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Bait ur Rouf MosqueDhaka, Bangladesh

I. Introduction

TheBaiturRoufMosqueislaudablefortheprocessthatitexemplifies–asmall-scaleparticipatoryprojectforacommunitybuilding,builtwithinamodestbudget,onethatwasraisedthroughcharitablecontributions.Yetitisthearchitecturalexpressionthatisadmirable–thequintessentialmosque,elegantyetelemental,withspacesthataredirect,simpleandrobust,allowingthecongregationtogatherinprayerasequals.

Thisterracottabrickbuildingisexquisitelyscaled,holdingthecornerinwhatisafragmented,chaoticurbanlandscape.Fromwithintheprayerhallisreflectivespace,withnoviewsout,butalllightisfromabove,thatcomesdownandbathes thebrickwalls.Theconstructionandcraftsmanshipofbrick isexceptional.Thebuildingisawonderfullycontemporaryexpressionofatimelessprogramme,takingeveryelementofamosqueandfindingitscontemporaryvoice.

Thebudget is thediscipliningcriterion– itsconstrainthas forced thedesign tobesimple ineveryway,therebycompellingthearchitecttosearchforwhatisessentialtoamosque.

II. Contextual Information

A. Brief historical background

In1947,atindependencefromBritishrule,theIndiansubcontinentwaspartitionedalongreligiouslinesintoIndiaandPakistan.Thisdivisiondisplacedaround14millionpeople,leadingtothelargestmassmigrationinhistoryasHindusandMuslimshadtorelocateacrossthefreshbordersandmakenewlivesfortheirfamilies.

Atthistime,architectMarinaTabassum’smaternalgrandmother’sfamilywasamongthoseMuslimfamiliesthatcamefromeasternBiharand,inordertohelpthemsettle,herfamilywasgiven20acresoflandontheoutskirtsofDhaka,northeastofthecity.Thefamilyrentedthelandtofarmersandlivedonthisincomeformanyyears.Butoverthedecadesthecityspreadandbytheyear2000,urbandevelopmentwasallaroundwhatusedtobefarmland.

Thenin2002,Marina’smotherdiedverysuddenly,andayearlater,hermother’ssister.Marina’sgrandmother,havinglosttwodaughters,decidedtogivebacktothecommunitybymakingawaqf 1 andbuildingamosqueonpartoftheland.AndsheaskedMarinatodesignit.

Dhaka,historicallysituatedontheeastbankoftheBurigangaRiver, is thecapitalofBangladeshanditslargestcity,withapopulationofover18millionpeopleinthegreatermetropolitanarea.It isoneof thefastestgrowingcitiesintheworld,andverydenselypopulated.

Urban settlement in the area dates back to the 1stcentury,butDhakareallycametoprominencewhenitwasconqueredbytheMughalsinthelate-16thcentury,andsoonbecamethecapitalofMughalBengal.Itthen

1 InIslamicterms,waqfreferstoareligiousendowment,whichisavoluntaryandirrevocablededicationofone’swealthincashorkind(asinproperty),tobuildamosqueorreligiousschool.

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prosperedwiththemuslinandsilktradeandbecameoneofthewealthiestcitiesintheworld,generating50%ofMughalIndia’sGDP.

TheMughalslaidout thecitywithgardens,mosquesandpalaces.Dhakabecameknownasthe“CityofMosques”inBengal.

B. Local architectural character

The high plinth, negotiated by generous steps, both responds to the threat of flooding and bestows theauthorityofapublicbuilding,especiallyaplaceofworship.

ThemostprominentbuildingmaterialinBangladesh,infactinallofBengal,isterracotta.Craftsareofteninterracotta,astheclayinthedeltaisexceptional.Also,thereisverylittlestoneavailableintheregion,andsoallconstructionoflow-risestructuresisinbrick,usuallyload-bearing,orreinforcedconcreteframewithbrickinfill.Therearethousandsofbrickkilnsdottedacrossthecountry,asthisisalargepartoftheinformaleconomy.

