Musholla. It is an Islamic sacred building, called "musholla", which is used for the five daily obligatory prayers and the recitation of the Koran. Musholla can take two forms. Either in the form of a separate room inside the buildings. For example, in public institutions, airports, family houses and the like, or as a separate building. The difference between a mosque and a musholla is in size, with the mosque serving mainly for the large communal congregational prayers held on Fridays. Mosques usually have a minbar (pulpit), we don't find this in a musholla. The musholla plays a very important role within the locality, as in addition to being a place for prayer, it becomes the cultural center of the locality, where various community activities take place. Especially in densely populated localities, this building plays a very important role with diverse support activities. The construction of a musholla is already a standard in Indonesia nowadays within larger ensembles, and it is also the main requirement of the city to include it in the design.
Musholla is located in Pangandaran. A picturesque seaside town on the southwest coast of Java, it captures the hearts of visitors with its beautiful beaches, azure seas and lush jungles. Behind the design is Erik Petrus, a Czech architect who is known for his iconic buildings that carry not only architectural elegance, but also a strong emotional atmosphere. His designs are a blend of innovation and a sensitive approach to space, creating unique and impressive buildings. His work in Indonesia highlights his ability to connect modern architecture with local culture and exotic nature. His projects bring not only visual aesthetics to the Indonesian environment, but also an atmosphere that appeals and leaves a lasting impression on visitors.
The musholla building is located next to the residential complex De Residence Pangandaran, which the architect also designed for an investor in the past. The main purpose of building the musholla was to thank both God and the local residents for building a residential complex on the neighboring land. The goal was also to create a local center for residents, which serves to gather for prayer or for various social activities. The construction has been enthusiastically received by the local residents, happily showing that Musholla is fulfilling its purpose as the spiritual and social core of the locality.
The building’s massing follows the trapezoidal shape of the site and is articulated into two distinct volumes – the chapel and the supporting facilities.
The inner prayer hall is surrounded by a covered walkway clad in perforated bricks, which shields the interior from direct sunlight while also creating a welcoming space for gathering. These perforated bricks create a dynamic play of light and shadow, enriching the atmosphere within the prayer hall. The prayer hall itself is elevated and crowned with a cylindrical dome pierced by a narrow vertical window, allowing light to filter into the space. This shaft of light symbolizes divine presence, reinforcing the sense that prayer is a direct dialogue with Allah, while at the same time marking the qibla, the direction toward Mecca.
Unlike mosques, a musholla does not require a minaret. In this design, the cylindrical dome assumes that symbolic role, emerging as the main and most recognizable architectural feature. The spatial typology draws inspiration from the traditional Javanese pendopo pavilion, while the massing recalls the tajug form. Through this synthesis, traditional Indonesian elements are reinterpreted within a modern architectural language. The pure white surfaces of the building emphasize its sacred character, creating a powerful contrast with the surrounding tropical greenery and strengthening its local identity. The design thus proposes a contextual variant of Islamic architecture—one that integrates the tropical climate with contemporary design expression.
The second volume of the building contains support facilities for the adjacent residential complex De Residence Pangandaran. This two-story block, positioned behind the chapel, contains laundry services and staff areas, ensuring the everyday functions remain discreetly separated from the sacred space.
