1 park 2 sanctuaries: transforming mosque architecture towards the needs

Abstract

Currently, the opinion of an immutable mosque typology with a dome and minarets is dominant. However, it is obvious that a dome, minarets and some other elements are not a necessity through the historical development of mosque architecture. But the aforementioned formation is regarded as a necessity. This thesis will discuss the use of these elements through the development of mosque architecture, position and stylistic features of the elements in mosques. Each element is going to be focused on one by one. Thesis will also exemplify the subject through a design. Primarily, the article will focus on the development of mosque architecture through history. It will also study how elements were approached, how they are used in different geographies, eras and within technological possibilities, their symbolic meanings, and the effect they created. The second section will comment on how the elements are approached in contemporary mosques. In this context, contemporary mosque expression will be highlighted. The interpretation of the elements, stylistic deformations, and dimensional features will be conveyed through examples. A new religional complex is designed for Barcelona Metropolitan Area where all the sects are motivated to use the complex together. It is possible that muslims can use the same mosque to pray but one of the sects, alevism, does not fit in a mosque due to prayer methods and traditions. So it is going to be mono-religion multisect complex containing two different sanctuaries. Due to the location of the project, mosque elements are interpreted as park elements to match the characteristics of the context.