Muscat – As many as 356 entries have been received for the Bilarab bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design.

A statement issued by the official twitter account of Bilarab bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design said that the total number of entries submitted for the annual award has reached 356. ‘These are subject to screening and evaluation by the jury,’ the statement said.

‘We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the applicants who enriched the award with their contributions. We would like to inform you that the submitted works are currently being evaluated and the finalists will be announced at a later date,’ it stated.

H H Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham bin Tarik al Said launched the Bilarab bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design in January.

The award aims to be an annual local competition with a global vision for design and innovation in architectural projects that combine originality and modernity in different regions of the sultanate.

This year, participants have been asked to propose a design for the seafront site of Muttrah. The site is spread over an area of 7,500sqm, comprising Port Sultan Qaboos and boasting a wide captivating view of what has for ages been a tourist hotspot, besides being a historically and culturally prominent site of Omani civilisation.

The award targets Omani youth specialised in the fields of architecture and design, including scholars and jobseekers who meet the conditions of the competition.

Ten contestants will qualify for the final stage of the competition. The prizes will be financial – the first place winner will receive a sum of RO20,000, while the second place will receive RO15,000 and the third place winner will get RO10,000. Seven finalists will win in-kind prizes.

The award comes in line with the future vision and aspirations of the sultanate – Oman Vision 2040 – in developing its various regions architecturally according to their geographical environment and civilisational identity.