Grand Mosque

Islam has traditionally been at the forefront of technology and change. The idea is to strategically break down barriers of traditional understanding and incorporate the ever-changing perception of technology, materials, and design tools etc., which have greatly influenced our mindsets and life styles. For a society like ours, which is in a phase of transformation, totally being futuristic and ignoring traditional values may also end up in chaos. Keeping in view the above notion, we have developed a strategy, which captures the moments of transformation by bridging ‘Tradition’ with ‘Futuristic Aspirations’. This fusion has been done by using a traditional pointed arch and blending it in its various gestures with a modern form, where the main shell replaces a traditional dome on one end and a stylized vertical extrusion on the other, emanating from the mass below replacing the isolated traditional minarets seen on most mosques. Mosque is a place of connection between the ‘pure’ and ‘an attempt to be pure’. So our design signifies the connectedness and continuity in its overall form. Inspiring from the topography of Margalla Hills, curvilinear lines are used to define the relationship among various elements put together as the Mosque. Namaz being a single entity, changes various scales in its performance in the mosque like from a daily prayer to Namaz-e-Jumma to Namaz-e-Eidein to Namaz-e-Jinaza etc. This variegated scale is represented through a single entity pointed arch used in various scales and forms. These arches have been used as a traditional reference but are stylized in their usage following the rhythm of contoured lines all around the form. Main divisions in the form are the shell, the connectors and the functional mass.