Muscat: The design for the revitalisation of Maqlab Island (Telegraph Island) has been shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2025, under the Future Projects – Culture category. This international recognition underscores the cultural, historical, and architectural significance of the project and places it among the world’s most forward-thinking and visionary designs.
The World Architecture Festival is renowned as a global platform for celebrating architectural innovation and excellence. Being shortlisted for this award reflects the project's strong design narrative, cultural sensitivity and commitment to storytelling through architecture.
Maqlab Island, located off the coast of Musandam, is steeped in history dating back to 1864 when it served as a telegraph cable repeater station. The ruins of the island have long stood as silent witnesses to its past, nestled in a lagoon surrounded by dramatic cliffs and pristine waters.
The project’s vision is to transform Maqlab Island into a culturally rich, environmentally conscious destination — celebrating its unique heritage, attracting ecotourism and promoting educational and recreational experiences.
Early design explorations considered reconstructing the island’s original features. However, the final concept embraced a more forward-looking approach: blending preservation with minimal yet impactful architectural intervention. The result is a design that overlays the island’s existing foundation without altering its structure — introducing a new architectural layer that echoes the island's story through form and materiality.
A multifunctional structure will serve as a visitor hub, art installation and event space for exhibitions, gatherings, and cultural programmes. Designed to visually harmonise with the natural landscape, the building blends into its surroundings by day and transforms into a glowing architectural jewel by night.
Enhancements include a dedicated arrival jetty, accessible pathways, interpretive signage, viewing platforms, and telescopes — all designed to enrich the visitor experience while respecting the island’s scale and serenity.
The island will be fully self-sufficient, powered by solar energy and supported by its own RO plant. Measures such as offshore buoys will protect coral ecosystems from boat anchors. The structure is designed to achieve zero carbon emissions, reinforcing H+S’s environmental commitment.
The project is implemented by Hoehler + al Salmy (H+S), a leading architectural consultancy rooted in a legacy of innovation, cultural sensitivity and international collaboration.
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