BUILDING A CONTEMPORARY MOSQUE IN SYDNEY AS AN ANTIDOTE TO ISLAMOPHOBIASYDNEY MOSQUE : ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTRE

ARCH 7201 RESEARCH DESIGN STUDIOMAY 2010 / LIONEL TEH / Z3236807

INTRODUCTION

This project is a journey to establish an understanding of the relationship between Islam and Australia (the West) and leads to the question of building a Mosque in Sydney, Australia. I would like to question the role of architecture in bringing peace to the relationship between Islam and Australia (the

West) in the contemporary world.

MONTAGE

These images represent the key issues of exploration in this project. Keywords:

Islam and the West (Sydney)Islamophobia

Traditional Mosque/Contemporary MosqueIntegration (multiculturalism & religion

pluralism)Contribution & contextualization

FRAMEWRORK (STAGE 1)

The nature of this studio requires the student to construct their own project framework which allows student to have a greater comprehension of one’s direction and aims. The proposed framework is parallel to the

studio’s proposed schedule.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWRORK (STAGE 2)

This exercise helps to crystallize my ideas and direction. It begins with identification of issues related to the proposed topic. In order to find a ‘solution’, one has to equip with related information by writing a literature review. Information gained can then be tools to find

a (or multiple) solution(s).

The diagram shows an outline of the theoretical framework written.

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SITE ANLYSIS (STAGE 4)

Sydney Mosque needs to be central, within a diverse community and accessible. Surry Hill Mosque gave a clue as to where the Sydney mosque should be placed and potentially replaces the Surry Hills Mosque. Surry Hill is a retail and commercial area with diverse community and crowded with street life. The choice of site will provides a greater platform for integration with significant level of interaction. Sydney Mosque needs to contextualized and be sensitive towards the surrounding therefore this exercise will construct a perimeter and direction for the

new mosque.

PRECEDENT STUDIES (STAGE 3)

The absence of formal definition on mosque architecture causes the development of mosque building to be highly dependent on precedents (especially the great Ottoman Mosques). On the other hand, the absence of formal definition also allows for new innovation and intervention. The images are precedents of Mosque and also Islamic related buildings which are categorized into

the following category:

Traditional Mosques

Contemporary Mosques

Islamic Centre

Contemporary Mosques Proposals

Site Plan

Site Images Montage

Design Perimeter Conceptual Model

BUILDING A CONTEMPORARY MOSQUE IN SYDNEY AS AN ANTIDOTE TO ISLAMOPHOBIASYDNEY MOSQUE : ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTRE

ARCH 7201 RESEARCH DESIGN STUDIOMAY 2010 / LIONEL TEH / Z3236807

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Prophet Mohammed Mosque, Medina

Penzberg Mosque, Germany

Qatar Islamic Art Centre

Polder Mosque, Netherlands North Poland Community Centre Strasbourg Mosque Cologne Mosque, Germany Abbey Miles London

Building Mass

Roads

Outlines

City grid (projected from proposed site)

Institut Du Monde Arabe, Paris Islamic Centre and Mosque, Rome Lisbon Islamic Centre, Portugal Ismaili Jamatkhana Centre Burnaby, Canada

Assayafaah Mosque, Singapore Putrajaya Contemporary Mosque, Malaysia Sherefudin’s White Mosque, Bosnia

Dome of The Rock, Jerusalem Selimiye Mosque, Turkey Kalon Mosque, Bukhara Great Mosque of Damascus Umayyad Mosque

Augmented buildingheight

Augmented sitecontour

Vehicular (thick) &Pedestrian (thin) movements

Red - Main physical &metaphysical axis

Proposed Site

Proposed Site

N

Proposed Site

Qiblat

City View

Frog HollowPark

Riley St Albion St

Ann StCrown St

Retail &Commercial

Proposed axis tonew site

Site accessibilityStrip

Propose a connection from Crown St to site: site

to Frog Hollow Park

Propose for retail strip on Crown St to continue its

flow into site

Surry Hills Mosque

ProposedSite

Sydney CBD

Surry Hills

PRELIMINARY DESIGN (STAGE 5)

The mosque is devoted to strengthen the relationship between Islam and Australia through integration. Mosque is a collective space and a living entity; it requires active participation from local communities (both Muslims and non-Muslims). Therefore Sydney mosque has to be multifunction; serving both secular and religious activities. Transparency is vital because it encourages interaction and dialogue which will then lead to the development of mutual understanding and

mutual respect.

Hence the proposed programs are akin to a cultural centre. This will provide a stage for intercultural and interfaith events to take

place. Sydney mosque will have:

-public park to serve the community, -retail gallery that promotes Islamic art and fashion, -café and restaurant that promotes Islamic cuisine,-art gallery that exhibits Intercultural art and-classes to hold calligraphy, language and cultural classes (for non-Muslims)

Ultimately it is a centre of exchange, continuous cultivation and enrichment of

Islamic culture and Australian culture.

BUILDING A CONTEMPORARY MOSQUE IN SYDNEY AS AN ANTIDOTE TO ISLAMOPHOBIASYDNEY MOSQUE : ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTRE

ARCH 7201 RESEARCH DESIGN STUDIOMAY 2010 / LIONEL TEH / Z3236807

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Radial OPTION 1

This option is an exploration inspired by traditional mosque (Isfagan Grest Mosque) circulation, where the central courtyard acts

as a transitional nucleus.

The nucleus could then be perceived as a distribution space or a service core. The programs surround this central can be

connected physically or visually.

This forms the basis of this design exploration.

‘Proposed Program’ wheel

Program areas in relation to site

Program Arrangement

Arrangement Development (2D) Arrangement Development (3D) Conceptual models

Peeling Peeling (ramp)

Carving

Austere grid implication

Qib

lat a

xis

City vi

ew axis

Isfagan Great Mosque

BUILDING A CONTEMPORARY MOSQUE IN SYDNEY AS AN ANTIDOTE TO ISLAMOPHOBIASYDNEY MOSQUE : ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTRE

ARCH 7201 RESEARCH DESIGN STUDIOMAY 2010 / LIONEL TEH / Z3236807

Linear OPTION 2

Calligraphy and geometry are the 2 art forms that are fundamental to Mosque architecture. Calligraphy are movements

that emulates coninuity and seamlessness.Geometry are imminent to mathematical principles. It instills harmony and balance which is a representation of the perfect

Creater.

Therefore in this option, the program arrangement is inspired by calligraphy; a continuous movement which forms a linear

connection.

The programs volumes are perceived to be looping and stacking on top of each other. Then, a geometrical fabric will enclose the volume to protect and mediate the volume

inside.

Fragment OPTION 3

The third option looks at the fine grain of a city. Surry Hills is defined by many small and cosy laneways. Therefore, could the programs be fragmented into fine grains and scattered around the site, creating organic circulation and a sense of natural growth

akin to an arabic city.

Program Arrangement

Program Arrangement

Arrangement Development (2D)

Arrangement Development (2D)

Arrangement Development (3D)

Arrangement Development (3D)

Option B Modules(Hypostyle)

Controlled Flow

Public Flow

Option A Fabric

Cover

Programs

Cordoba Great Mosque (hypostyle)Medina lanesSurry Hills lanes

Bismellah

Spatial Flow

Stacking of geometries with undulating cover

Origami foldings

Origami structure creating volume and cover

Murqanas

This will then allow interesting thresholds to form , mediating between programs.

This becomes the base for this design exercise.