Amajorityofthebuiltstructuresarebrick,whicharethenplastered,thoughbuildingsdesignedbymodernarchitectsareofteninexposedconcreteorexposedbrick.

Thelegacyofarchitectswhobuilthereinthe1960s–suchasLouisKahn(whodesignedSher-e-BanglaNagar,thecapitalcomplex,inthe1960s),andBangladesh’sownMazharulIslam–createdthebasisforaprofession and intellectual discipline2.

ThemosquesoftheBengalSultanate(14thto16thcentury)alsoinfluencedthearchitectureoftheregion,and

theBaiturRoufMosqueinparticular.MainlyduetothelargenumberofconversionstoIslamduringthisperiod,hundredsofmosqueswerebuilt.Mosqueswerethenewbuildingtypologyatthattime,buttheywerenotimported–theywereacombinationandadaptationofelementsfoundintraditionalarchitecture3.

TheoneelementthatdominatesbuiltforminDhakaisthehighplinth;everyonewhoisbuildingapermanentstructurebuildsametre-highplinth,topreventfloodwaterfromenteringthestructure.

C. Climatic conditions

Dhakaishotandhumidformostoftheyear.SituatedontheTropicofCancer,thetemperaturesarearound29°Cforaboutsixmonths, fromApril throughSeptember,anddropping toaround21°CinDecember–February.Themonsoon is long,againalmost6monthsof theyear, fromApril throughSeptember,withaveragerainfallinthosemonthsaround250mm.

ThereisalotofcyclonicactivityintheBayofBengal,whichbringshighwinds,andheavyrains.Andsincethelandisatsealevel,floodingcanbequitecommon.

D. Site and surroundings

Thesiteisjustbeyondthecitylimits,northeastofthecityandtheairport.Asaresult,manyofthebuildingssurrounding the site are low-cost simple structures. Small apartment blocks predominate inmore recent

2 Ashraf,KaziK.,“MazharulIslam,KahnandArchitectureinBangladesh”,Mimar,1989.3 Hasan,Perween,“SultanateMosquesandContinuityinBengalArchitecture”,Muqarnas,Vol6,1989,pp.58-74.

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construction(as landvaluesandinvestmentshaveincreased).However,as thesite isbeyondthepresentmunicipallimitsthereisverylittleinfrastructure,andnocivicbodytograntbuildingpermits,etc.

E. Topography

AsintheareaaroundDhaka,thislandisflat,withsmallponds,trenchesandculvertstodrainorholdthelargeamountsofwaterintheclayeysoil.

III. Programme

A. History of the inception of the project

ArchitectMarinaTabassum’smaternalgrandmother’sfamilywasamongthoseMuslimfamilieswhocameduringPartitionfromIndia;andinordertohelpthemsettle,herfamilywasgiven20acresoflandontheoutskirtsofDhaka,northeastofthecity.Thefamilyrentedthelandtofarmersandlivedonthisincomeformanyyears.Butoverthedecadesthecityspreadandbytheyear2000,urbandevelopmentwasallaroundwhatusedtobefarmland.

Thenin2002,Tabassum’smotherdiedverysuddenly,andayearlater,hermother’ssisteraswell.Tabassum’sgrandmother, having lost twodaughters, decided to giveback to the community bymaking awaqf and buildingamosqueonpartoftheland.AndsheaskedhergranddaughterMarinaTabassumtodesignit.

Thedesignstagelasted14months,fromJune2005throughAugust2006,andafterthedesignwascompleted,inSeptember2006,thelandwasofficiallyhandedovertothecommunity,andasimplebamboostructurewithcorrugatedgalvanised-ironsheetswaserectedonthesite.Thisnew,temporarystructurewasconsecratedandwouldserveasaplaceofworship,theprayerhall,until2012whentheMosquewasready.

