The design by Pace offers unparalleled fusion of spirituality, modernity and sustainability
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – -: The World Architecture Festival, the largest live-judged architecture awards programme, recently announced the winners of its 2024 awards. The Retal Mosque project, a ground-breaking architectural concept spearheaded by architecture and design firm Pace, has won in WAF’s prestigious Future Project: Competition Entries category.
In a live event in Singapore, a jury of 175 industry experts selected finalists across 43 categories, celebrating over 480 innovative architectural projects from 71 countries. As one of the most esteemed events in global architecture and design, WAF celebrated projects that challenge traditional design norms, and the Retal Mosque exemplifies this spirit by reshaping the mosque experience for the modern era.
Commenting on the award, Pace CEO, Architect Tarek Shuaib said, “We are incredibly honoured to receive this prestigious global award, which stands as a reflection of our commitment to setting and exceeding international standards in architecture and design. This award is not only a testament to the hard work and creativity of everyone involved, but is also a reflection of the values we hold as a firm, as well as our dedication to creating designs that resonate on a global scale.”
As an iconic project nestled in the heart of Nesaj Town 2 in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, the Retal Mosque redefines what a mosque can be, providing an innovative yet spiritually resonant space that serves not only as a place of worship but as a beacon of sustainability, beauty and community-centred design. With its striking, “floating gem” design, the mosque invites worshippers into an architectural oasis, providing a place of refuge from the surrounding urban landscape and a venue to reconnect with faith, community and self.
Shuaib explained that “Our vision was to create a mosque that resonates with both the traditional and contemporary sensibilities of the community, reflective of Islamic values while pushing the boundaries of what a mosque can be architecturally. We wanted the Retal Mosque to reflect the spiritual journey itself. The experience of entering the mosque is meant to feel transformative, like stepping into a sanctuary where the outside world slows down.”
The mosque’s interior holds a deep sense of serenity, with carefully designed spaces for both male and female worshippers. The lifted structure shelters a sunken male prayer hall, creating an isolated environment conducive to introspection and prayer, while the ground-level female prayer space emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility.
Reflective pools, pathways and a rotating canopy oriented toward the Qibla harness natural elements of light and water, allowing worshippers to experience a setting that is meditative, serene and connected to nature.
Consistent with Retal’s vision, “We build for generations,” and drawing inspiration from LEED and WELL standards, Pace ensured that commitment to sustainable architecture is woven into every element of the design. Among its main green approaches is a self-shading building, whereby the mosque utilizes a large canopy to create passive shading, effectively minimizing thermal heat gain. In addition, its sunken prayer hall naturally reduces temperatures.
Furthermore, trees populate the courtyard, extending into the community park, and enhancing thermal comfort while providing a lush, green respite within the mosque’s surroundings. Reflective pools and water features further cool the environment, reducing the need for mechanical cooling systems.
Another sustainable concept integrated into the design is the reuse of water. The mosque’s courtyard has been designed with a gentle slope to channel rainwater into a grey-water recycling system, which is then used for fountains and irrigation, reinforcing the mosque’s role as a community space deeply rooted in environmental stewardship.
“The Retal Mosque represents the future of religious spaces – places that embrace modernity without losing sight of cultural and spiritual depth. This award is a monumental achievement for us at Pace and contributes to our vision to continue creating spaces that serve communities, uplift the human spirit and honour our environment,” Shuaib concluded.
