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Thesis Report V-SPARC VIT

fig.23: Exterior view. (Source: Ormania Website, Mohammed Ballool, Ormania)

Inspired by the crystalline structure of the desert rose(fig.24), which grows naturally in
Saudi Arabia's deserts, the mosque's overall design balances tradition and modernity.

Drawing inspiration from traditional Islamic patterns, the building's geometries provide

integrated sun shading and sculptural articulation in accordance with the KAFD master
plan's design principles. In addition to shielding the building from the elements, the stone

cladding and sparse glazing evoke the vastness of the desert landscape.

fig.24: Top view. (Source: Ormania Website, Mohammed Ballool, Ormania)

The mosque's architecture, which is a structural wonder, addresses the difficulty of creating
an interior space without columns. A floating mezzanine with hanging supports is supported

by an inventive structural skin that cleverly transfers the entire load. The creative approach

of the KAFD Grand Mosque is what makes it stand out among the "Top 10 contemporary
mosques challenging traditional Islamic architecture," as it was acknowledged in 2019.

The mosque's interior(fig.24) is a roomy, column-free space. A unique colored glass mihrab