MarinaTabassum’sgrandmother,SufiaKhatundiedafewmonthsafterthelandwastransferredinthewaqf,andfromthenon,duringtheentireconstructionprocess,MarinaandmembersoftheMosqueCommittee(which included people from the community, donors and other family members), acted as client andspearheadedtheproject.

B. How were the architects and specialists chosen?

Tabassum’sgrandmotherhadaskedher todesign themosque,andMarinaTabassumthenselectedDaudKhalilSarwar,thestructuralengineer,andlaterSharifulIslam,thebrickmason,toworkwithher.Thesepeoplemadethecoreteaminimplementingtheproject.

C. General program objectives

Theobjectivewastobuildamosquefortheneighbouringcommunity,fundedbymodestmeans–throughthecontributionsoffamilymembersandotherdonors.Developingthemostfrugalprogramme,adheringto justwhatwasessential,wascrucial in formulating theobjectives.Thedesignandconstructionof thebuildingdevelopedfromthisrequirementofkeepingtheMosquedesignsimpleandminimal.

The present-day practice of buildingmosques inBangladesh in general is through raising fundswithinaneighbourhoodcommunity.The landisacquiredeither throughthecontributionofsomeone’spersonalproperty, as thearchitect’sgrandmotherdid in this instance;orbyencroachingongovernmentproperty.

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Building-constructionfundingisalwaysachallengeformostmosques,sogenerallytheygrowincrementallywithoutanyplanningorstrategy,raisingfundsfromdifferentsources.Also,thegovernmenthasnoregulationovermosques,soyoucanseethesenumerousunplanned,ill-conceivededificesallaroundthecity.Quiteoften,togeneratefunds,theyrentoutspacesforshops,etc.

Thequalityofspacethatisessentialforprayer–alargevolumewithnaturallight–isclearlynotpresentinmanyofthesemosques.Therichtraditionofbuildingmosquesthatwasonceprevalentislost.Rarelyisanarchitecthiredorinvolvedinthedesignorplanningprocess.

MosquesareatfullcapacityduringFridayprayers,and,attheBaitUrRoufMosque,theCommitteefeltthiswouldbearound500worshippers.DuringRamadanthenumberswouldbelarger,buttheyfeltthatmostofthecongregationwouldspillontothestreetirrespectiveofitscapacity.AndthearchitectandtheMosqueCommitteefeltthattodesignsolelyfortheseoccasionswouldputtoomuchofaburdenonthebudget.Onaverage,just10%oftheprayerspaceisinusethroughouttheyear–i.e.,around50mencomeintoperformnamaz(ritualprayers).(Iattendedtheeveningnamazwhichcomprisedalittlelessthantworowsofmen).So, forBaiturRoufmosque, theydecidednot touse theirbudgetonbuildingseveralfloorsbut insteadcreatedasinglelargevolumetoaccommodatethepeoplefromthelocalcommunity.

The Committee had to raise funds from different sources – families, friends, community, etc. – andthereforeeverybodymakingadonationbecameavoice in thedecision-makingprocessand in justifyingtheprogrammaticandarchitecturaldecisions.Marinasaysthat,“quiteoftenIhadtoexplainwhyIdidnotconsideradomeoraminaretoratleastanotherfloortoaccommodatemorepeople,etc.Orattimesexplainthedelayinconstructionassiteactivitystoppedduetolackoffundsandmaterials.Attimesitbecamequiteastressfulaffair:raisingfunds,payingbillstocontractors…”SheseemstohavewornmanyhatsintryingtoattaintheobjectivesinbuildingtheMosque.

D. Functional requirements

ThebriefdidnotgiveanyspecificrequirementsexceptthatofbuildingamosquefortheneighbourhoodcommunityintheFaidabadarea.

Thearchitectpreparedtheprogrammeandlaterdiscusseditwithallconcernedinordertodevelopabriefoftheprojectforapproval.

