studio altqadum sculpts ephemeral 'masjid bab al salam' in oman

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.

images © 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’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.

rooted in Omani heritage, the design balances simplicity and contemporary functionality
Altqadum breathes vitality into the public space and draws inspiration from historic mosques
the studio aims for its architecture to resonate authentically within the deeply connected community