Earlier today I got a press release from Avenues regarding their new Multi-Purpose Hall that’s being constructed as part of Avenues Phase III. Since I hadn’t heard any information for quite sometime on the Avenues mosque that was designed by Zaha Hadid (pictured above) I asked them about it. Turns out for some reason they decided not to build it! Turns out it was only a concept design but never got the go ahead.
I think that’s such a major disappointment. Zaha Hadid is such an incredible visionary and I’m 100% sure the mosque when completed would have looked a hundred times nicer than the rendering above. Just watch the video below and look at what she did with the Guangzhou Opera House in China.
[YouTube]
Imagine how beautiful and futuristic this mosque would have turned out to be. It would have been a landmark for sure and now it’s never going to happen. I’m pissed off.
29 replies on “The Zaha Hadid mosque will not be built”
What a big loss for Kuwait/ I wonder whether this has something to do with the fact that architect Zaha Hadid is Iraqi!
i think it might have to do with the fact the space that was dedicated for the mosque is now being used for something else.
another food court?
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that it doesn’t even remotely resemble a mosque?
no 2 reason
1- the space now is used for something that will bring an income ( space = money )
2- the fanatics who are running all over kuwait will not accept a mosque that have detailing or a special design to be built , i know cause im an architect and we have problems when we introduce any new design for mosques
kuwait is not as it was in 60’s and 70’s where they give something good and make a profit at the same time . now its all about money money money
You guys only build it, the fanatics pray there
The Grand Mosque was designed by an Iraqi.
that’s sad.. definitely disappointing..
Its a beautiful design and deserves to be built as a piece by itself and not in the middle of a congested mall. Perhaps in the upcoming areas along the 7th ring across from Fatima Al-Zahra Mosque, where we could get a view of both in their artistic glory.
Mosques don’t make no money, and this real estate is priced by the earning power of the square meter.
OMG ZAHA HADID SHE’S THE FUNNIEST PERSON EVER I HAVE HER PHONE NUMBER!!!
What a shame! I was looking forward to see it too. Recently I saw a concept for a mosque that looked remrkebly similar to hers done by some architecture student in the gulf (I can’t remember where) and thought: ‘that’s a rip-off, this design already being built here in Kuwait!’ But looks like that won’t matter anymore.
Her design for the Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre is going to be phenomenal nontheless:
https://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/abu-dhabi-performing-arts-centre/
I’m glad it did not get built.
Mosques are supposed to be simplistic and not tourist attractions.
It’s quite obvious it got rejected due to the above reasons.
I guess Abu Dhabi didn’t get the memo https://vimeo.com/33764021
No they are not, who told you that? Have you seen the architecture and design elements that go into mosques? They are one of the symbols of Islamic architectural prowess and stand to not only be places of worship but also architectural monuments.
Stop talking gibberish.
Absolutely incorrect..Some of Islam’s greatest contributions to world civilization have been through the art and architecture of mosques…Pity this will not see light of day..
However, being part of a mall would’ve diluted its power…It really needs its own dedicated space…
It doesn’t have to be beautiful or futuristic because people go to a mosque to pray in the purpose of jama’a and recite the Quran, not to reflect how the mosque looks and who designed it, plus Zaha Hadid being Iraqi doesn’t mean anything, she’s a well respected architect worldwide and very gifted and to exclude her because of her nationality is just ridiculous. At the end of the day it’s a place of worship in a shopping mall and doesn’t need to be the next Hagia Sophia.
زخرفة المساجد = Decoration of mosques
Google it
+1
Hadid is not known for her “decorative” architecture. There are a lot more decorative mosques in Kuwait than this.
There’s a huge time-space contiuum difference between lavish mosques today in Turkey, etc. and the matrix concept in the picture.
+1
well i think its more about financial issues as her “deconstruction” designs cost kind of 4 times any regular design add to that its hard to be actually built “due to the lack such experience” i doubt they would bring foreigners experience and pay them amounts of money just for a mosque :S
any way , Mark if you wanna see a modern Mosque in kuwait , there is one being built in “bneid al gar”
Next to AlKathmi towers “Club 300 if u know it” its pretty simple and cubic , sure nothing like Zaha’s work.
there is no need for mosques to be ugly either. Since there is so many they should be integrated well in the city landscape. Not stand out like sore thumbs.
I hope we can see her work somewhere else in kuwait soon.
Here’s a beautiful modern mosque, designed by a young Kuwaiti architect right here in Kuwait!
https://www.archofkuwait.com/alsaddah-mosque-by-babnimnim
This is supposed to be illegal to be honest…because a mosque depends on the manaraat. Although it is a great vision..but she needs to know more about the purpose and knowledge of building a mosque.
Illegal? The earliest mosques didn’t have minaretes.
I heard that a two story Pinkberry is going in the space.
Here is a great mosque design – and its in Denmark of all places:
https://www.constructionweekonline.com/pictures/denmark-grand-mosque.gif