Thepreparedbriefwasasfollows:

• Prayerhallfor500people • Ablutionarea • Toiletfacilities • Facilitytoholdfuneralprayer • Imam’soffice

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IV. Description

A. Building data

Thisiswhatwasprovided,afterconsideringrequirements,siteandfunding:

• Prayerhallfor500people:280m2(16.75mx16.75m).OnFridaysitextendstotheoutdoorplinthareaofthemosque.

Thearchitectwasrequestedbythecommunitytoconsidermultiplefloorsorkeepprovisionforexpansion.Multi-storeymosquesarecommonpracticeinBangladeshinrecenttimes.Themosqueskeepexpandingtheirfloor areaswithnoqualityof space toevokeany senseof spirituality.Marina’s explanation fordecidingagainstproviding theadditionalspacewas that,“everymosquewithmultiplefloorsremainsinactiveandemptythroughouttheyearexceptafewspecialoccasions.Itisunwisetoinvestagoodpartofthebudgettobuildunderutilisedspaces”.

• Ablutionareafor12peopleandtoilets: 23.25m2

• Library(upperfloor): 51m2

• CornerVestibules:

Southeastcorner(Entrancewithstair): 12m2

Southwestcorner: 14.85m2

Northeastcorner(Ventilationcourtfortoilets,ablution): 10.65m2

Northwestcorner(EntryvestibuleandImam’soffice): 8m2

• Thereisawatertapwherethemosquesuppliesdrinkingwatertothepoorlivinginthecommunitywhohavenoaccesstotapwater.Thewaterbillissharedbythepeopleofthecommunity.

B. Evolution of design concepts

Response to physical constraints

The design itself takes care of the physical constraints – theMosque is a perfect square that sits on anirregularshapedsite.Theadditionalareaofthesiteisusedasahighplinth,whichisquiteingeniousformanyreasons–ittakescareoftheflooding,allowspeopletositandtalkwhiletheywaitforprayers,butmostimportantly,itseparatesthissacredsitefromthehustleandbustleofthecrowdedstreet.

Thesecondphysicalconstraintisthattheqiblawallisthewestwall,whichfacesabusystreet.Again,thedesignsolutionisveryelegant:Tabassumallowsagapinthebrickwalltodenotethedirectionoftheqibla,andthensplaysitsothat,duringworship,peopledon’tgetdistractedbythesightlinesontothestreet,sowhatyouseeinsteadisthesunlightbouncingoffthewallbeyond.

Inotherwords,boththephysicalconstraintsweremadeintoverypositiveattributesthroughdesign.

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Response to user requirements Theuserswerepartoftheprocess,andtheirrequirementshavebeenincorporatedintothedesigninavery

seamlessway.Eventoday,threeyearsaftercompletion,youdon’tseeanythingaddedonorchanged–itseemstoyetworkwellfortheusers.

Purely formal aspects Thegeometryoftheplanisverystructured,comingfromaheritageofthemosquesoftheBengalSultanate

period,whichhadsimilarlyformalbrickbuildings,andthemodernisttraditionofLouisKahn,whoofcoursehasbeenveryinfluentialincontemporaryBangladesh.

Theoutersquareis23mx23mand7.6mhigh.Thisformsthemainfacadesofthemosque,thetwosurfaces

weseefromtheapproachroad.Inthesquareisacylinder,which,surprisingly,isnotsituatedsymmetricallywithinthesquare,butinsteadmovestoonecorner–tothenorthwest.Bylocatingthecylinderoffcentre,theriwaq,orcolonnade,canusetheadditionaldepthonthesouth-facingside,andtheablutionareahassimilardepthontheeast-facingside.

Withinthecylinderisanothersmallersquare,a“pavilion”–16.75msquare,and10.6mhigh,3.0mhigherthantheoutersquare.This“pavilion”,whichisrotatedwithinthecylindertoorientitselfwiththeqibla,istheprayerhall,aplaceforprayerthathasaclarityofform,andseparatesitselffromtherestofthestructurebyopen-to-skylightwellsbetweenthecylinderandtheinnersquare.

