King Abdullah Financial District Mosque

Inspired by a passage in the Qur'an that describes how God placed his throne on a vast body of water before creating the world, our design is a contemporary interpretation of traditional Islamic symbolism. The white, rectangular volume gently rests over a raised pool of reflecting water and sits precisely oriented towards Mecca.

Our surface treatment of the Mosque's exterior begins at the four corners of the structure. Each façade is faceted, originating from the corner and beveling in towards a focal point on each side of the building. An algorithmic interpretation of the eight-pointed Islamic star, we created the metal screens by abstracting a star pattern, and by scaling and superimposing it upon itself. The result is an active, visually dynamic, porous metal and stone façade imagines the future, while calmly grounded in tradition.