a deep respect for the natural form of the wady.
Specialist Services
Integrated services provided for this project.