Landscaping Thereisnolandscapinginthisveryurbanproject,whereeverysquaremetreiscoveredinhardscape.This

isimportantinthatthesharpedgesofthehardscapeareincontrasttothedirtroadsadjacenttothesite.Itiswonderful tosee the taut terracottaplinthabutting theundulatingmuddyroadsurface.Also,since theMosqueisopentotheelementsand“breathes”,itconnectstothelandscapeinaninterestingway.

C. Structure, materials, technology

Structural systems Therearetwostructuralsystemsinplace–theload-bearingbrickwallswhichformtheouterperimeterofthe

Mosque,andwhichhousethesmallerspaceswithshortspans,andthereinforcedconcrete-framestructuralsystemthatspanstheprayerhall,whichisacolumn-freespaceof15.25mx15.25m,supportedbyeightconcretecolumns.

Theload-bearingbrickwallsexploitthedepthbetweentheoutersquareandaninnercircle(inplan),allowing

forbuttressingintheinterstitialspace.Thisalsoallowspanelsbetweentheload-bearingstructuretohaveajaliofbrick,leavingoutalternatebricksandrotatingthem.

Thestructureisingeniousinthatitisrigorousanddisciplinedyetprovidingfreedom,allowingthearchitectural

designtodominate.

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Materials

Load-bearingbrickwalls Thebrick,usedinthepaving,thesteps,theraisedplinth,theload-bearingwalls,andthejalisarelocally

made.Though theyaremodular, standardisedbrick, theyaremadeby the informal sector andavailablewithinafewkilometresradiusofthesite.

Infillmaterials Concreteblockistheinfillinthereinforcedconcretestructureoftheinnersquare“pavilion”.

Renderingandfinishes • Terracottabrick: Paving,steps,raisedplinth,load-bearingwalls,jalis • In-situreinforcedconcrete: Concretestructureofthe“pavilion” • Concreteblock: Infillinthe“pavilion” • Terrazzo,white: Prayerhallflooring • Ceramictiles,white: Ablutionarea,toilets • Glass: Skylightsandglasscapssealingpin-holes • Angleirons,welded: Structureforstaircase,doorshutters • Perforatedmetalpanels: Staircase • Steelcables: Staircaserailing

Construction technology

Thetechnologyusedisappropriatefortheenvironmentandthelocalconditions.Itislabourintensiveandusesskillsetsavailablelocally.TheexposedbrickwaswellexecutedandSharifulIslamisanexcellentbrickmason.

Building services, site utilities

Notrelevant.

D. Origin of

Technology

• Traditionalbrickmasonryusedinamodernistidiom. • Frugalmeans,appropriateforthebudgetandcommunity.

Materials

• Locallysourcedmaterials.

Labour force

• Localconstructionlabour.

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Professionals

• Client: SufiaKhatun,MarinaTabassum(alsotheArchitect) • Member,Mosquecommittee: ZulfiqerAliHyder • Architect: MarinaTabassum • Structuralengineer: DaudKhalilSarwar • Siteengineer: BazlurRahman • Brickmason: SharifulIslam

V. Construction Schedule and Costs

A. History of project design and implementation

• April2005: Commission • June2005–August2006: Design • September2006: LandtransferredtotheMosque • September2007–July2012: Construction(severaldelaysduetolackoffunds) • September2012: Occupancy

B. Total costs

Totalcostofconstruction: 12’000’000BDT(133’300EUR) Exchangerate: BangladeshiTaka90.00=1.00Euro

C. Comparative costs

• Totalcostofconstruction: 15’384.60BDT(170.90EUR)perm2

D. Qualitative analysis of costs

• ComparedtoIndia,asimilarlyfinishedbuildingwouldbeabout220EURperm2.

