Al Musallah, an essential feature within Abu Dhabi’s cultural park, is situated at the northeastern corner of the site. Conceived as a series of small, interconnected volumes, the prayer hall resembles a cave-like structure that appears to emerge from a large water feature. Positioned within the water, the Musallah creates a gentle sense of seclusion—offering privacy for worshippers without the need for enclosing walls. The presence of water not only establishes a peaceful ambiance but also serves as a symbolic gesture of spiritual purification, flowing around and between the interior spaces.

Each volume houses a distinct function, arranged in two mirrored paths—one for men and one for women—guiding worshippers through a carefully sequenced spiritual journey. These paths lead visitors from the open landscape of the park into narrow passageways nestled between “rock-like” forms. As one walks through, the noise of the city gradually recedes, giving way to a serene atmosphere reminiscent of the Cave of Hira, where the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation. The journey begins in the entrance halls—quiet spaces to rest or converse before prayer—then proceeds to ablution areas for ritual cleansing, and ultimately concludes in the main prayer halls oriented towards the qibla. A concrete relief bearing inscriptions is integrated into one of the volumes, visible only from within, enhancing the interior’s contemplative nature.

The architectural language of the Musallah is inspired by natural desert forms. The cracked geometric patterns of the surrounding landscape are echoed in the interiors through a suspended ceiling design. Small circular skylights punctuate the volumes, filtering daylight into the space and evoking starry constellations—an abstract reference to faith and the Bedouin tradition of celestial navigation. While the entrance and ablution areas feature raw concrete skylights, the prayer halls are lined with warm copper cladding, creating luminous, endless reflections of light. These glowing surfaces evoke the vastness of the cosmos and invite reflection on humanity’s place within it, tying together the spiritual and spatial narrative of the Musallah.

The project was developed by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT) in collaboration with CEBRA Architecture as part of a broader revitalization effort surrounding the historic Qasr Al Hosn Fort in central Abu Dhabi.

This transformation forms part of a 140,000-square-meter cultural park encompassing Qasr Al Hosn and the adjacent Cultural Foundation—a landmark from the 1980s. These two structures represent the historical and modern cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi, and the masterplan celebrates this duality through its landscape design.

The site is divided diagonally into two contrasting terrains. One side features a soft, open desert landscape around Qasr Al Hosn, restoring the fort’s presence as a freestanding monument within a sandy expanse—recalling its original setting before the city’s rapid growth. The other side, surrounding the Cultural Foundation, is more structured and urban, with paved areas and lush planting, integrating the desert terrain with the rhythm of the city grid.

A dynamic transition space connects these two landscapes. Inspired by the distinctive mud-crack patterns of Abu Dhabi’s coastal desert and salt flats, irregular geometric forms are used across the site—bridging sand and pavement, nature and architecture. These patterns act as a visual and conceptual language, guiding movement and tying the entire park together.

Within this shifting landscape, architectural elements emerge gradually—starting from the terrain and evolving into sloped surfaces that rise into full structures. This culminates in the Musallah, where landscape and building converge seamlessly. Every element, from benches to building masses, feels like a natural extension of the terrain, allowing the historic Fort and the Cultural Foundation to stand as the site’s primary visual anchors.