mosque architecture and design Archives

Andyrahman Architect’s Al-Muttaqin Grand Mosque Cakranegara

The Al-Muttaqin Grand Mosque in Cakranegara, Mataram, Indonesia, originally founded in 1973, underwent renovations in 1992 and 2007. After the collapse of the old mosque in a 2019 earthquake, Andyrahman Architect designed a new mosque in 2020 with a responsive approach to nature, users, and space requirements. The design balances contemporary elements with local traditions, culture, and Islamic law, adapting to the times.

andyrahman architect ornaments mosque in indonesia with lombok-style wickerwork

all images courtesy of Andyrahman Architect

mosque fuses contemporary design with religion and tradition

The roof design combines the tajug roof of Bayan Beleq mosque with the Sasak rice barn roof, presenting a fusion of religion and tradition. The black, lightweight roof enhances safety during earthquakes. The mosque’s openings resemble a Sasak granary, symbolizing the balance between prayer and worship practices. Traditional ornamental details, such as Lombok-style wickerwork, use synthetic rattan, maintaining local character. The mosque, designed by Andyrahman Architect, integrates Sasak weaving motifs into wall ornaments, creating a recognizable local identity.

Al-Muttaqin Grand Mosque in Cakranegara, Mataram, Indonesia, underwent renovation by Andyrahman Architect

mosque’s open and inclusive space serves as community hub

The spatial concept prioritizes ample space, positioning the mosque closer to the west side for optimal accommodation during peak times. This strategic placement ensures an efficiently utilized courtyard without overflow. Qibla direction guides design lines, aiding in determining the direction during large gatherings. The square main space accommodates 1750 worshipers, with additional spaces totaling over 2800. The mosque promotes natural ventilation and serves as a social hub, attracting the community with its open and inclusive design.

the mosque’s design prioritizes a responsive approach to nature, users, and space requirements

sasak granary-shaped openings symbolize the delicate equilibrium between prayer and worship practices

traditional Lombok-style wickerwork incorporates synthetic rattan, preserving local character

babnimnim studio unveils mamluki lancet mosque

A contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Egyptian architecture, the Mamluki Lancet Mosque by Babnimnim Design Studio poses a spiritual sanctuary for the local community in Al-Masayel, Kuwait. The architects draw on classic Islamic motifs, including calligraphy relief, intricate geometric ornamentation, archways, and the Moqarnas typology to balance a large half dome over the rectilinear space. The mosque unfolds as a sequence of five stone masses, stacked and rotating, each resonating with the five daily prayers and symbolizing the foundation of faith, alignment to the Qibla (prayer direction towards Makkah), and connection to the surroundings. Meanwhile, three intervening masses dynamically coalesce to form a funnel-like configuration, creating an unobstructed interior devoid of columns, facilitating unhindered alignment for prayers.

Mamluki Lancet Mosque | image by Mohammed Ashkanani

a contemporary expression of historic islamic architecture

The five progressively rotating masses ascend toward the central half dome which is marked by the symbolic Islamic moon, engraved in intricate metalwork that is echoed in the minaret to signify unity and connection to the divine. A strategically positioned additional mass completes the Islamic Star plan when viewed from above, enhancing the mosque’s identity and visibility in the neighborhood while demarcating alternative side entrances. Babnimnim Design Studio punctuates the facade with minimalist lancet cutouts — motifs and proportions found in classical Mamluki mosques — that frame windows and structural elements at various levels. A grand wooden door invites worshippers into the sacred space, echoing the half dome that defines the mosque’s core by an elongated form to envelop and house the primary lobby gateway towards the main interior.

The Kuwaiti architects have arranged adjacent smaller half domes in a stepped configuration to serve as luminous wells, infusing natural light within and marking an inviting prelude to the women’s quarters. A stately minaret stands tall and aligns with the central axis, descending within to mark the indoor Mihrab area. It unites the exterior and interior elements, inviting worshippers to focus their devotion towards the Qibla.

sited within a residential neighborhood in Kuwait | image by Mohammed Ashkanani

stone masses and islamic engravings bridge past and present

Stepping inside the Mamluk Lancet Mosque, a dynamic interplay of masses and finishes marked with juxtaposing ornamentation and simplicity define the space. Lower masses are enveloped in stone for stability while upper masses rendered in pure white evoke lightness and movement. Thuluth-style Quranic inscriptions adorn walls and partitions in calligraphic strokes in a modern relief effect, illuminated by ethereal rays penetrating through rotating volumes. An adaptable sliding partition separates the male prayer hall from the women’s area for daily use, expanding during Ramadan to support larger congregations to maintain inclusivity and unity.

Inspired by the historic era of the Mamluk Empire, the mosque embraces a modern material palette through gray stone cladding and white clay plastering for a subdued yet genuine reinterpretation. The harmonious cool grays and whites, complemented by subtle brass accents, enrobe both the interior and exterior and bridge the gap between past and present, lending a graceful air of timelessness to the architecture.

a series of half arches create a harmonious flow of imagery | image by Mohammed Ashkanani