E. Maintenance costs

4’000BDT/month(45.00EUR) Inclusiveofelectricandwaterbills,paidbythecommunity.

F. Ongoing costs and “life performance” of building

Understandably,verylowongoingcosts.

VI. Technical Assessment

A. Functional assessment

Thisisagemofabuilding–averyelegantdesignexceptionallywellexecuted,onaverymodestbudget.Itisapeople’smosque.Foralltheincongruousonesbeingbuilt,theBaiturRoufMosqueistheepitome

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ofsophistication.Theideawastosearchfortheessenceofamosque,one,inMarinaTabassum’swords,“devoidofritualisticandsymbolicattributes.”Asthebudgetwasveryfrugal,thearchitectwascompelledtofindasimpleresolution–aplaceofcongregationalprayer,asabrotherhood,prayingtowardstheqibla.Thespaceshouldbecontemplativeand“evenlylittoenhancethefeelingofallasequals.”TheMosquedoesexactlythat.Justwiththemostessentialcharacteristicsunderlined,thebuildingdefinesitsexteriorpresenceasasmallyetimposingbuilding,andisinwardlooking,asinaplaceofmeditation.Thelargevolumeoftheinteriorspaceanditsnaturallightmaketheprayerhallasacredspace.Lightpoursdownontheunplasteredbrickwalls,givingitaprimordialcharacter.Warmandrichincolourandtexture,thelightwashesthespace,whichistheessenceofsanctity.

B. Climatic performance

Themosqueiswellresolvedfortheclimate.Brickisagoodinsulator,iscooltothetouch,andprovidesshade.Usingthebrickjalitoallowforairtomovethrough,andrisethroughtheopeningsbetweentheinnersquare“pavilion”andthecylinder,isanexcellentsolution.

C. Response to treatment of water and rainfall

Thehighplinthprotectsthebuildingfromfloodwaters.

Themonsoonrainmayposeaproblemastheopeningsforthehotairtoescapealsoallowinrain.However,itisimportanttokeepcross-ventilationevenwhenitisraining,andtherainseemstohavegooddrainageinthespaceswhereitenters.

D. Environmental response

As themosque isanunpretentiousbuilding inwhat isalreadyaveryfast-growing,urban landscape, theenvironmentalresponseisclear.Itusesnaturalmaterials,inkeepingwithitssimplequality.

E. Choice of materials, level of technology

Thechoiceofmaterialsandthetechnologyselectedfortheprojectisveryappropriate.Thetechnologyusedissuitablefortheenvironmentandthelocalconditions.Itislabourintensiveandusesskillsetsavailablelocally.

F. Response to, and planning for, emergency situations

Thereare threeexits from theprayerhall, the largestcongregational space.Oneexit isat thenorthwestcornerandopensrightontothestreet,theothertwoareinthesouthwestandsoutheastcorners,andbothleadtotheriwaq,orarcade,andthenontothestepsandthesouth-facingstreet.

G. Ageing and maintenance problems

Theselectionof‘timeless’materialswaswellconsideredandthereshouldnotbeaproblemwithageingormaintenance,exceptthatexposedbrickovertime,especiallyinahumidclimate,tendstodiscolour.Ofcourse,exposedbrickisbothanaestheticandeconomicdecision,andthoughthereisacostsavingsnow,atalaterstageitmaybenecessarytopaintorplasterthewalls.

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H. Design features

Thesehavebeendiscussedbefore,andtheexternalaswellasinternaldesignfeatureshavebeencarefullyconsidered.

I. Impact of the project on the site

TheareaofFaidabad,whichhasbeenuntilquiterecentlyfarmland,isnowonthecuspofturningintourbanland.Sowecanassumethatthislandtoowouldhavebeenconvertedintourbanlandrelativelysoon.

