ICONIC MOSQUE COMPETITION

Our concept began with a focus on the moon and its evolution, and the time marks it creates throughout not only the months but also the year, and the light control it has over our land. This furthered our form and round nature of the structure, while also allowing us to make specific choices in design, creating significant representations of the moon and its different stages as the sun passes over the building throughout the day.

 

Beginning as a place of worship, the mosque has developed into a central part of life as a Muslim. This specific design concept aims to not only be used for worship, but also as a meeting place of admiration for worshippers and travelers alike, and a cultural centre where education can be found within the walls.

 

Beginning the journey you are called for prayer are greeted with a glass formed tower, reaching 100 meters towards the heavens. Once you have passed through the towers opening, you find yourself surrounded by heavenly space. White tiles lacing the ground, marble walls lining the courtyard, soft water paths and pools amplifying purity.

You then follow the fragmented marble walls, which wrap openly in direction, through the Sahn (courtyard), towards Mihrab (niche) and place for worship.

 

The walls framing the boundary of courtyard to inner sanctum are rounded and welcoming in form. Within the mosque you feel secure as the building is guarded by five towering tree like forms. These trees protrude out over the Sahn, acting as security to the pure space of worship within.

 

Light plays with the internal space, entering in from glass formed domes atop the roof structure, following down a central atrium. Points of light and shadows create shapes reflective of moons in different stages from full to new, giving particular significance to specific times of day.

 

Ascending the golden ribbon stairway, you pass through each floor to the roof space. From this path you begin to take notice to the gleaming golden Mihrab (niche), which protrudes through each floor, connecting all to one equal form, metaphorically held together by Mecca.

 

In more detail, Mihrab can be seen as a golden sun creating the different moons in shading throughout the inner mosque. However, when admiring from different angles, Mihrab changes to be seen as a waxing or waning crescent. Expressing the evolution of change in the moons form.

​

In connection to the surrounding sites and environment, the building can be seen as a bridge and reflection of its two differing ends. Towards the north the building is formed with a wide scaping curved edge, organic in form not to impose on the natural end of the site. Whereas, building back to the south towards the city and its regimented forms of buildings and road lines, the main entrance is subtle with hard right angles, hiding the gem that is the Mosque beyond its walls.

​

Competition Team: MCAS + Caleb Skene + Faridun Joya