Valiasr, A One of a Kind Sanctuary.
Marketing
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Visual Design
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Narrative Story
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Marketing • Visual Design • Narrative Story •
How do you design a mosque that stands proudly beside one of the city's most iconic landmarks?
In Islam, a mosque is the most sacred place of worship, and once a mosque is established on a piece of land, that land is considered to belong to God. From that moment forward, it is permanently dedicated to religious use, making any form of sale, repurposing, or commercial transaction strictly forbidden. This principle ensures that the mosque remains a place of worship and spiritual significance for generations to come.
To create a mosque that seamlessly integrates with its iconic surroundings, we went back to the origins of Islamic architecture. Inspired by the simplicity and humility of the Quba Mosque—the first mosque in Islamic history—we embraced a horizontal structure, free from conventional towering elements like domes and minarets.
Instead, we designed a striking sloping roof that rises organically from the park, gradually reaching the height of the City Theater. This dynamic, three-dimensional shell—part concave, part convex—not only respects the architectural fabric of the city but redefines how a mosque interacts with its urban environment.
Same concepts, Different form
Although Valiasr Mosque looks unlike any traditional mosque in form and appearance, it needed to evoke the same profound sense of awe and spirituality found in Iran’s most beautiful mosques. To achieve this, we conducted an in-depth study of mosque architecture, prioritizing fundamental design elements such as the interplay of light and shadow and the harmony of spatial organization. By seamlessly integrating these timeless principles, we ensured that Valiasr Mosque not only stands apart visually but also captures the essence of sacred Islamic architecture.
Awards
2019 Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture
Shortlisted
2018 Architecture Master Prize, Cultural Architecture Category
winner
2018 World Architecture Festival, Religion Category
Highly commended
2017 Middle East Architecture Award, Community and Cultural Project of the Year
Winner