J. Durability and long-time viability of the project

Themosqueiswellconstructed,andweseenoreasonwhyitshouldn’tlastwithoutanymajorproblemsformanyyears.

K. Interiordesignfinishing

Theinteriorfinishesaresimpleandresilient,andrelatewelltotheusers.

VII. Users

A. Descriptionofthosewhouseorbenefitfromtheproject

ThecommunityofMuslimswholivearoundtheMosquearereallyquitepoor,withlittleornoinfrastructure,livingontheoutskirtsof thecity.Manydonotevenhaveaccess torunningwater. In thevicinityof theMosquetherearedirtroads,informalsettlementsandsmallsheds.Morerecently,inthelastcoupleofyears(andsince thecompletionof theMosque), a few three-to-four storey,walk-upapartmentbuildingshaveappeared

WevisitedtheMosqueatvarioustimes,andoneachoccasiontherewereafewoldermen,sittingonthehighplinthonthewesternsideofthebuilding.Therewereseveralyoungboystoo,especiallyinthemornings,whentherewereclassesbeingheld.AfewoftheboysrecitedversesfromtheQur’anforus.Werealisedthatthiswasacommunitycentrefortheresidents,aplacetogather,aplacethatwasorderly,clean,andfilledwithlightandgoodventilation,apartfrombeingthespiritualcentreoftheirlives.

B. Response to project by clients, users, community, etc.

What do architectural professionals and the cultured “intelligentsia” think about the project?

Themosquehasnotbeenpublished,andwhenwediscussedthiswithMarinaTabassum,shesaidthatshehasnotevenhaditphotographedprofessionally.However,shehadsentafewimages,drawingsandawrite-uptoKennethFrampton,whohasbeenquiteenamouredoftheprojectandisincludingitintheneweditionofModernArchitecture:ACriticalHistory.

What is the popular reaction to the project?

AweekbeforeIleftforDhaka,IwenttohearMarinaspeakattheSouthAsiaInstituteatHarvard,andshepresentedtheBaiturRoufMosque.Heretooshegotverypositivefeedback,asitisabeautifulbuilding.

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However,becauseofitssiting,andthewayslightbounceswithinthespace,itisabuildingthatneedstobeseeninperson.

OnarrivinginDhaka,manyarchitectsImethadhighpraiseforthebuilding,andmostofthemhadvisiteditinperson.

What do neighbours and those in the immediate vicinity think about the project?

Thecommunity,whomImetandspoketo,wereverycaptivatedbytheMosque.Manylivedandworkedintheneighbourhoodandsaidtheynowmadeitapointtocomeandpraythere.

Istoodatthebackoftheprayerhallduringnamaztowitnesshowpeopleusedthespacesanditgavemeanopportunitytospeaktothemafterwards.Afewpeoplegatheredaroundmetotellmethedifferenceithasmadeintheirlives,andhowproudtheyaretobelongtothisMosque.ThentheyaskedmeifIwouldliketoseetherooffromabove,andtookmetotheterraceoftheapartmentbuildingnextdoor.Needlesstosay,theywereveryenthusiastic,andIsensedthattheyeachknowinsomeway,thattheyhaveaveryspecialplacetoworship.

VIII. Persons Involved

Theclient:Initially,theclientwasSufiaKhatun,butwhenshepassedaway,hergranddaughter,thearchitectMarinaTabassum, tookover.She involved theMosqueCommittee,whichconsistedof leaders from theneighbouringcommunity(theusers),donorsandotherfamilymembers.ProfessorMohammadAbdulHaiheadedtheCommittee.

Thearchitect:MarinaTabassum,whostartedherpractice,MTA,in2005.Sheisthesoleprincipal. Earlier,from1995–2005shewasapartnerinUrbana,apracticealsobasedinDhaka.

Thestructuralengineer:DaudKhalilSarwar.

