World’s First 3D Printed Mosque Completed in Saudi Arabia

Ramadan, one of the most well-known and important Muslim holidays, started this week. And what better way to celebrate it than with 3D printing? Or at least that is what one Saudi businesswoman, Wajnat Abdulwahed, seemed to believe as she unveiled the world’s first completed 3D printed mosque this week, just in time for the holy month.

You might remember that we told you about construction of a 3D printed mosque last year. Believe it or not, but this project is actually a different one as Saudi Arabia has beat out Dubai in having this first building of this kind, as the other mosque has been planned for 2025. This completed mosque is located in Jeddah and was made in tribute to Abdulwahed’s husband, Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly, with the building carrying his name.

Saudi officials and Mrs. Wajnat Abdulwahed were present at the unveiling of the 3D printed mosque (photo credits: Fursan Real Estate)

A 3D Printed Mosque in Saudi Arabia

The 5,600-square-meter (~60,277 square foot) mosque was made in a collaboration between Fursan Real Estate Company and Guanli, a Chinese company specializing in construction 3D printing. A part of the National Housing Co’s portfolio, the mosque was conceived not just as a way to memorialize Abdulwahed’s late husband, but also to align with Saudi Vision 2030 as the use of 3D printing allowed for a reduction of construction-related waste generation.

Similar to the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, Saudi Vision 2030 is a government program conceived in 2016 that will bring innovative technologies into the kingdom. Ultimately, the goal is to diversify the country “economically, socially and culturally” with efforts to reduce Saudi dependence on oil at its core. Currently, oil accounts for about 40% of Saudi Arabia’s real GDP and reducing dependence on oil resources has been a real goal for the government for a number of years, as the government hopes to turn the country into a global investment powerhouse.

This 3D printed mosque certainly falls under the vision as it has been hailed by officials, including from the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, as a way to herald a new era of innovation in construction and architecture in the country. Not only that, but it seems to be making a stir for its distinctive design as well. The mosque was created with a focus on natural light streaming through windows and towering minarets, which have already made it into a landmark in the region.

The towering minarets have been noted as distinctive by Saudi netizens (photo credits: HTC)

Abdulwahed concludes, “As a Saudi businesswoman, I wanted to contribute to introducing this modern technology to the Kingdom, positioning it among the first countries to utilize it. This marks a significant milestone in the fields of technology and contemporary construction, signaling a move towards architectural innovation and global sustainable building practices. This development is supported by the private sector stimulation plan. It champions the shift from traditional construction methods to modern techniques, fostering the adoption of advanced technologies and supporting the pace of industrial evolution.”

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*Cover Photo Credits: Fursan Real Estate