Client: Confidential
Location: Al Khore, Qatar
Services Provided: Design Competition
Total Built-up Area: 5,000 m²
Starting Date: 1986
Completion Date: 1986
Capacity: 3,000 Worshippers
Challenge:
The Al Khore Mosque was envisioned as a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Islamic architecture, designed to serve as both a religious landmark and a communal gathering space. The challenge was to maintain the spiritual essence of a mosque while integrating it harmoniously with the surrounding agricultural landscape. Additionally, the design needed to ensure climate responsiveness, incorporating passive cooling techniques that would provide a comfortable environment for worshippers despite Qatar’s hot climate.
Approach:
Designed by Dar Al Omran - Rasem Badran (DAO-Badran), the Al Khore Mosque seamlessly blends traditional mosque typology with modern architectural principles, ensuring functionality, environmental sensitivity, and cultural authenticity.
The layout is organized around an expansive courtyard, reinforcing the mosque’s central role as both a place of worship and a communal space.
The design respects the natural surroundings, incorporating gardens and open plazas that establish a strong visual and spatial connection between the built form and the landscape.
Shaded and semi-shaded areas were strategically integrated as transitional spaces between enclosed prayer halls and open courtyards, reducing heat gain and improving natural ventilation and comfort.
The material selection and architectural detailing draw inspiration from Qatari heritage, with locally sourced stone, geometric ornamentation, and traditional arches reinforcing a sense of continuity between past and present.
Impact:
The Al Khore Mosque stands as a model for contemporary mosque design that respects tradition while embracing modern urban and environmental challenges. By prioritizing spatial harmony, sustainable cooling strategies, and cultural integration, the mosque not only serves as a sacred place of worship but also as a communal heart for the surrounding area. Through its thoughtful approach to architecture and environmental adaptation, the project ensures a timeless and serene spiritual experience for generations to come.
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