Themason:SharifulIslam

Design team(inItalicsarepeopleImetandspoketo)

Architect: Marina Tabassum

Juniorarchitects(indifferentphasesfrom2005to2013): • AsaduzzamanChowdhuryTomal • ChowdhuryHysumMohammadNeville • SabrinaAftab • HosnaAraTithi • ShawlySamira • SadiaAfroze • Hassan Mohammad Rakib

Structuralengineer:DaudKhalilSarwar(hewasnotinthecountrywhenIwasthere).

Electricalengineer:MohammadRafiqulIslam

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Construction team

Siteengineer:Bazlur Rahman(heplayedanimportantroleincreatingaconnectionwiththelocals,managingconstruction,procuringmaterialsetc.)

Brickandconcretework:Shariful Islam,brickmason

Terrazzo,tileandfloor:Mohammad Esharul

Client: • Mrs.SufiaKhatun(donatedthelandand2’500’000BDTtoinitiatetheproject) • ProfessorMohammadAbdulHai(HeadoftheMosqueCommitteeandtreasurer)

• Zulfiqer Ali Hyder (Memberof theMosqueCommittee.Hewasresponsibleforarrangingfundsfromdifferentsources.Hekeepsingoodcommunicationwiththelocalsandtakesactiveinterestinupliftingtheconditionofthecommunity)

• SabinaNaser(Shehelpedinraisingfundfromfamiliesandfriends,andisalsoactivelyinvolvedwiththelower-incomefamiliesinthelocalityhelpingthemwiththeirlivelihood).

MosqueStaff: TheMosque runswith fundcollectedonamonthlybasis from the localcommunityand familiesof the

client.Everyfamilypays500BDTmonthly to theMosquefund.With this fund,staff remunerationandmaintenancecostsarepaid.At timesduringRamadanandother religiousoccasions,somedonationsarereceivedwhichhelpwithmajormaintenanceworkslikefixingthewaterpump,theannualcleaningofthebrickwalls,floorsaftermonsoon,etc.

• Imam:Dwin Islam(headoftheMosque)PaidfromMosquefund • Muazzin:Jahirul Islam(callsforprayer)Voluntaryservice • Teacher:Hafez Monir Hossain(instructingthechildreninlessonsfromtheQur’an)PaidfromMosque

fund • Khadem:Abul Kalam(thecleanerandmaintenancestaff)PaidbyMarinaTabassumArchitects.

IX. Bibliography

ListofPublications

A. Papers/Publications

‘Masjid - Selected Mosques from the Islamic World’ byAzimAAziz,ATSAArchitects,Malaysia;Firstedition,June2015.

B. Media Reports

Nonesofar.

Nondita Correa MehrotraMay 2016

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B A N G L A D E S H

BAY OF BENGAL

Dhaka

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SOUTH ELEVATION0 1m

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The mosque is built on the northeast limits of the city, and surrounded by low-cost simple structure buildings and small appartment blocks in more recent constructions.

The one element that dominates built form in Dhaka is the high plinth to prevent floodwater from entering the structure.

The riwaq, or colonnade (left), and the ablution area (right) use the additional depth allocated by the cylinder off-centred on the south and east-facing sides.

The mosque is a perfect square that sits on a high plinth. It allows people to sit and talk and creates a separation between the sacred site and the busy street.

Using the brick jali to allow for air to move through, and rise through the openings between the inner square “pavilion” and the cylinder, is an excellent solution to solve climatic issues.

The prayer hall, a column-free space supportd by eight concrete columns, is reflective space. With no views out, all light is from above, that comes down and bathes the brick walls.

A gap in the brick wall denote the direction of the qibla, and then splays it so that, during worship, people don’t get distracted by the sight lines onto the street, but see instead the sunlight bouncing off the thickness of the wall.

The monsoon rain may pose a problem as the openings for the hot air to escape also allow in rain. However, it is important to keep cross-ventilation even when it is raining, and the rain seems to have good drainage in the spaces where it enters.

2016 on site review report - cloud object storage

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