Muscat Municipality officially announced the winners of the Muscat Municipality Design Competition 2025 during a closing ceremony held under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Dr. Kamil Fahad Mahmood Al-Said, Secretary General in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers. The event was held on 7 and 8 July 2025 at the Mandarin Oriental Muscat and was attended by H.E. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Humaidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, along with several dignitaries, officials, and a group of engineering experts and consultants from Oman and abroad.
The German architectural firm KSP Engel secured first place in the competition, which focused on designing a landmark multi-use building in the Wilayat of Bausher. Second place was awarded to Bisan Mohammadi Architects (BMA) from North Macedonia, while third place went to Xavier De Geyter Architects (XDGA) from Belgium.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Humaidi stated: “This competition represents an important milestone in Muscat’s urban development journey. It is inspiring to see how these design proposals embody innovation and sustainability while preserving our rich cultural heritage. We are shaping Muscat’s future in line with our identity and values, which are at the heart of our development strategy.”
He further noted that the competition results would support Muscat’s ongoing development goals while ensuring the city’s architectural identity is maintained.
Launched earlier this year by Muscat Municipality, the competition invited proposals for a multi-use civic building that integrates modern functionality with Omani cultural identity. The project will be built on an 8,000-square-metre site near Oman Avenues Mall in the Wilayat of Bausher. The design brief called for a structure not exceeding 30 metres in height and comprising a basement, ground floor, and six upper floors. The building is expected to house offices, a business centre, a four-star hotel, and cultural and commercial facilities, all designed with an emphasis on sustainability and modern civic use.
The two-day closing event generated strong engagement from both the professional community and the public. On the first day, the five finalist firms presented their proposals before a jury and audience: Bisan Mohammadi Architects (BMA) – North Macedonia; Paolo Vimercati Urban Projects and Architectural Designs (POV) – United Kingdom; Samyn and Partners for Sustainable Architecture – Belgium; Xavier De Geyter Architects (XDGA) – Belgium; KSP Engel – Germany.
Each team showcased its interpretation of a civic landmark that integrates contemporary design with Omani architectural language.
The jury was chaired by Don Murphy, founder and partner at VMX Architects, and comprised a panel of Omani and international experts. The evaluation process was guided by clear values and criteria, including cultural alignment, sustainability, architectural integrity, and transparency. During the announcement, Murphy praised the submissions, stating that each entry offered a unique perspective to enhance Muscat’s built environment.
The outcome of the competition is expected to shape a significant part of Muscat’s future urban development, with the selected project serving as a civic anchor point that reflects both heritage and progress.
