Winning design unveiled for Islamic faith museum in Mecca
POSTED 18 Jan 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Mossessian Architecture and Studio Adeline Rispal have won the design competition for the project Credit: Mossessian Architecture/ Studio Adeline Rispal
London studio Mossessian Architecture have won an invited competition to design a museum of the Islamic faith in Mecca (known locally as Makkah), Saudi Arabia.
The firm have partnered with French exhibition architects Studio Adeline Rispal to work on the project in Islam’s most sacred city. The museum – located 7km from the city’s Grand Holy Mosque – will explore the history and practice of Islam and the life of Muhammad, who is believed to have been born in the city.
The design features a spiralling void at its core, leading visitors up through the exhibitions via a continuous ramp system, and back down again on a parallel spiral staircase. The underside of the stairs will be inscribed with the 99 Names of Allah, the names of god in Islam, which visitors can view from a dedicated gallery space at the bottom.
“The central minaret-shaped void is both circular, like the celestial sphere, and ascending, symbolising the spiritual journey,” said Mossessian in a statement. “It calls upon the Muslim community to transcend earthly concerns through their faith, and to pursue the quest for knowledge onwards into infinity.”
The Makkah Museum will include 5,600sq m (60,200sq ft) of permanent and temporary exhibition galleries, an auditorium, a bookstore, a restaurant, and a climate-controlled ‘garden of delight’ on the rooftop.
The architects have described their design as “a unique synthesis between creative faith, heritage and modern technology”. They revealed the museum will be constructed using stones sourced from all of the countries in the world where Islam is practiced, while the interior plinths and alcoves will be formed using Hijaz rock from the local mountains.
The studio added: "When finished, the museum will offer a unique interpretation and reflection of faith to the millions of Muslims who visit Makkah from around the world and who, up until this point, have had no cultural institution of this kind to enhance their visit to the holiest of Muslim cities."
US company Aecom will consult on construction of the museum. The competition was held by Samaya Holdings, but the client, project cost and expected completion date have yet to be revealed.
The museum will provide a cultural institution for the millions of Muslims who visit the city every year, particularly during the annual hajj pilgrimage Credit: Mossessian Architecture/ Studio Adeline Rispal
A climate-controlled 'garden of dreams' will feature on the rooftop Credit: Mossessian Architecture/ Studio Adeline Rispal
The exhibits will explore the history and practice of Islam and the life of Muhammad
Credit: Mossessian Architecture/ Studio Adeline Rispal
The design features a spiraling void at its core, leading visitors up through the exhibitions via a continuous ramp system Credit: Mossessian Architecture/ Studio Adeline Rispal
RELATED STORIES
Starwood Hotels to build three hotels in Mecca POSTED 25 Jun 2013. BY Miguel de Sousa
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has signed an agreement with Jabal Omar Development Company to
open three new hotels in the Holy City of Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia.
Raffles Makkah Palace to open in Mecca POSTED 18 Nov 2009. BY Helen Patenall Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to manage a new luxury hotel in the holy Islamic city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
A Swissôtel first for the Middle East POSTED 03 Nov 2009. BY Martin Nash Construction is under way on Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts' first hotel in the Middle East, the Swissôtel Makkah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
Winning design unveiled for Islamic faith museum in Mecca
POSTED 18 Jan 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Mossessian Architecture and Studio Adeline Rispal have won the design competition for the project Credit: Mossessian Architecture/ Studio Adeline Rispal
London studio Mossessian Architecture have won an invited competition to design a museum of the Islamic faith in Mecca (known locally as Makkah), Saudi Arabia.
The firm have partnered with French exhibition architects Studio Adeline Rispal to work on the project in Islam’s most sacred city. The museum – located 7km from the city’s Grand Holy Mosque – will explore the history and practice of Islam and the life of Muhammad, who is believed to have been born in the city.
The design features a spiralling void at its core, leading visitors up through the exhibitions via a continuous ramp system, and back down again on a parallel spiral staircase. The underside of the stairs will be inscribed with the 99 Names of Allah, the names of god in Islam, which visitors can view from a dedicated gallery space at the bottom.
“The central minaret-shaped void is both circular, like the celestial sphere, and ascending, symbolising the spiritual journey,” said Mossessian in a statement. “It calls upon the Muslim community to transcend earthly concerns through their faith, and to pursue the quest for knowledge onwards into infinity.”
The Makkah Museum will include 5,600sq m (60,200sq ft) of permanent and temporary exhibition galleries, an auditorium, a bookstore, a restaurant, and a climate-controlled ‘garden of delight’ on the rooftop.
The architects have described their design as “a unique synthesis between creative faith, heritage and modern technology”. They revealed the museum will be constructed using stones sourced from all of the countries in the world where Islam is practiced, while the interior plinths and alcoves will be formed using Hijaz rock from the local mountains.
The studio added: "When finished, the museum will offer a unique interpretation and reflection of faith to the millions of Muslims who visit Makkah from around the world and who, up until this point, have had no cultural institution of this kind to enhance their visit to the holiest of Muslim cities."
US company Aecom will consult on construction of the museum. The competition was held by Samaya Holdings, but the client, project cost and expected completion date have yet to be revealed.
The museum will provide a cultural institution for the millions of Muslims who visit the city every year, particularly during the annual hajj pilgrimage Credit: Mossessian Architecture/ Studio Adeline Rispal
A climate-controlled 'garden of dreams' will feature on the rooftop Credit: Mossessian Architecture/ Studio Adeline Rispal
The exhibits will explore the history and practice of Islam and the life of Muhammad
Credit: Mossessian Architecture/ Studio Adeline Rispal
The design features a spiraling void at its core, leading visitors up through the exhibitions via a continuous ramp system Credit: Mossessian Architecture/ Studio Adeline Rispal
RELATED STORIES
Starwood Hotels to build three hotels in Mecca POSTED 25 Jun 2013. BY Miguel de Sousa
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has signed an agreement with Jabal Omar Development Company to
open three new hotels in the Holy City of Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia.
Raffles Makkah Palace to open in Mecca POSTED 18 Nov 2009. BY Helen Patenall Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to manage a new luxury hotel in the holy Islamic city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
A Swissôtel first for the Middle East POSTED 03 Nov 2009. BY Martin Nash Construction is under way on Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts' first hotel in the Middle East, the Swissôtel Makkah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
