manço architects: conceptual mosque

‘conceptual mosque’ by manco architects all images courtesy manco architects

istanbul-based firm manco architects has submitted images from their entry into the ‘conceptual design competition on mosque architecture’, organized by the municipality of kayseri, turkey. maintaining the principle of a single large volume, the primary component of a dome was replaced in favor of an alternative iconic form – a slanted cube. ‘kaaba’, the holiest place of islam towards where all muslims turn during prayer, is symbolized by a plain cube, illustrating the simplicity and humbleness recommended to muslims. this starting point of a cubic mass was skewed to result in a rectangular plan for the mosque, an essential planning principle for the linear order of prayer. the alteration was also influenced by the bending and prostrating movements of salaat. a sloping prayer area sliced into the podiums descend towards the kaaba direction.

perspective view from the direction of mecca

the interior sloping treatment extends to the outside, dividing the plot into two courtyards with different grades. the higher of the two accommodates outdoor friday, eid and funeral prayers while the lower is sunk 1.5 m under grade and circumscribed by the annex. an ablution area is located underneath the mosque to enable direct access to the prayer area. the water also aids in facilitating natural sunlight to enter the mosque, as well as direct cool cross ventilation.

main entrance

interior view

  schematic diagram

natural daylight and cross ventilation diagram

overall plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +2.30

floor plan / level +4.00

section

designboom has received these images from our new ‘DIY submissions‘  feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication.we have already acquired many submissions, so keep on the lookout for more of your projects to be published in the coming days!