“The idea of an “Open Mosque” was deeply rooted in my mind since day one. I was keen to take down the very walls that often establish the threshold that protects its sanctity to demystify Islam within a community that is largely non-Muslim. The essence of “Openness” extends beyond the tangible architectural manifestation of visual porosity, accessibility and climatic openness, with deeper reaching roots to embrace the needs within the Muslim community. Apart from fulfilling its primary function of worship, I wanted the design of the Al-Islah Mosque to communicate much more. In a world that is increasingly polarized and fragmented, I was tremendously blessed with an enlightened client, and living in Singapore, to realize a project that would preach tolerance and conciliation of differences to the world."
OPEN PLAN
We propose a voluminous, open plan on a slightly elevated ground floor to house the main prayer hall. The open-sided prayer space is shielded from the weather by an overhanging canopy that occupies the entire buildable footprint, like a big roof eave. With no boundary walls and minimum enclosing wall, the worship hall is visually and physically accessible on all sides, blurring the distinction between the mosque premise and the street.
ELEVATED PUBLIC PIAZZA
Linked by a series of grand landscaped terraces from the street, this elevated landscape deck becomes like a public square where 3 distinct volumes housing the Main Prayer block, Islamic Learning Centre and Administration block, sit. Correspondingly, it lends itself as a spill out area for events and activities serving the three program functions, as well as extended praying spaces during peak usage.
3 VOLUMES
At the urban scale, the massing strategy seeks to create more porosity and human scale. The arabesque screen facades of the 3 blocks are articulated differently to correspond to the different programmatic requirements and climatic responds. But collectively, the blocks with the minaret exude a dignified and subliminal presence while embracing the community spirit.
