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Msheireb Mosque


Description


The design of the Msheireb Mosque fuses Modernist ideas with an historically familiar arrangement of Islamic volumes, spaces and thresholds. The scheme uses local stone, craft techniques and interpretive details. The concept has evolved from the traditional Qatari mosque and follows the principles of simplicity, functionality and spirituality, combined with a modern interpretation of materiality and order. A key challenge of the design was ensuring that the entrances to the Mosque and the interior spaces once inside, were able to be accessed separately by men and women, in accordance with Islamic customs.

The project's scope of work consist of a mosque located in Msheireb Downtown, Doha, the newly unveiled mosque, and house dedicated prayer halls for both men and women. It also has a dedicated parking area and lifts from the basement. Msheireb mosque incorporates a specifically tailored daylight and sunlight design, to create dynamic sun patches inspired by Qatari motifs within the main hall during prayer hours, and needs no artificial lighting during daylight hours. Embracing key principles of Islamic art, geometric patterns and designs.

Abdulla Hassan Al Mehshadi, CEO, Msheireb Properties, said, “The mosque is a major milestone in this new, dynamic area. “Our aim was to develop a sanctuary for worshippers that embrace the key principles of Islamic art and architecture. “In line with our commitment to preserve Qatar’s heritage and religious traditions, it will offer worshippers a comfortable and calm environment to pray. “We look forward to giving the community an opportunity to experience the new mosque.”

Close to the original Doha coastline, the area, and its immediate surroundings have always been the anchor of religious and political power serving the local population. We have sought a fusion of highly elegant Modernism with a historically familiar arrangement of volumes, spaces, and thresholds whose strong sense of presence is made even more resonant by the use of specifically Qatari materials and architectural details. We have rejected pastiche. Our design concept is about a meeting of architectural cultures in which contemporary design is inflected with resonant marks of locality, and deeper Islamic history. The perfect cube building consists of white stone. Metal Islamic patterned gates enclose the entrance pavilion and support spaces including accommodation for the Imam. Within the prayer hall a perforated, patterned roof allows dappled natural light to enter the prayer hall providing a contemplative space for prayer. A colonnade of stone wraps the courtyard on both sides, framing a perfect courtyard square. In its centre, a pond gives a sense of calmness and contemplation before the entrance to the Prayer Hall. Design Approach The form and configuration of the building is based on that of traditional Qatari mosques, which have for centuries used orientation, shading, natural ventilation and water to create comfortable environments for prayer. The design reflects the key principles of Islamic. 

Details

Location

Wadi Musheirib St, Doha, Qatar

Worshippers

1600

Owners

Qatar foundation

Architect Name

Arab Engineering Bureau (John McAslan + Partners)

Year of Build

2015

Drawings

Map

Description

The design of the Msheireb Mosque fuses Modernist ideas with an historically familiar arrangement of Islamic volumes, spaces and thresholds. The scheme uses local stone, craft techniques and interpretive details. The concept has evolved from the traditional Qatari mosque and follows the principles of simplicity, functionality and spirituality, combined with a modern interpretation of materiality and order. A key challenge of the design was ensuring that the entrances to the Mosque and the interior spaces once inside, were able to be accessed separately by men and women, in accordance with Islamic customs.

The project's scope of work consist of a mosque located in Msheireb Downtown, Doha, the newly unveiled mosque, and house dedicated prayer halls for both men and women. It also has a dedicated parking area and lifts from the basement. Msheireb mosque incorporates a specifically tailored daylight and sunlight design, to create dynamic sun patches inspired by Qatari motifs within the main hall during prayer hours, and needs no artificial lighting during daylight hours. Embracing key principles of Islamic art, geometric patterns and designs.

Abdulla Hassan Al Mehshadi, CEO, Msheireb Properties, said, “The mosque is a major milestone in this new, dynamic area. “Our aim was to develop a sanctuary for worshippers that embrace the key principles of Islamic art and architecture. “In line with our commitment to preserve Qatar’s heritage and religious traditions, it will offer worshippers a comfortable and calm environment to pray. “We look forward to giving the community an opportunity to experience the new mosque.”

Close to the original Doha coastline, the area, and its immediate surroundings have always been the anchor of religious and political power serving the local population. We have sought a fusion of highly elegant Modernism with a historically familiar arrangement of volumes, spaces, and thresholds whose strong sense of presence is made even more resonant by the use of specifically Qatari materials and architectural details. We have rejected pastiche. Our design concept is about a meeting of architectural cultures in which contemporary design is inflected with resonant marks of locality, and deeper Islamic history. The perfect cube building consists of white stone. Metal Islamic patterned gates enclose the entrance pavilion and support spaces including accommodation for the Imam. Within the prayer hall a perforated, patterned roof allows dappled natural light to enter the prayer hall providing a contemplative space for prayer. A colonnade of stone wraps the courtyard on both sides, framing a perfect courtyard square. In its centre, a pond gives a sense of calmness and contemplation before the entrance to the Prayer Hall. Design Approach The form and configuration of the building is based on that of traditional Qatari mosques, which have for centuries used orientation, shading, natural ventilation and water to create comfortable environments for prayer. The design reflects the key principles of Islamic.