omani studio altqadum sculpts ephemeral mosque 'masjid bab al salam'

omani studio altqadum sculpts ephemeral mosque 'masjid bab al salam'

Masjid Bab Al Salam: modern design from omani tradition

 

In the pursuit of celebrating Omani architecture and instilling a spiritual experience, architecture studio Altqadum seeks to transcend conventional design with its newly completed Masjid Bab Al Salam. The design team notes that its guiding principle is not merely ‘what,’ but ‘how’ it could integrate tradition, sustainability, and monumentality into a singular work.

 

The inception of the concept behind Masjid Bab Al Salam centered around the ‘spiritual realm,’ intricately woven with Omani heritage. Altqadum envisioned a design that echoes the simplicity of historical mosques while resonating with contemporary functionality. Crafting a monument that speaks to both present and future generations posed a significant challenge, requiring a delicate balance of tradition and modernity. The project comprises a Men’s hall, Women’s hall, Men’s ablution space, Women’s ablution space, and an open public space.

Altqadum Masjid Bab Salamimages © Firas Al Raisi

 

 

altqadum draws from historic mosques

 

The team at Altqadum was driven by its desire to infuse life into its Masjid Bab Al Salam, creating a public space that breathes vitality into a place of worship. Delving into the roots of Omani architecture, Altqadum rediscovered the elegance in simplicity, drawing inspiration from traditional mosques. Departing from the ordinary, they scrutinized the user’s journey and redefined the mosque’s main functions, both architecturally and experientially. With an ambitious client pushing boundaries, the journey faced its first hurdles during the approval process with local authorities. Deeply connected to the community, Altqadum’s design raised questions about form, size, and color. Clear communication and unwavering determination were key, ensuring that the concept resonated authentically without misinterpretation.

Altqadum Masjid Bab Salam
Altqadum’s Masjid Bab Al Salam blends tradition, sustainability, and monumentality

 

 

lightweight construction and luminous interiors

 

To realize its vision for Masjid Bab Al Salam, Altqadum developed innovative construction techniques and meticulous material choices. The Men’s hall ceiling slab, utilizing the lightweight Cobiax technology, which minimizes concrete use and reduces overall weight, showcasing a commitment to sustainability. The construction of the Minaret employs a specialized shuttering system, carefully orchestrated in stages to achieve its distinctive form.

The Men’s hall chandelier, a masterpiece of over 1,600 crystal glass balls, pays homage to Islamic architectural features, echoing the familiar dome sensation. In the Men’s ablution space, a landscape island ingeniously directs splashed water for reuse in irrigation, marrying functionality with sustainability. Omani marble ablution seats, crafted by local artisans, infuse a natural feel and durability into the open space.

Altqadum Masjid Bab Salam
rooted in Omani heritage, the design balances simplicity and contemporary functionality Altqadum Masjid Bab Salam
Altqadum breathes vitality into the public space and draws inspiration from historic mosques omani studio altqadum sculpts ephemeral mosque 'masjid bab al salam'
the studio aims for its architecture to resonate authentically within the deeply connected community

masjid-bab-al-salam-altqadum-designboom-06a

a dome-like chandelier of over 1600 crystal glass balls pays homage to Islamic architectural features

omani studio altqadum sculpts ephemeral mosque 'masjid bab al salam'
innovative building techniques ensure a lightweight, sustainable construction

masjid-bab-al-salam-altqadum-designboom-08a

Masjid Bab Al Salam encourages public engagement and bridges the past and future

 

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project info:

 

project title: Masjid Bab Al Salam

architecture: Altqadum | @altqadum

location: Muscat, Oman

lead architect: Marwan AlBalushi

built area: 2,000 square meters

completion: 2023

photography: © Firas Al Raisi

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