ARCH 7201 RESEARCH STUDIO z3236807 Semester 2 2010
Lionel Teh
Building a contemporary Mosque in Sydney as an antidote to Islamophobia Sydney Mosque ينديس دجسم Presentation Speech Introduction My project title is “Building a contemporary Mosque in Sydney as an antidote to “Islamophobia”. I am taking this opportunity to explore the development of contemporary Mosque design in the West particularly in Sydney, Australia; subsequently finding a new language of mosque architecture in Sydney. Islam in the West Islam is fastest growing religion; yet it is the most poorly understood and most feared religion in the Western world. The negative portrayal from the mass media is overpowering. This fuelled by a negative social construction which causes social polarization and creating tensions and conflicts between Muslims and non-Muslims. Hence, Western Muslims are vulnerable to stereotyping and misconceptions. Thus become victims to their own beliefs. Also, the place of prayer, the Mosque becomes a major problem in a western country What are the problems of Western Mosques? Due to the lack of formal definition of Mosque, contemporary western mosques are often fabricated from revivalism or historical eclecticism to mimic the great precedents from the place of origin. Hence struggle to relate to a local Western context. Also, many are mono-functional and secluded. Therefore there is lack of connection and relevance to the context. The community may find it exotic and therefore hard to comprehend. Thus, islamophobia!
Reinvention! There is a severe need for reinvention - re-question and re-contextualize the idea of Mosque architecture; (as inspired by reformist). This is to demonstrate the willingness to integrate and to construct intercultural dialogue. “if you disappear they are building the story, if you speak they listen” tariq Ramadan What is Mosque Architecture? “The world is the Mosque” Prophet Mohammed once said. Essentially, Muslims are able to perform their prayer in any clean spaces Mosque is a directional field; historically it is as simple as drawing a line on the sand to indicate the direction for prayers (sand images). Also it is a collective space, used for congregation and social events Early mosques were simple and evolved from the prototype of the first mosque, the prophet’s house in Medina. Since the 6th century, mosques have been regionally modified, in terms of material availabilities, craft person, weather etc. Thus it is varied and diverse. However, there are lots of similarity and common elements that repeat in many mosques, such as domes and minarets What should a Sydney Mosque be? I strongly believed that Sydney mosque should be more than a prayer hall for Muslims. It should be an intercultural centre that encourages intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims to achieve a greater assimilation. How can we form a new mosque language? I think the answers lies within the essence and principles of Islam itself. Letting Islamic principles animate the contemporary forms (I will explain in a minute) Islamic principles are often express through Islamic art
Islamic Art Islam places the highest value on achievement of beauty, which is expressed in the Quran. The expression of beauty in Islamic art symbolizes the presence of The Creator, Allah. Dhikr and also an expression of paradise Islamic Principles 2 key principles: I’ve learned and guiding through my design process Humility – important to achieve Modesty, subtlety, Harmony – imply harmony with Nature, in proportion, in existence, Design Presentation Site Analysis Today, many mosques are located at the outskirt of Sydney; often secluded and confine within a concentrated Muslim community. In achieving the aim: Sydney Mosque needs to be central and comingle within a diverse community. The choice of site will provide a greater platform for integration with significant level of interaction. -Site located on Riley Street -Identified building perimeter -Existing site is a hole from previous abandon construction -Main artery and axis There are 4 key points to achieve: 1. Connection to from Crown St to Frog Hollow Park 2. Seize the commercial opportunity of the Crown frontage (attract people into the mosque) 3. Park for public (community requirement) 4. Mosque and a Cultural centre
Building idea Simplistically speaking, the building idea is: Existing hole + Park + Mosque = Sydney Mosque Programs The programs are divided into 5 zones (refer to diagram). This option is an exploration inspired by traditional mosque (Isfagan Grest Mosque) circulation, where the central courtyard acts as a transitional nucleus. Program radiates around the centre Design Strategies (refer to design strategy diagram) -In line with the program distribution pattern, I seek an Islamic geometrical inspiration -Round (dome) signify perfection, means beauty and core to Islamic teaching -Beauty is further enhanced by the facial pattern with repetition which signifies the infinite nature of god -Transferred - configured a geometrical pattern and radiate from a compass (another key element) -Abstract language of their beliefs -This forms the basis of the building’s spatial arrangement and structural rational Conform to program to be fitted on site -The central space is then inverted to be a public space (which becomes a main connector of crown to riley) -A ramp is introduced to connect from park to ground, while allowing a viewing platform into the mosque space through the screen walls. The prayer halls juxtapose to the radial pattern in a Cubical form, as a subliminal reminder of the Ka’ba (The symbol of unity), saf (prayer rows), and the position is also determine by the direction of qibla Here it illustrate the main connections of the side; one through the courtyard and another through the park
Explain program arrangement and layout Site plan Illustrate the connection idea through model and section Video Presentation (play on screen) Sectional Model Explain details -extend the space outwards and inwards by introducing low window -I am constantly thinking of how to bring nature into the space, Light - In Quran light is analogous to the enlightenment path Key in the underground spaces Water -“Cleanliness is half of faith,” the Prophet tells -The Qur’anic metaphors in which water is used to symbolize Paradise, righteousness, and Allah’s mercy are quite frequent. From the numerous Qur’anic references to cooling rivers, fresh rain, and fountains of flavored drinking water in Paradise, we can deduce that water is the essence of the gardens of Paradise. It flows beneath and through them, bringing coolness and greenery, and quenching thirst. The believers will be rewarded for their piety by (rivers of unstagnant water; and rivers of milk unchanging in taste, and rivers of wine, delicious to the drinkers, and rivers of honey purified) (Muhammad 47:16). The water in Paradise is never stagnant; it flows, rushes, unlike the festering waters of Hell. The Qur’an also equates the waters of Paradise with moral uprightness: (In the garden is no idle talk; there is a gushing fountain) (AlGhashiyah 88:11-12). Sahn (courtyard) , Riwaq (portico) and Zulla (enclose) Based on traditional mosque spatial typology I did not include it because I think it have the ability to speak for itself spatially Environmental strategies -In line with Islamic teaching, Sydney mosque has to address contemporary issues such as sustainability and urban issues
Structure and Construction Conclusion: Integration – strong sense of transparency Religious and secular – working on boundaries, overlaying provoke a visual understanding, a profound spatial experience and find peace for a greater comprehension. Demonstrating a less dogmatic, rigid and stringent presence but portrays a willingness to assimilate. In a way, the concept is modern and international in terms of its technological advantages and social economy, however regional and traditional in its character. I believe architecture has the ability to ignite even a smallest change in society The role of architecture in bringing peace to Islam Religion is a right and not an obligation Symbol of religious freedom and acceptance Does it have to be so insecure to build non-functional symbolic elements? Like a minaret?