Sliding Domes

Sliding Domes: Prophet’s Mosque: Medina, Saudi Arabia

One of 27 Sliding Domes created for the Expansion of the Prophet's Mosque, Medina, Saudi Arabia (the site of the Prophet Mohammad's tomb). For purposes of climate control, these 27 domes slide open and closed, making an enclosed courtyard into a domed chamber.

All ornamental design and the quality control of the hand carved wood elements was undertaken by Jay Bonner for SL GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany. The floral elements were hand carved in Morocco, and the pre-fabricated elements were assembled in Germany before shipping to Medina for installation.

The inner clad panels are of custom made maple wood/epoxy laminate. This surface has been richly ornamented with a geometric array of profiled Atlantic cedar ribs that radiate from the apex of the dome. Further ribs run as an interweaving around the base, as well as fill the four corners of the flat soffit surrounding the dome. Within the ribs are set hand carved cedar floral panels. These floral panels have been further ornamented with inlaid semi-precious turquoise-coloured amazonite stones set in gold-plated copper bezels. In addition to this, gold leaf was applied on secondary cedar ribs that frame the floral panels.

The diameter of dome is 19 meters (approximately 62 feet).
1990 - 1993

Sliding Domes: M’tawa Floral Panel: Prophet’s Mosque: Medina, Saudi Arabia

The style of the floral design for the Sliding Domes was developed by Jay Bonner especially for this project. Because the Prophet’s Mosque is visited by millions of Muslims from throughout the Islamic world, it was felt that the ornament for these domes should be in a pan-Islamic, or universal, style that would appeal to all Muslims regardless of their country of origin.

Sliding Domes: Carved Cedar Detail: Prophet’s Mosque: Medina, Saudi Arabia

The carved cedar panels were created by the most highly skilled Moroccan wood carvers. Over a hundred carvers were involved, and this work took over a year to complete. Quality control was provided by Jay Bonner throughout the production process.