Italian firm Schiattarella Associati said it has been appointed to design the new Al Jabri Mosque complex in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

The mosque, which will have capacity to host about 3,000 worshippers, will be built over on an area of 22,500 sq m on King Abdul-Aziz Road at Hail city.

The complex, which expected to be a landmark for the community, will be designed to reflect the local identity and blend with the urban surroundings, said the statement from Schiattarella Associati.

The entire building complex is naturally dominated by the main mosque and will be developed around a central plaza, which will be a meeting point, the Italian firm stated.

The plaza leads to the mosque featuring the prayer hall as well as the commercial area. Access to the square is enabled through covered passages and small airy and shaded courtyards, according to a company spokesman.

“All around the plaza, the complex will have retail outlets, coffee shops and restaurants on the lower, and offices, libraries, a Koranic school and sports facilities on the upper level,” he said.

Schiattarella Associati’s design, expressed in a contemporary language, will reflect Saudi Arabia’s traditional Najd architecture, and will be based on the principle of a people-oriented city, he added.-TradeArabia News Service