King Hussein Mosque, Jordan
Khaled Azzam designed this mosque, commissioned by HM King Abdullah II in memory of his father King Hussein. It is a major example of traditional architecture in the modern world. The architecture is a synthesis of the vernacular architecture of Jordan, and the architectural heritage of a wider region including Jerusalem and Damascus. The interior incorporates classical principles of geometry, and reveals the high standard of the contemporary traditional craft work that has been applied in the ornamentation of the building. It demonstrates that modern design need not limit itself to the reproduction of ancient motifs, but may use timeless principles to create a contemporary style, resonating with both the old and the new.
