World’s First-Ever 3D-Printed Mosque In Saudi Arabia
Wajnat Abdulwaheed, a businesswoman in Saudi Arabia, paid tribute to her deceased husband by completing the construction of the world’s first-ever 3D-printed mosque. 3D printing allows for the rapid construction of buildings using proprietary ink instead of conventional concrete. This approach can come in handy when building in remote locations or as a response to a natural catastrophe; however, as the technology becomes more mainstream, it is also being used to replace conventional construction approaches. Interesting Engineering has previously reported that an entire neighbourhood in the US is now being built with 3D printing. So, it was only a matter of time before places of worship began using this approach. With ambitions to become the 3D printing capital of the world, the city of Dubai has unveiled plans to construct 25 percent of new buildings with this technology. This also included a mosque of 21,500 square feet (2,000 square meters) to be completed by 2025. The 3D-printed mosque was also backed by the National Housing Company. This state-owned unit enables solutions for the Saudi market’s real estate, commercial, and housing needs. Government officials and business leaders attended the inaugural ceremony held last week. It also underscores the collaboration of various stakeholders such as the government, business, and technology companies that came together to construct an iconic building reinforcing Saudi Arabia as a hub for technological advancements. By transforming digital models directly into usable structures, 3D printing also delivers efficiency by reducing wastage. This also establishes the country as a hub for a sustainable and tech-driven future. The country hopes to demonstrate these features through the Neom project as well. By building a mosque with the newest technology, Saudi Arabia has also shown how to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. Abdulwaheed spearheaded the construction of the 60,000 square feet (5,600 square meters) and commissioned 3D printing technology from Chinese technology firm Guanli. As against conventional construction, the work and execution of the project were carried out in a very different manner, with a lot of focus on the building design. The businesswoman highlighted that the design intends to foster tranquility among worshippers. The mosque’s design is centered within a circle that can be oriented towards the Kaaba (the sacred building at Mecca) and also inspired open outdoor at the Hijr Ismail in the Grand Mosque and will allow more space for worshippers during Friday prayers and Taraweeh prayers as the holy month of Ramadan begins. The design of the entrances, gates, and exterior facades reflect the architectural identity and allow natural light to come in. The minarets of the building are included to make the building a distinctive landmark in the neighborhood. “It is essential not to lose the essence that mosques must embody, while also adhering to the architectural details in the cultural heritage of Hejazi architecture, and presenting them in a contemporary format,” Abdulwaheed said.
After her late husband, the Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly Mosque is located in the Al-Jawhara suburb of the port city of Jeddah. In doing so, Abdulwaheed also beat the ambitions of Dubai, which has plans to build a 3D-printed mosque by 2025.
Tags : 3D printing Wajnat Abdulwaheed businesswoman Saudi Arabia Neom project