Shifts in Mosque Typologies

Contemporary experiments and Shifts in the design of mosques in Bangladesh 

Introduction 

Bangladesh is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical importance with respect to Islamic architecture. It holds a population over 165 million, where about 90% of the total population are Muslims. This religious majority has well and truly influenced architecture typologies, such as the mosque landscape in the country, with their proliferation and evolution. This paper delves into various mosque typologies in Bangladesh, analyzing Zebun Nessa Mosque which  is a modern reinterpretation of traditional mosque architecture.

Geographical and Historical Context of Mosques in Bangladesh 

Bangladesh is located in the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent, surrounded by India, Myanmar, and the Bay of Bengal. This flat alluvial plain of the Bengal delta has contributed much to its architectural styles, mosque architecture included. Rivers and wetlands in this geographical background form, at large, the general construction techniques and materials used for building mosques. Since clay is found in abundance and stone is scarce, most of the mosques of historical importance were built using brick as the main building material. The construction of the mosques began  with the influx of Muslim rulers at the dawn of the 13th century with the advent of Islam in Bengal. The earliest mosques of the land took the form of very simple structures, mostly built with mud and thatch, largely reflecting local building traditions. As the hold of Islam in this land consolidated, more permanent structures evolved that incorporated features from Persian, Arab, and Indian architectural traditions. The earlier ones were those with simple and unostentatious designs, featuring a rectangular prayer room, a mihrab, and a minaret. Over time, the architecture of mosques in Bangladesh continuously developed as more local elements came into incorporation and moreover adapted to the climatic conditions of this region. Precisely, mosque typology in Bengal developed extensively during the Sultanate period from the 13th to 16th centuries when the predominant use of brick and terracotta ornamentation, along with multiple domes, was witnessed. 

Shifts in design approaches 

The design of mosques have shifted through the Sultanate period, the  Mughal period all through modern times all the way to contemporary experiments. Each one of these developments  represents a particular age in Bengal's history and the influence of different cultural and religious factors.

Sultanate Mosques 

The Sultanate age was a period that witnessed the marking of independent Muslim rule in Bengal. They usually feature a rectangular plan, several rows of domes, and highly detailed terracotta decoration on both walls and mihrabs. One of the essential features of a conventional mosque is the Minaret or tower. : The prayer hall is the central space, usually divided into multiple bays by rows of columns. These columns support a series of small domes or vaults, creating a repetitive spatial rhythm. The use of multiple domes, instead of a single large dome, is a hallmark of Sultanate architecture, driven by the structural limitations of brick masonry. The multiple-domed roof creates a low, horizontal emphasis, contributing to the mosque’s  fortress-like appearance.Key features of the sultanate mosques are usually brick buildings with ornamentation of terracotta, multiple domes 

Mughal Mosques

In the Mughal period new materials like stone and marble were introduced for construction. Mughal mosques often feature a large, central dome, which is a significant departure from the multiple smaller domes of Sultanate mosques. This central dome is supported by a network of arches and smaller domes, creating a spacious, vertically oriented prayer hall. Mughal mosques typically include a large, open courtyard surrounded by arcaded verandahs or colonnades. This courtyard serves as a transitional space between the external environment and the sacred interior, accommodating large congregations. In Mughal mosques, the mihrab is prominently placed on the qibla wall and is usually adorned with intricate inlay work, calligraphy, and sometimes a small niche for religious texts. The qibla wall is richly decorated, featuring a layered, textured appearance that highlights its importance.Mughal mosques typically include a large, open courtyard surrounded by arcaded verandahs or colonnades. This courtyard serves as a transitional space between the external environment and the sacred interior, accommodating large congregations and enhancing the mosque’s monumental presence.

Contemporary Mosques 

In the postcolonial period mosques in the country have developed to take on modern design principles  in accordance with the needs of the Muslim society. Lots of experiments in designing take place where architects are given freedom to design.  Modern mosques prioritize flexibility and openness in their prayer hall design. The use of modern materials such as concrete and glass allows for large, unobstructed spaces that can be adapted for various functions. The prayer hall is often characterized by its open plan, allowing for a fluid and adaptable worship environment. Movable partitions or sliding doors may be used to accommodate varying congregation sizes and events.The concept of the courtyard has evolved in modern mosque design. Some contemporary mosques forgo traditional courtyards in favor of integrated outdoor spaces, such as green roofs, landscaped gardens, or open terraces. These areas serve as contemplative spaces and help to bridge the indoor and outdoor environments. Modern mosque entrances are designed to be welcoming and inclusive, often featuring transparent or semi-transparent materials like glass. This design approach emphasizes accessibility and openness, contrasting with the grand, formal entrances of historical mosques.

Zebun Nessa Mosque

 The Zebun Nessa mosque is located in Dhaka which challenges the traditional mosque design, reworking the type. Designed by studio Morphogenesis, this mosque symbolizes the classical mosque form reinterpreted into contemporary times, allowing for a new spatial configuration while maintaining the root of Islamic architecture. 

Spatial Configuration 

Different from traditional mosques, which are basically organized around a large, open prayer hall, the Zebun Nessa Mosque is designed as a series of interconnected spaces with carefully articulated openings that initiate a sense of contemplation and reflection in the minds of users. It emphasizes a plan with fluid movement from space to space, punctuated with openings framing views across the extended landscape. The prayer hall is the innermost and quietest space in a mosque. Major emphasis is laid on providing natural light; from strategically located skylights and clerestory windows to filter sunrays into space, taking care in their ability to help develop a suitable serene atmosphere. The mihrab has been sensitively integrated in the design without the usual grandeur associated with it in the traditional mosques.The outside expression of the mosque is best described as neat geometric outlines and a choice of materials available locally. The facade is made of brick paying respect to the traditional Bengal materials used in building. For instance, the minaret, usually the most significant architectural feature of a mosque, became simply a thin symbolic construct that, in the Zebun Nessa Mosque served purely as a site identifier, but it is not used to call the worshippers.

The design reinvents traditional Islamic architectural ideals by the use of natural light, and building a relationship between interior and exterior spaces. Among the numerous departures, one is the absence of any grand dome. Although domes are one of the prominent characteristics most mosques exhibit, representing the vault of heaven, Zebun Nessa Mosque takes a flat roof that can quickly go with the surrounding urban fabric.

Affordances and Spatial Justice

Interconnected spaces have brought a communal interaction to this place, while natural light brings calmness and serenity. For example, those characteristics make the mosque friendly and welcoming to all users, whether able-bodied or not. The open nature of spaces and the continuous flow do make these halls functionally more egalitarian, perhaps in keeping with the idea of worship in Islam. In light of this pace of urbanization and the density of population, with its great challenges to designing a mosque as a spiritual structure,.Its design signifies that contemporary architectural practices can be used to create spaces not for the accommodation of only worshippers, but also for their spiritual experience.

Conclusion

 The Zebun Nessa Mosque is an excellent example of the contemporary reinterpretation of mosque architecture. The space, natural lighting, and inclusiveness are set to be the role model for future designs in the country and beyond in mosque design. While this raises a rising challenge in today's fast-urbanizing world, where space is becoming highly inadequate for community uses which are only on the rise with each passing day, the Zebun Nessa Mosque provides solutions to how to create community infrastructure with minimum resources but articulating space to create deeply experiential spaces for the community. 

References

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