Languages

Moskee aan de Amsterdamse grachten


History


The building is a "flagship store" for Islam in the Netherlands – as described by the architect- The mosque is on the site of the former old public library. It is considered as a representation of a substantial group of Amsterdam people. The location was chosen for the Dutch-born generation to look for a contemporary Dutch mosque, as well as to balance between preservation and innovation.

Urban and Architectural


The complex is articulated in two volumes, with a square in between. The typology of the mosque offers a lot of freedom and few elements are obligatory, the orientation to qibla direction(mecca) and the spatial sequence are the most important of these elements. " Both aspects influenced the shape of the brick vaults under which the mosque finds its place, "says Knijtijzer. The mosque building is for everyone regardless of their religion, age and gender, as it is also a multifunctional space that contains an exhibition space, a hammam (bath house) and a café / restaurant.

Description


The mosque is Knijtijzer's graduation assignment at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture, and it is part of the exhibition series "poetry on the plinth"

Details

Location

1017 HD Amsterdam, Netherlands

Architect Name

Jurrian Knijtijzer

Year of Build

2011

Drawings

Map

History

The building is a "flagship store" for Islam in the Netherlands – as described by the architect- The mosque is on the site of the former old public library. It is considered as a representation of a substantial group of Amsterdam people. The location was chosen for the Dutch-born generation to look for a contemporary Dutch mosque, as well as to balance between preservation and innovation.

Urban and Architectural

The complex is articulated in two volumes, with a square in between. The typology of the mosque offers a lot of freedom and few elements are obligatory, the orientation to qibla direction(mecca) and the spatial sequence are the most important of these elements. " Both aspects influenced the shape of the brick vaults under which the mosque finds its place, "says Knijtijzer. The mosque building is for everyone regardless of their religion, age and gender, as it is also a multifunctional space that contains an exhibition space, a hammam (bath house) and a café / restaurant.

Description

The mosque is Knijtijzer's graduation assignment at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture, and it is part of the exhibition series "poetry on the plinth"