Diriyah Co. Announces Winners of Architectural Design Competition for Diriyah Mosques
In an effort to showcase local talent in Islamic architecture and enhance the architectural landscape of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. recently concluded an architectural design competition for Diriyah mosques. The competition saw the participation of talented male and female architects, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
Supporting Creative Talent in Islamic Architecture
The Diriyah Mosques Architectural Design Competition aimed to support and promote the development of sustainable construction while showcasing the skills of local architects. The winners of the competition were announced during the annual Diriyah Suhoor at the Bujairi Terrace in the historic Wadi Hanifah.
Participants were tasked with submitting designs for two mosques in Diriyah, constructed in the Najdi style using traditional building techniques and materials from the region. The competition sought to highlight the rich cultural heritage of Diriyah and the authentic architectural style of the region.
Recognizing Creativity and Sustainability
A total of 170 submissions were received for the competition, with 11 designs making it to the final evaluation stage. The jury, consisting of highly qualified professional architects, evaluated the designs based on their compatibility with the master plan for Diriyah, design brief, and integration with the ancient heritage of the region.
Three groups consisting of 12 participants emerged as the winners, with their designs being recognized for their creativity, sustainability, and emphasis on Najdi culture and heritage. The winning entries for first and second place will be used in the construction of the two mosques, contributing to the development of the urban landscape in Diriyah.
Wide Participation and Global Interest
The competition, which was launched in July, garnered widespread interest with 539 male and female students from 31 universities participating. Among the participants were students from the Kingdom, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and three international institutions, submitting a total of 296 designs.