
The Yesil Vadi Mosque is designed with a focus on function, emphasizing its key components while respecting traditional, spatial, and symbolic criteria. The mosque reflects the communal memory of Islamic architecture and serves as a social gathering space. It includes a 350-person prayer hall, a 250-person meeting hall, a library, social activity units, a courtyard, and a square, forming a comprehensive social complex.
The mosque’s main structure is placed over a water surface that covers half of the site, symbolically and functionally isolating it from its surroundings. The circular form, representing the universe and infinity, is a fundamental design element. Ottoman mosques traditionally feature a circular layout, and this concept has been further explored in the two-dimensional and three-dimensional design of Yesil Vadi Mosque.
Islamic philosophy centers around the unity of existence, which is reflected in the mosque’s design. The universe is seen as an interconnected whole, with everything being a reflection of a singular omnipotent being. This notion guided the architectural choices, especially the emphasis on “kelime-i tevhid” (the declaration of faith).
Serving as both a place of worship and a community center, the mosque plays a role in education, dispute resolution, and social gatherings. Unlike European cities with designated squares, Ottoman urban planning often integrates mosque courtyards as communal spaces. The minaret, rather than the dome, serves as the visual focal point, acting as a beacon of religious communication.
Yesil Vadi Mosque’s design integrates Ottoman architectural principles with modern construction techniques. The central dome, created by subtracting sections from a 25-meter hemisphere, forms various functional spaces. A 2.5-meter-thick spherical subtraction creates a gathering space, another subtraction forms the last prayer area, and additional cuts shape the entrance, mihrab, and windows.
Contrasting with the dome’s geometry, the minaret consists of a paraboloid cone attached to a cylinder. Smaller cylinders combine to form the crescent, gallery, and call-to-prayer platform. The concrete shell structure features two hemispherical domes of different diameters, with an illuminated circular opening divided into 11 sections, symbolizing religious numerology (33, 99). The windows allow light to filter through engraved Kufic calligraphy, creating a striking visual effect at night.
The mihrab receives natural light from top and rear windows, emphasizing the engraved Kufic calligraphy of “Basmala” (“In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful”). The main entrance, crafted from stainless steel and glass sliding doors, is adorned with geometric marble muqarnas.
The minaret, detached from the main structure, follows the golden ratio for proportional harmony. Its gallery, cap, and crescent are composed of 20 cm stainless steel tubes, illuminated with fiber optic lighting. A four-way speaker system within the minaret broadcasts the call to prayer.
An additional structure includes a platform with a water feature that symbolizes life, while marble elements represent stability and death. A concrete console between two musalla stones is engraved with Sura Al-Fatiha, highlighting the cyclical nature of life, time, and death.
Yesil Vadi Mosque is positioned within a newly planned settlement, integrating with the Yesil Vadi Housing Development. This area comprises residential blocks, shops, social facilities, a sports center, and an elementary school, forming a cohesive neighborhood.
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