The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has unveiled the winners of the first-ever AlMusalla Prize, an international architectural competition that aims to redefine spaces of prayer and contemplation. This prestigious award is part of the Islamic Arts Biennale and seeks to create a Musalla—a designated area for prayer and reflection—on the site of the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The winning Musalla will be inaugurated alongside the opening of the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale on January 25, 2025, before being carefully disassembled and reconstructed at a different location after the Biennale concludes.
The AlMusalla Prize attracted international attention for its ambitious vision of fusing contemporary architectural thinking with Islamic tradition, calling for designs that can accommodate both Muslims and non-Muslims, while maintaining a focus on sustainability, adaptability, and cultural reverence. Teams of architects, artists, and engineers were invited to collaborate in conceiving a Musalla that would be both innovative and respectful of the rich architectural and spiritual heritage of the region.
The Winning Design: EAST Architecture Studio, AKT II, and Rayyane Tabet
After a rigorous selection process, the EAST Architecture Studio in collaboration with AKT II and artist Rayyane Tabet emerged as the winner. The jury, chaired by Prince Nawaf Bin Ayyaf, included renowned figures such as Farrokh Derakhshani, director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture; Lina Ghotmeh, a celebrated architect known for her interdisciplinary approach; Azra Akšamija, an artist and cultural historian; and Ali Malkawi, a leading expert in sustainable building technologies.
The project’s concept is deeply rooted in the spiritual principles of Islam, centering on the idea of nearness—both to the divine and to the community. The design is intended to evoke a sense of closeness through its spatial configuration, inviting a harmonious balance between solitude and shared spirituality. The winning team’s proposal envisions a flexible space that blends artistry and devotion, creating an environment that is welcoming and sacred at the same time.
A Fusion of Tradition and Sustainability
One of the defining features of the project is its focus on sustainable materials and construction techniques. Drawing from the ecological heritage of the region, the team proposed using waste from date palm trees found in the surrounding areas to build the primary pavilion structure. Palm timber, a locally abundant material, is at the core of the design, which will be used in a modular fashion to create a Musalla that can be easily assembled, disassembled, and transported.
The design is heavily influenced by the traditional building methods of Jeddah’s historical AlBalad district, renowned for its distinctive coral-stone architecture and intricate wooden latticework. Additionally, the project incorporates elements of weaving, inspired by the rich local craft traditions, to create a structure that reflects the interwoven nature of community and spirituality in Islamic culture.
A Space for Personal and Communal Reflection
The Musalla will not only serve as a place for prayer but also as a site for cultural exchange, welcoming both Muslims and non-Muslims into its serene environment. The jury praised the project for its inclusive and contemporary interpretation of Islamic architecture, highlighting its versatility and ability to function as a space of contemplation, meditation, and dialogue.
Prince Nawaf Bin Ayyaf, chair of the AlMusalla Prize jury, remarked: “The winning design brilliantly marries sustainability with an original perspective on Musalla architecture, utilizing not only local materials like palm timber in a modular structure, but also inspired by the rich local tradition of weaving. This interdisciplinary collaboration between architects, an artist, and engineers has resulted in a contemporary interpretation of Islamic architecture that feels both sacred and inclusive.”
He continued by commending the team’s deep understanding of the architectural heritage and their forward-thinking approach: “The result is a revolutionary prototype that utilizes unique construction materials and methods, which will hopefully serve as a blueprint for an incredibly sustainable future of regional architecture that is deeply rooted in local traditions.”
A New Blueprint for Regional Islamic Architecture
The AlMusalla Prize aims to set a precedent for how contemporary Islamic architecture can blend tradition with modernity. By using innovative techniques and sustainable practices, the winning team’s design offers a prototype for future architectural projects in the region, demonstrating how Islamic values of humility, community, and sustainability can be embodied in the built environment.
The Musalla, as envisioned by EAST Architecture Studio, AKT II, and Rayyane Tabet, is not just a physical structure, but a symbol of the evolving dialogue between spirituality, community, and the environment. Its design acknowledges the historical significance of Islamic spaces of worship, while presenting a vision that looks toward the future—a future where architectural excellence, ecological responsibility, and cultural sensitivity coexist harmoniously.
With the AlMusalla Prize, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation has not only launched a new architectural competition but also set the stage for a dynamic reinterpretation of Islamic architecture on a global platform. The winning project stands as a testament to the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration in creating spaces that are both rooted in tradition and responsive to contemporary challenges, making it a landmark achievement for the Islamic Arts Biennale and a promising contribution to the future of architecture in the region.
