Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman launched the first edition of the Prophet’s Holy Mosque Architecture encyclopedia, which documents the architectural development at the pilgrimage site from the time of the Prophet until the Saudi era.

It includes an extensive scientific study of the mosque’s properties and architectural details. Prince Faisal said that the publication reflects the Saudi leadership’s interest in the Prophet’s Mosque and the documentation of its architectural details.

He said that the encyclopedia is part of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Studies and Research Center’s attempts to develop an architectural reference documenting the mosque’s features and architectural developments since its construction. The encyclopedia also highlights the Saudi state’s efforts to care for the mosque’s architecture, expansion, repair and restoration, as well as the aesthetic aspects of Islamic architectural arts.

Work on the encyclopedia began with laser scanning to document all two-dimensional and three-dimensional architectural details with high precision. The second phase included the model documentation, and work concluded with a photography phase to convey a realistic image of the mosque’s architectural details.

The encyclopedia is based on conceptual modeling of the mosque using laser scanning and photographic technologies. It features photographs, literary documentation records, analytical articles and architectural studies, along with engineering drawings and three-dimensional abstract forms.

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