Moza Al Suweidi Mosque

Located in the center of Abu Dhabi, in the corner of the notable Capital Park, rises the stunning new mosque for Donor Moza Abdullah Saleh Al Suweidi. As a central religious assembly of an important commercial and residential area of Abu Dhabi, the mosque project had to fulfill several challenging tasks. With the prominent location in mind, the client’s request was a unique perspective that will stand out from the typical traditional design. Besides qibla, the layout had to follow the direction of two main streets and the position of the plot itself. This challenge was solved by creating a glass box to follow a qibla direction, covered by a solid mass following the path of the streets. Such an approach provided high levels of transparency and privacy for the worshippers, at the same time.

The Mosque project layout comprises a basement floor, ground floor, mezzanine floor, and first floor. The basement floor contains the entrance, male and female prayer rooms, electrical room, lift area, and store. The ground floor hosts the prayer hall, janitor’s office, women’s ablution, and toilets. Featured on the mezzanine are the minaret and store. The accommodations of Imam and Muaddin are on the first floor.

The organic form immerses the object into the surrounding landscape of the central park, while the glass box communicates the concept of Islam’s sublime transparency. At the same time, the solid mass takes the role of a large canopy to provide protection and shade, minimizing the heat and supporting the structure’s sustainability levels. The glass wall is intricated with an Islamic pattern to enhance the object’s traditional spirit while supporting the rest of the shading features. The project showcases harmony achieved through the integration of the structure’s religious and organic characters.

The Al Jazeera Tower is positioned in the center of a vivid and prominent area of Cornish, one of the key social and entertaining districts of Abu Dhabi. Location quality provides a distinguished social dimension as a valuable asset to the full scope of the project. The tower is a commercial and residential building comprising three underground car parking levels, the ground floor as the designated zone for shops and services, a mezzanine floor as a showroom, 34 residential floors, and a roof floor with a health club and a swimming pool. The main entrance communicates straight to the lobby on the ground floor while being fully integrated with all inside and outside areas.

The architectural challenge comprised two key points: maximal utilization of the plot’s specific shape and size, followed by incorporating dynamic quality and vigorous movement into a rigid, solid vertical frame. The solution arrived in the form of interlocking prismatic volumes. A thrilling, original composition of unitized 3D and 4D curtain wall panels also features an attractive façade lighting system, incorporated to maintain the structure’s spectacular character after the sunset. Professional consultants were engaged in this phase to ensure the flawless execution of every design detail. The concept of repetition solved the viability and execution of a complex form, resulting in exceptional slenderness and elegance of what could have otherwise been a monotonous structure. Reflecting the environment through various angles added multidimensional quality to the composition, providing a distinctive, diamond-like appeal.

Alongside striking aesthetical effects, this approach allowed for greater use and distribution of daylight, and sunlight, as well as enhanced visuals. Angled windows incorporated in the design provide active heat protection during the day and undisturbed privacy at night. At the same time, the glass selection maintains high levels of balanced visibility. The available horizontal frame was utilized to its maximal limits while providing a direct sea view for 75% of flats further elevated the project’s value as a beachfront property. This astonishing design now stands as a landmark of a vibrant urban neighborhood, a crown jewel among abundant residential and office spaces, restaurants, and promenades.