For over a millennium, Jeddah has been shaped by the influx of pilgrims, particularly during the annual Hajj. The city’s walled historic core traditionally hosted the majority of Hajj-related infrastructure, fostering close interactions between its residents and visiting pilgrims. These exchanges contributed to Jeddah’s cosmopolitan identity, deeply rooted in its role as a gateway to the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah.
In the mid-20th century, rising oil revenues and advancements in water access initiated a shift in Hajj infrastructure. The Ain Al Aziziya program and the creation of Mudun Al Hujjaj (Pilgrim Cities) relocated pilgrim accommodations to Jeddah’s outskirts, improving facilities but reducing the interaction between pilgrims and the city's urban fabric. This transition culminated in the 1981 construction of the award-winning Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport, further isolating pilgrims from Jeddah’s community and altering the city’s relationship with its visitors.
The Banal and the Spiritual is an installation commissioned by The Diriyah Biennale Foundation commissioned the project as part of the inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale, held at the iconic Hajj Terminal. The foundation seeks to explore Islamic art and culture, blending historical artifacts with contemporary works to create immersive, multi-sensorial experiences that resonate with the global Muslim community.
The Hajj Terminal, a landmark designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.Historically, not just a transit point for millions of pilgrims but also a distinct place marking the beginning and end of their spiritual journey to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. It offers a poignant backdrop for reflecting on migration, belonging, and spirituality themes.
A key contribution to the Biennale, Bricklab focused on preserving the memory of the Air Pilgrims’ Accommodation Building, a 1958 structure facing demolition. The project includes a two-story, full-scale abstract replica of one of the building’s wings. This intervention incorporates salvaged items, archival material, and oral histories to connect the past and present.
Additionally, the Biennale features over 60 international artists, 40 new commissions, 280 artifacts, and 15 never-before-exhibited works. The theme, "Awwal Bait" (First House), reflects on the Ka’bah as a spiritual and cultural anchor, exploring rituals, migration, and belonging through indoor galleries and outdoor installations.
Bricklab’s replica reimagines one of the Air Pilgrims’ Accommodation Building’s wings, integrating historical elements and contemporary design. The structure includes an elevated viewing platform that provides a perspective reminiscent of the original building's layout, along with a sidewalk and piazza evoking the market area of the demolished site to foster communal interaction.
The Islamic Arts Biennale bridges the past, present, and future, offering a profound exploration of belonging and spiritual placemaking. By reflecting on the evolving relationship between Jeddah and its pilgrim visitors, the Biennale captures the city's shifting identity while celebrating its historical significance. This intervention preserves the memory of the Air Pilgrims’ Accommodation Building while engaging with broader themes of cultural continuity and adaptation.
