The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has revealed the four finalists for the AlMusalla Prize 2027.
The international architectural competition is dedicated to designing a musalla (prayer space) that reimagines contemporary spaces for prayer and community gathering. The winning will be presented at the third Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, held at the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport, before being permanently relocated to JAX District in Diriyah.
The shortlisted studios are Al-Jawad Pike (UK), Civil Architecture (Bahrain/Kuwait), MILLIØNS (USA) and NEW SOUTH (France). Each studio is required to design a single adaptable structure that must function within spatial limits, including a maximum footprint of 20 by 20 metres and a height of 12 metres, while maintaining flexibility to respond to two different site conditions and uses.
A specialist jury, chaired by Prince Nawaf bin Ayyaf, CEO of Architecture and Design Commission at the Saudi Ministry of Culture, will oversee the evaluation of the proposals.
Prince Nawaf bin Ayyaf, jury chair of the AlMusalla Prize notes: “The AlMusalla Prize offers a unique challenge: to design a structure that is both transient and permanent, rooted in tradition yet forward-looking. The jury is looking for a proposal that demonstrates exceptional material innovation, architectural integrity, and, above all, a profound understanding of the sanctity of the prayer space. We are not just selecting a design, we are selecting a contribution to the ongoing global discourse on contemporary Islamic art and design, which has already proven its reach and resonance on the world stage.”
The winning design will be announced in March 2027 during the third Islamic Biennale, where it will be introduced as a new contribution to contemporary Islamic architectural discourse.
The Islamic Arts Biennale will run from 1 November 2027 until 1 March 2028
