Riyadh - School of Architecture

There was a great revolution on the place for worshipping. The mosque is nowset within the public area. The courtyards, arcades and prayer hall are kept. Thepublic space will be used to accomodated the overflow of worshippers. But domewas removed from the design cause the programme tended to focus on someessantial principles instead of stylistic form.The Adinistrative Palace and Justice Place are lined with the mosque by bridges.And the gate, tower and wall can provide a continuity to all separated element.A impressive advancement of the technology could also be seen. The columnarrangement of the mosque was inspired by the trucks of palm tree. Not only itcan define prayer rows, but also can support the flat roof. Natural lighting andventilation system are individually provided above each column head.1 2The facade took the form of the traditional architecture, but built with modernmaterial. The exterior material is limestone, with small rectangular opening likethose venacular architecture.The programme is undoubtely a significant evolution to the architecture of SaudiArabia. New technology wass revealed, at the same time social tradition ispreserved.1. Exterior of the Qasr al-Hokm complex2. Study of prayers’ gesture3. Grid of the column with palm tree structure system4. Conceptual drawing of the palm tree structure system5.Overflow of worshippers to public space3 4 5