Muscat Municipality launches global design contest
Muscat – Muscat Municipality has launched the Muscat Municipality Design Competition 2025, during a site visit by Ahmed al Humaidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality.
The visit marked the formal start of the international architecture competition, which is now open to leading studios from around the world.
The selected site, located next to the Mall of Oman, covers more than 8,000sqm and has been designated for a multi-functional civic building. The project aims to reflect Muscat's evolving urban identity, balancing modernity with the city's architectural heritage. Situated between the Oman Sea and the Hajar Mountains, the location is intended to serve as a symbolic and functional space within the capital.
'Muscat is expecting a growing number of tourists in the near future, and the city is doing everything to welcome them in a sustainable way and to the highest standards of quality and beauty,' said Humaidi.
'This competition represents a commitment to shaping how Muscat is experienced, through architecture that enhances our urban landscape, honours our heritage and reflects the values we hold as a society. We aim to create spaces that foster civic pride, set new benchmarks in sustainability and contribute meaningfully to Muscat's future as a global destination.'
The international competition calls on architecture studios to design a sustainable civic structure rooted in Omani identity. Five shortlisted studios will soon be selected to present their concepts to a jury composed of local and international experts. Final jury presentations are scheduled for early July, after which three finalists will be chosen. The winning design will be announced following the final deliberations.
The Muscat Municipality Design Competition 2025 is intended not only as a platform for architectural excellence but also as a public initiative to promote transparency and long-term urban planning. It reflects Muscat's ongoing efforts to integrate sustainability, accessibility and cultural authenticity.
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