In the Bay of Algiers, to the east of the historic downtown area, the complex represents the main and also the initial element in the new urban development of the city. The center brings together various cultural and religious facilities as well as different educational institutions. These are aligned on a plinth and within the complex form two groups: in the west the place for contemplation, with entrance arcades, cultural center, and minaret, and in the east the place of congregation for up to 20,000 faithful. A park leads from the mosque complex to the school in the south and the urban center.

The new Great Mosque of Algiers is to be built on a 275.000 m² site in a central position very close to the sea on the bay of Algiers. It will be the world's third largest mosque. One of the unique aspects of the project is that the mosque complex combines religious and secular facilities. The structure is planned for up to 120.000 visitors per day.

©KSP

With its rectangular buildings, the mosque combines tradition and modernity; tradition, because the design is derived from the earliest type of mosque, the column mosque. Among the features that define its characteristic style are columns that open upwards like flowers and also provide space for technical supply lines. They are found again and again throughout the complex.
A wing to the west containing a cinema center and shops leads into the northern area of the complex, onto the esplanade, a large square surrounded by buildings in an U-shape and providing access to the minaret. Beneath the esplanade there is underground parking for 6.000
cars on three levels.

The main buildings comprising the mosque are lined up on the longitudinal plot of land along an axis in the direction of Mecca. A continuous plinth brings the individual edifices together and, on account of their raised position, gives then a special effect. The height of the minaret and the length of the entire complex create a strong presence in the urban context over a wide area. The design of the solid plinth marks a clear division from the parallel interstate and creates a direct view of the open sea.

©KSP

Through their alignment and height, the mosque’s ancillary buildings, consisting of a souk and a school, reference the adjoining residential buildings to the south, yet on account of the, as it were square choice of shape they retain a link to the overall ensemble of the mosque complex. In the way they are configured they serve as a buffer zone between the city and the mosque park, which extends like a carpet around the individual building parts and from them creates harmonious whole.

Siteplan ©KSP

Its usage, appearance, and size make the minaret unique in the history of Islam and foster an image that extends beyond the (state) city boundaries. The lower storeys open out invitingly to the plaza and transport visitors by means of panoramic elevators into those upper storeys open to the public, in which the Museum of Islamic History is housed. Above it there are two research areas open to academics only. These can be clearly identified on the outside by the semi-transparent ornamental layer, which envelops the entire building like a second skin.
In the spire there is a public viewing platform. Together with the horizontal out-buildings of the cultural center it creates an overall sculptural shape that in this state does justice to the term “dynamic minaret”.
ksp_grand_mosque_algiers_01image © by KSP

The contemporary interpretation of the Calla column is an accompanying element throughout the entire complex. In addition to its external functions as a load-bearing structure and source of shade, it also assumes innovative technical functions such as photovoltaics, acoustics, ventilation, and drainage.

1. floor plan observation deck 2. floor plan research / administration 3. floor plan sky foyer 4. floor plan museum 5. cinema 6. forecourt 7. minaret 8. mosque courtyard 9. prayer room 10. rooms of the imam / Section ©KSP

At 270 m, the minaret will be the highest in the world. It is divided into several functional areas that are accessed via panorama elevators. At the foot of the minaret is a spacious entrance area with a foyer that extends into the adjacent building. The 4th to 20th floors contain a museum of Islamic art and history together with a research center. Over the height of the minaret there are a number of sky lobbies offering space for recreation and communication.

1. rooms of the imam 2. prayer room 3. gallery women 4. VIP 5. mihrab / qibla 6. museum 7. research / administration 8. observation deck 9. cafes / shops / service 10. cinema 11. roof terrace 12. plaza 13. administration 14. plant room 15. ablution 16. shoe storage ©KSP

At the top, there will be a viewing platform with a restaurant which will also be accessible to visitors via two panorama elevators. The religious part of the mosque complex lies to the east; it comprises the prayer hall and courtyard, each with an area of 22.000 m² and a height of 70 m. A large park separates the northern part of the mosque complex from the buildings to the south. The cultural center on
the south of the site houses an extensive library with a multimedia room and a video and film library. A congress center in another building can accommodate up to 1.500 participants.

The “Dar El Coran” (Koran school) provides facilities for 300 postgraduate students from Algeria and abroad to deepen their knowledge of Islam and Islamic culture. Residential accommodation for students and teaching staff will also be provided in the campus-like area in the south of the complex. The technical leadership of the project, which is being directed by Krebs und Kiefer, is a major challenge.
The result of the planning process - which will be presented to the owner - must be an integrated plan that covers all specialist areas and trades and ensures a smooth construction process.
Coordination with the Algerian owner is also a critical task for the general planners and technical leadership. The owner must always be fully informed about and integrated into the planning process in order to ensure that the project always reflects the owner's wishes.

Groundfloor : 1. cinema 2. forecourt 3. minaret 4. cafes/ shops / service 5. ablutions 6. mosque courtyard 7. prayer room 8. rooms of the imam ©KSP

For this purpose (among others), an Internet-based communications system has been put in place. A special challenge facing Krebs und Kiefer's
structural designers is earthquake safety. The project is located in area in the highest risk category and must remain intact and functional even after an earthquake.
Since large areas of the project go beyond the scope of the normally applicable EC norms and local regulations, intensive dialogs with the authors of the norms were required at the highest technical level.
Another special factor in the planning of the mosque is security. In view of its eventful history and unfortunately of some still current events, Algeria places great importance on the security of public facilities.

Appropriate measures and defensive features against terrorist acts are to be integrated into the planning process in agreement with the local security services. The project's high public profile in Algeria is a further unique aspect. Its progress is being personally monitored by the President of Algeria.
Press reactions and public opinion about the project must always be taken into consideration. In Germany, too, there has been a dialog with the press about the special features of this project. But finally, the outstanding feature of this project - in addition to its physical dimensions - is above all its cultural importance.

All those involved in the planning process are called upon to think intensively about Islam as a religion and about Islamic culture in order to understand the functions of the complex and ensure that these are appropriately reflected in their planning work.
In this way, the intensive dialog between the German planners and the Algerian owner represents a positive example of intercultural exchange forming the basis for mutual understanding.

- Gross floor area: 310.000 m²
- Gross volume: 1.800.000 m³
- Height of minaret: 270 m
- General planning
- Technical leadership
- Structural design
- Traffic planning
- Technical building services
- Landscape planning