The first 3D-printed mosque in the world, measuring 5,600 square metres, is now located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The mosque honours the late equestrian Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly and is situated in the Jeddah suburb of Al-Jawhara. Forsan Real Estate’s project makes use of state-of-the-art Guanli 3D printing technology.
Under the direction of Wajnat Abdulwahed, the late Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly’s husband, the mosque was built in less than six months. The mosque’s unique minarets and integration of natural light are intended to promote tranquilly among worshippers while making it a landmark in the community.
The mosque’s opening puts Saudi Arabia as a centre of technology, ahead of schedule compared to the United Arab Emirates for a project of a similar nature. In May of last year, Dubai declared its intention to build the first 3D-printed mosque in history. The successful completion of the world’s first 3D-printed religious infrastructure shows promise for the development of architecture and design in the future as a novel and sophisticated approach.
With its widespread attention, the project has demonstrated the virtually endless applications of 3D printing technology in the building industry. “Not losing the essence that mosques must embody, while also adhering to general conditions such as emphasising the values of the King Salman Urban charter, the architectural details in the cultural heritage of Hejazi architecture and presenting them in a contemporary format,” Abdulwahed stressed in an interview with Arab News.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is going through a major transformation that is redefining it internationally. The monarchy is pursuing innovation in the built environment as part of its 2030 Vision, hoping to revitalise the culture and broaden its economic base.
The Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium is a new multipurpose facility that Populous unveiled in January. It will enhance the offers of Qiddiya City, which is located near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After a five-year break, work on the Jeddah Tower, which aims to surpass the Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates and become the world’s highest skyscraper, began last year. The tower, which was created by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, is intended to stand 1,000 metres tall.
ARCHDAILY
