reinterpreted islamic patterns and triangulated geometry clad dabbagh architects's mosque in UAE

dabbagh architects’s mosque in dubai, UAE, is a contemporary place of worship allowing the visitors to smoothly transition from the busy outer world and prepare for an inner experience. the building is clad in a triangular pattern, which refers to traditional islamic geometry but reinterpreted in a modern language. as continuity, the structure is punctured by a series of strategically positioned same-shaped openings, bringing controlled natural light to the interior, providing a sense of calm and spiritual connection.

a pared-down form that eschews traditional islamic typology, with a design narrative to transition the worshipper from the outer everyday world to an inner spiritual experience

all images courtesy of dabbagh architects

the ‘mosque of the late mohamed abdulkhaliq gargash’ is one of the first mosques in the UAE, designed by a female architect. the client’s brief was to create a minimal calm and spiritual space for prayer, addressing the community of the al quoz, the industrial heart of dubai. dabbagh architects used natural light as a tool to heighten a feeling of spirituality, the connection between the earthly and divine, and to mark the worshipper’s journey through the building.

the exterior paneling uses this triangulated pattern in recessed and perforated elements, which gives the building’s skin a dynamic appearance.

upon entering the mosque, perforated shading creates a threshold of perforated light leading the worshipper to the ablution area. there, the physical cleansing invites the clearing of the mind and preparation for prayer. the play of pattern and materiality in this project enhances the visitor’s experience; the architects sourced materials from the mosque’s locality: stone from oman country; concrete, aluminum, cladding, joinery, and ceramics from the UAE.

‘creating a space of worship was a very particular design challenge. prayer is a devotional act. it requires the worshipper to be totally present. with all the distractions in our modern busy lives it can be challenging to quieten the mind and find an inner calm to allow for full immersion into prayer,’ says sumaya, the founder of dabbagh architects.

the use of pattern and materiality enhances the user’s experience

the journey continues through a lobby space where people remove their shoes, as an act of shedding the material world. ‘muslim prayer is performed throughout the day at prescribed timings: at dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset and at night. this discipline creates a human connection with the natural day and night rhythm. the experience created through the design of the mosque seeks to enhance this connection through a controlled introduction of natural lighting,’ explains sumaya.

the light serves as a tool to create a connection with the divine

in the process of design development, the main building volume was separated into two: firstly, the prayer block containing the male and female prayer areas, and secondly the service block where the ablution facilities and residence for the imam (the leader of prayer) and moazen (caller of prayer) are found. as a result of this division, a courtyard is formed which has a sculptural canopy reaching out to reconnect the two volumes together.

to enhance the sense of sacredness they paid attention to the element of scale

the perforations scatter natural light into the areas creating a calm atmosphere and sense of connection to the divine, as well as helping to cool the mosque’s interior. the double skin dome also allows natural light to enter, filtering it through the internal decorative skin, which incorporates the same triangulated pattern as the rest of the building. the reinterpreted islamic patterns and triangulated geometry harmonize throughout the interior as lines intersecting across walls, carpets, and light fittings.