Muscat: On Tuesday, Muscat Municipality revealed the winners of the Muscat Municipality Design Competition 2025 during the closing event of the competition, which was held under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Dr. Kamil Fahad Mahmood AlSaid, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.
The event was attended by Ahmed bin Mohammed AlHumaidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, as well as other dignitaries, officials, and a notable group of engineering specialists and consultants from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman.
The German company KSP Engel, noted for its work on cultural and institutional buildings, took first place in this round of the competition to design a distinctive multifaceted structure in the Wilayat of Bausher. Bisan Mohammadi Architects (BMA) of North Macedonia took second place, while Xavier De Geyter Architects (XDGA) of Belgium took third.
H. E. Ahmed bin Mohammed AlHumaidi stated in his opening comments, "This competition marks a significant milestone in Muscat's urban development journey. " It's refreshing to witness how these design approaches embrace creativity and sustainability while maintaining our vast cultural legacy. "We are shaping Muscat's future in accordance with our identity and values, which underpin our growth strategy. "
He went on to say that the competition results will play a critical part in directing urban growth in Muscat, ensuring that modernization is consistent with the preservation of Omani architectural heritage.
The two-day closing event, hosted by Muscat Municipality on July 7 and 8, 2025, at the Mandarin Oriental Muscat, created significant momentum and involvement. On day one, the five finalist teams presented live presentations to the jury and attendees. These were:
Bisan Mohammadi Architects (BMA) – North Macedonia.
Paolo Vimercati Urban Projects and Architectural Designs (POV) – UK
Samyn and Partners for Sustainable Architecture – Belgium.
Xavier De Geyter Architects (XDGA) - Belgium
KSP Engel is located in Germany.
Each company offered detailed designs that creatively combined contemporary innovations with aspects of Omani culture, meant to be a prominent civic landmark.
The competition's jury was led by Don Murphy, founder and partner of VMX Architects, and included a distinguished group of Omani and foreign consultants and engineers.
The jury established explicit ideals and criteria to guarantee that the evaluation process is conducted with the greatest level of integrity and transparency, emphasizing sustainability and cultural alignment.
Murphy praised the contestants' efforts during the winner reveal, saying that each entry offered a distinct perspective to enhance Muscat's urban environment and community life.
Launched earlier this year, the Muscat Municipality contest seeks to create a multiuse civic landmark in the Wilayat of Bausher.
It invited prominent architectural companies from throughout the world to submit creative ideas for a sustainable, iconic structure that embodies Omani identity while also catering to the requirements of modern civic life. The winning design will be constructed on an 8,000-square-meter area near Oman Avenues Mall, providing a spectacular architectural presence that combines tradition with the ambitions of a contemporary city.
