CEBRA projects win gold and silver at the WAN Awards

The jury awards Gold to CEBRA’s Al Musalla for its outstanding features as “a very sculptural piece of architecture” that seamlessly blends with the surroundings.

Part of the comprehensive renovation and modernisation master plan for the heritage site surrounding the Qasr Al Hosn Fort, the Musalla is subtly integrated into the 160,000 m² cultural park-scape that envelops the Fort. Designed as a quiet anchor within the transformation, the Musalla forms a key element of the revitalised site, which receives Silver in the ‘Publicly Accessible Buildings – Over 10,000’ category.

A sculptural place of worship

The winner announcement highlights that Al Musalla “harmonizes with Abu Dhabi’s coastal landscape through its sculptural, nature-inspired Voronoi forms.”

The project offers a contemporary, accessible, and easy setting that allows for quick drop-ins directly from the city streets, making it available to the broader Muslim community of Abu Dhabi. The architecture enables immersion and interaction, meeting the different needs of a versatile audience of Muslims and visitors.

“The structure, semi-submerged in water, features interconnected spaces linked by delicate glass bridges, offering worshippers serene reflections of their surroundings. The cave-like interiors, influenced by the Cave of Hira, provide meditative spaces illuminated by carefully placed roof openings,” the announcement reads.

A site connecting the past and the present

The judges recognise the wider site for its ability to weave together history, urban life, and spatial clarity.

As the jury notes: “The scheme suggests a thoughtful restoration of a historical narrative as an extension to the city with a community-engaged space.”

They highlight how “the project successfully transforms the site into a cultural urban park that intertwines historical significance, unique ritual characteristics, and contemporary public life,” and how “this distinctive structure of two major sections and their interstitial spaces successfully anchors history, green systems, and ritual life in an organic relationship.”

“The narrative is commendable and its detailing is delightful,” the jury concludes.

An ambitious project team

The award-winning projects are the result of a great collaboration between the ambitious client and a skilled team of consultants.

Client: Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi
Architect: CEBRA
Landscape Architect: CEBRA
Project Management: AECOM, Buro Four
Cost Management: DG Jones
Conservation Management Plan & Photogrammetry: ProDenkmal
Business Planning & Curatorial: Barker Langham
Engineer: GHD
Plant Specialist: SLA
Signage & Wayfinding: Kossman Dejong

Selected references

WAN announcement and jury statement on Al Musalla
WAN announcement and jury statement on the Al Hosn master plan