I ran across a project on ArchDaily last week that sparked some interest. Within the world of architecture there are many different characteristics that one can appreciate, and it's those specific characteristics that start to define styles, preferences and our responses towards certain pieces of architecture. One of these characteristics that I gravitate towards sometimes is geometry. I have an affinity for projects with strong geometries simply because they tend to focus on large bold moves that illicit a strong first response, sometimes positive, sometimes negative. It's a strictly formal characteristic but it's what behind those bold geometries that intrigues me to further investigate the project. Unfortunately most of the time I find that the architectural decisions that drive formal geometric decisions ends up being quite superficial, which is always disappointing (unless the geometries are just totally bad ass, then I might be okay with it haha). Anyway, back to the project I saw on ArchDaily...
This project I'm about to talk about is one of strong geometries and that is pretty much the entire project, but I think it works well. The proposal is by a firm I have never heard of called, StudiOZ, and they have conceptually designed an idea for a Turkish Mosque. Historically the Mosque developed into a specific geometric typology: simply a dome placed upon a square form, which symbolically was supposed to represent infinity which also signifies stability. StudiOZ takes this simple idea and recreates it in a very Neo-Classical way, much in the vein of the famed French architect Etinne-Louis Boullee's "Cenotaph for Sir Issac Newton" (as seen below)
As you will see below, StudiOZ just simplified the current plan of a traditional Turkish Mosque and created a very ethereal and contemporary interpretation. Imagine a large sphere enclosed in a transparent patterned box and you have the gist of their design. The structural pattern on the building envelope is supposed to reference ideas of infinity/divinity and the large sphere inside becomes the holy place of prayer much like the domed space inside the traditional mosque. The sphere or circle is a great form to use because it is such an all encompassing form, one that is quite expressive of infinity and calls to the idea of community. The sphere itself is really the only solid element, which protects and privatizes the space within it, whereas the rest of the mosque is transparent and light feeling, much like the feeling most Muslims express when they are visiting Mecca. I think the bold geometries work simply and beautifully, and juxtaposed with the patterning of the outer shell I think it all comes together creating a very dynamic and powerful religious space. Lastly I have to point out the beautiful qualities of light the spaces possess. Of course the lobby space has great light with the structural patterns creating shadows throughout it but it's the tiny little star like apertures in the top of the sphere that allow a star-like light to appear above them, as if the heavens were looking over the space, beautiful. Take a look at the images below and make your own opinions.
(Above Left) Traditional Mosque Plan
(Above Right) StudiOZ's Mosque Plan
(Above) Exterior Rendering
(Below) Interior Renderings
(Above) Section Perspective of Mosque... Check out the light in the prayer sphere, so beautiful!!!
(Above) Structural Details
A project like this most likely won't get built, but we have been seeing more and more dynamically bold architecture getting built (most of it crap) so there could be hope that this project could go beyond the drawing board. I appreciate it's simplicity in design and its presence within its historical context, major thumbs up StudiOZ!
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