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Diriyah Biennale Foundation announces winners of inaugural AlMusalla Prize The Musalla will be dismantled after the four-month Biennale and reassembled at a new location
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced EAST Architecture Studio, in collaboration with artist Rayyane Tabet and UK-based engineers AKT II, as the winners of the first-ever AlMusalla Prize. This architectural competition, part of the Islamic Arts Biennale, celebrates innovative and sustainable designs for a prayer space, or Musalla, to be built at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The winning design, a modular structure inspired by regional weaving traditions, utilizes sustainable materials from local date palm trees, including palm fronds and fibers. After its use during the four-month Biennale, the Musalla will be disassembled and rebuilt at a new location, demonstrating its commitment to both sustainability and adaptability. Selected from a shortlist of renowned architects, the winning team's design reflects the Islamic values of togetherness and proximity in prayer, while also addressing environmental sustainability. The project serves as a prototype for future regional architecture, with its unique use of local materials and modular design offering a blueprint for sustainable construction rooted in tradition. The Musalla's design also pays homage to Jeddah's vernacular architecture, with references to traditional methods seen in AlBalad, the city's historic district. The structure's open central courtyard and woven-like prayer spaces evoke a loom, while the use of natural dyes and textiles further enhances its aesthetic appeal. The pavilion is set within a landscape grid inspired by the layout of palm-tree plantations. The jury, chaired by Prince Nawaf Bin Ayyaf, praised the project for its innovative blend of architecture, art, and engineering, along with its inclusive and community-oriented design. The Musalla is set to be unveiled during the Islamic Arts Biennale, which opens on January 25, 2025. Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, lauded the winning team's ability to merge creativity, sustainability, and cultural heritage, describing the Musalla as an inspiring space that will invite reflection and connection. — SG
