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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Central Mosque of Pristina Competition in Republic of Kosovo by SADAR + VUGANovember 10th, 2013 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: SADAR + VUGA The SADAR+VUGA proposal for the new Central Mosque of Pristina has been awarded the second prize, whereas no first prize has been selected. Following the jury’s invitation we have developed the design proposal further for final jury’s selection of the design that will go into a design implementation phase.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA
 Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA The proposal is related to the architectural significance of the old Sultan Mehmet II Mosque in Pristina, which was a design ‘prototype’. Main architectural characteristics as well as the impressive proportions of the old Mosque, was studied and interpreted into a new fresh dynamic, yet balanced development of the mosque’s volume and massing in its surroundings.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA At the old Sultan Mehmet II Mosque, an octagonal belt transits the square of the rectangular volume to the circle of the dome at the top, whereas the volumetric transition of the new mosque is much smoother: the rectangular base volume, a lower belt, narrows towards its top and slightly rotates to accommodate a middle belt. The narrowing and rotation of the middle belt continues to the upper belt and further up to the dome. The minaret rises up from the corner, to the right of the entrance.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA Three slightly rotated massive belts and a circular dome make up the mosque. There is spacing between the belts, as well as between the dome and the upper belt allowing diffuse daylight to flood into the interior of the dome. It seems as if the three belts and the dome would be suspended by the warm daylight, which creates a very specific atmosphere inside the Mosque.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA The interior is filled with a homogenous light, penetrating into the space from spacing between the belts and through the windows of the lower belt. Light spills in from above, from all sides, from the floor to the base of the dome. Two sets of narrow windows on the lower belt allows sunrays to penetrate the mosque. The lower sets of windows touches the ground floor of the Mosque and enables viewing towards outside.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA The Mosque rises above a 8m high podium, which, due to the height difference of the terrain, is partly buried. The podium contains two levels of rooms for the ancillary activities of the mosque: ablution, social and education center, and administration offices with the imam’s apartment on the upper level and a big conference hall surrounded by bazaar-like organized shopping on the lower level.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA The grand portico consisting of an artificial stone-cladded colonnade in front of the main entrance to the mosque is developed as an extension of the mosque’s lower belt. The cannelure-shaped colonnade creates an in-between space between the ‘carved-in’ entrance and the gathering plaza on the entrance plateau.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA Three slightly rotated massive belts and a circular dome make up the mosque. There is spacing between the belts, as well as between the dome and the upper belt allowing diffuse daylight to flood into the interior of the dome. It seems as if the three belts and the dome would be suspended by the warm daylight, which creates a very specific atmosphere inside the Mosque.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA The interior is filled with a homogenous light, penetrating into the space from spacing between the belts and through the windows of the lower belt. Light spills in from above, from all sides, from the floor to the base of the dome. Two sets of narrow windows on the lower belt allows sunrays to penetrate the mosque. The lower sets of windows touches the ground floor of the Mosque and enables viewing towards outside.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA The Mosque rises above a 8m high podium, which, due to the height difference of the terrain, is partly buried. The podium contains two levels of rooms for the ancillary activities of the mosque: ablution, social and education center, and administration offices with the imam’s apartment on the upper level and a big conference hall surrounded by bazaar-like organized shopping on the lower level.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA The grand portico consisting of an artificial stone-cladded colonnade in front of the main entrance to the mosque is developed as an extension of the mosque’s lower belt. The cannelure-shaped colonnade creates an in-between space between the ‘carved-in’ entrance and the gathering plaza on the entrance plateau.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA The screens continue from the podium’s lower level along the podium wall on the northern side and rises up to the entrance plateau. Here the screens embrace the entrance garden that appears due to the Kiblah’s orientation of 38 degrees in relation to the urban context and the surrounding buildings.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA The lower part of the podium extends on the same level to the big lawn – a large square green area, lifted from the surroundings. This is a main gathering place for prayers, citizens and visitors. This is the place to relax and play, to contemplate or to celebrate.  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA  Image Courtesy © SADAR + VUGA
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Tags: Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo Category: Mosque |
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