The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced the four architecture studios shortlisted for the 2027 AlMusalla Prize, an international competition that commissions the design of a musalla, a space for prayer, reflection, and contemplation, for the third edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale. The selected finalists are Al-Jawad Pike (United Kingdom), Civil Architecture (Bahrain/Kuwait), MILLIØNS (United States), and NEW SOUTH (France). The winning proposal will be revealed in March 2027 and realized as part of the Biennale before being permanently relocated to Diriyah.
Scheduled to open on 1 November 2027, the third Islamic Arts Biennale will once again take place at the iconic Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Recognized internationally for its architectural significance and recipient of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the terminal provides a fitting setting for a project that explores contemporary interpretations of Islamic spatial traditions. The shortlisted teams have been tasked with designing a prayer structure that serves both spiritual and communal functions while addressing sustainability, adaptability, and architectural innovation.
Launched in 2024 by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the AlMusalla Prize was established to encourage new architectural approaches to spaces of worship. Unlike conventional mosque commissions, the competition focuses on the musalla, a flexible place of prayer that can accommodate temporary and evolving uses. Through this initiative, the Foundation seeks to connect Islamic architectural heritage with contemporary design thinking, providing architects with a platform to experiment with materials, construction methods, and forms of public engagement.
A defining aspect of the 2027 competition is its requirement for a structure that can operate successfully in two distinct contexts. The winning musalla will first be constructed at the Western Hajj Terminal and remain in use throughout the four-month duration of the Biennale. Following the exhibition, the structure will be dismantled, transported, and reconstructed at JAX District in Diriyah. This former industrial area has evolved into one of Saudi Arabia’s leading cultural and creative hubs. This dual-site brief places significant emphasis on modularity, reuse, and long-term legacy.
The competition builds on the momentum of the inaugural AlMusalla Prize, whose winning design was created by a team comprising EAST Architecture Studio, engineering firm AKT II, and artist Rayyane Tabet. Their project demonstrated how a temporary prayer space could simultaneously engage with sustainability, craftsmanship, and cultural identity. The resulting pavilion was presented during the second Islamic Arts Biennale in 2025 and later featured internationally through exhibitions exploring the architectural possibilities of transience and adaptability.
Beyond selecting a single pavilion, the AlMusalla Prize has emerged as an important platform for examining how architecture can respond to contemporary social and environmental challenges while remaining rooted in Islamic traditions. The shortlisted practices represent a diverse geographical and cultural range, reflecting the Foundation’s ambition to foster international dialogue around Islamic art, architecture, and public space. Their proposals are expected to address not only the functional requirements of prayer but also broader questions of community gathering, material innovation, and environmental performance.
The future relocation of the winning structure to Diriyah further aligns the prize with Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural development strategy. Home to the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district and regarded as the birthplace of the First Saudi State, Diriyah has become a focal point for heritage conservation and cultural investment. By giving the musalla a permanent home within JAX District, the Foundation aims to extend the life of the project beyond the Biennale and integrate it into the Kingdom’s growing network of cultural institutions.
As preparations continue for the 2027 Islamic Arts Biennale, the shortlisted teams now move into the next phase of the competition. Their proposals will be evaluated for their ability to create meaningful spaces that balance spirituality, public engagement, and environmental responsibility. The eventual winner will contribute a new chapter to the evolving story of the AlMusalla Prize and its exploration of contemporary Islamic architecture.
Credit: Diriyah Biennale Foundation
