Diriyah Biennale announces winner of the 2024 AlMusalla Prize

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced the winner of the 2024 AlMusalla Prize, an architectural competition to create an innovative prayer space at King Abdulaziz International Airport’s Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported. (SPA)

• The winning team includes Lebanon and UAE-based East Architecture Studio, British engineering firm AKT II, and Lebanese artist Rayyane Tabet
• Design combines Islamic architecture and heritage with modern sustainable practices and is inspired by palm tree farms in the Kingdom

RIYADH: The Diriyah Biennale Foundation announced the winner of the 2024 AlMusalla Prize, an architectural competition to create an innovative prayer space at King Abdulaziz International Airport’s Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The successful design team includes East Architecture Studio, which has offices in Lebanon and the UAE; British engineering firm AKT II; and Lebanese artist Rayyane Tabet, who splits his time between Beirut and San Francisco.
The team said they set out to design a communal prayer area that combines traditional Islamic architecture with modern sustainable practices, with the aim of creating a serene, inclusive space in which people can reflect on and engage with the rich artistic and spiritual traditions of Islam.
The design of the 6x6-meter space, inspired by palm tree farms in the Kingdom, will be constructed using materials derived from the trees, an abundant natural resource in Saudi Arabia, including wood and fronds. This choice reflects a revival in local crafts and architecture inspired by Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad neighborhood.
According to SPA, the space is designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, with an open courtyard in addition to designated areas for prayers. The interior of the musalla, or prayer space, will be adorned with layers of textiles colored with dyes that use natural pigments, with the aim of creating a connection between worshippers and their environment.
Prince Nawaf bin Nayef, who chaired the prize jury, said the winning project balances traditional Islamic architectural principles with an innovative, modern, eco-friendly design. The use of palm trees symbolizes the region’s cultural and environmental connections, he added, while the simplicity and versatility of the design means it can be easily assembled and disassembled, making it a model for sustainable architecture.
Aya Al-Bakri, the CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, praised the successful team for creating a prayer space that embodies the values of openness and community and reflects the broader mission of the Islamic Arts Biennale to promote cultural exchanges.
The musalla will be installed as a central feature of the Islamic Arts Biennale, which begins on Jan. 25, 2025, and will remain there for four months before being moved to the airport.