AL TQADUM
Dara and her mother by Aly Soliman
With a design concept that blends creative building, spiritual depth and public participation, Altqadum Studio is spearheading a revolution in Arab architecture. The Omani design team, based in Muscat, creates incredibly clear bridges between the past and the future. In addition to addressing urgent future requirements like accessibility, community development and sustainability, the studio is designing spaces that celebrate cultural identity. Altqadum, which aptly translates to “progress” in English, demonstrates how architecture can be both a reflection of heritage and a forward-thinking solution that can adapt sustainably to the region’s landscapes with projects like Bab al-Salam Mosque, which was named one of Time magazine’s World’s Greatest Places of 2024.
The design ethos of Altqadum, which Marwan Albalushi founded in collaboration with Najd Albalushi and Abdulrahim Alkendi, is based on respecting Omani culture. Altqadum is a firm for those who are interested in the future of urban development in the Arab world, not simply architectural aficionados. Their approach is particularly innovative in that they see architecture as a tool for both sustainable living and spiritual meditation. Bab al-Salam Mosque is the result of Altqadum’s unwavering determination to promote innovative architecture while maintaining cultural traditions.
Beyond its serene beauty and architectural genius, Masjid Bab Al Salam’s faithfully precise construction and the spiritual atmosphere it creates completely transform the experience of mosque-goers. Marwan and his colleagues carefully analyzed the flow of people in and out of mosque events and thought about the spiritual and material elements that may improve the mosque worship experience. Standing thirty meters tall, the Minaret, also known as the women’s prayer hall, creates a spacious, inspiring area that fosters respect and self-determination for female worshipers.
Photographed by Aly Soliman
Another example of how Altqadum’s work is influencing architectural discourse in the area is the studio’s recent victory in the Urban Commissions 2024 competition, which was held ahead of Dubai Design Week’s historic 10th edition.
The studio’s portfolio presently includes projects throughout the United Arab Emirates, such as a new restaurant in Dar Al Wasl, a mosque in Sharjah, a redesigned office building in Dubai and residences in Jumeirah and Abu Dhabi. The team’s partnerships with cultural organizations, including the Bait Al Zubair Museum in Oman, and its growing footprint in the United Arab Emirates show that its approach to fusing modern design with tradition is laying the groundwork for architecture’s future—one that both protects and advances.
