The second Islamic Arts Biennale's AlMusalla, designed by EAST Architecture Studio, AKT II, and Rayyane Tabet, serves as a significant reflection on spirituality and transience in regional identity. This pavilion responds to the theme 'And All That Is In Between,' exploring the connections between the physical and spiritual realms. Lead architect Nicolas Fayad highlights the importance of the nomadic essence of musallas, as AlMusalla is built from sustainable materials like reclaimed palm waste, integrating ancient traditions with contemporary sensibilities. Its design engages acutely with the landscape and symbolizes the pilgrimage journey.
"Musallas, unlike mosques, have always been nomadic sacred spaces. They were traditionally very easily and quickly built, dismantled, and rebuilt elsewhere," lead architect Nicolas Fayad tells designboom.
"AlMusalla engages with the surrounding landscape and the architectural context with sensitivity, framing the oculi above and mirroring the liminality of its surroundings..."
"Constructed primarily from reclaimed palm waste, the project converges three histories: the courtyard typology prevalent in Islamic sacred spaces, the use of natural materials in regional construction, and ancient weaving traditions."
"Its woven facade, made from 200 kilometers of palm fiber, injects a delicate counterpoint, mirroring both the intricacies of the craft and the journey of pilgrimage."
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