The third edition of the Hassan Sharbatly Mosque Architecture Competition was held in Jeddah under the theme “Designing a Model Neighbourhood Mosque in Jeddah,” drawing 63 projects from students at 20 Saudi universities. The contest challenged young designers to reimagine the everyday neighbourhood mosque with sustainability and community life at its core.
Participants worked with a real-world brief: a 2,763-square-metre site within Jeddah’s Red Sea residential development, with a planned capacity of 300 worshippers — 250 men and 50 women. Entries were judged on how well they balanced function, local identity and environmental performance.
The submitted designs addressed a wide range of practical and environmental goals, including energy efficiency, natural lighting, shaded walkways, green spaces, easy pedestrian access and local architectural identity. Many proposals also treated the mosque as a shared community space rather than a building used only at prayer times.
The competition was organized by the Mosque Architecture Division of the Saudi Umran Society, with support from the Hassan Abbas Sharbatly Foundation for Community Service. Five cash prizes were awarded, ranging from SAR 15,000 for first place down to SAR 5,000 for fifth place.
Why it matters
For residents, the competition points to a new generation of neighbourhood mosques designed around comfort, walkability and lower energy use. By inviting students to tackle a genuine Jeddah site, the contest links architectural education with the practical needs of growing communities across the city.
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