Al Gharra Mosque
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" Written by Arch Yousif Alsaeed" Al Gharra` Mosque repelled the overly conventional method of replicating the prophet’s mosque in Al Medinah design. Through harsh aims to abstract the soft essence of the generic concept of “mosque” as a house of Allah – back when it was simple in the days of the prophet Mohammed – by differentiating itself from common local architectural discussion (primarily around ornamented geometrical prayer hall). The project building envelope tops an elevated rocky site in a layout facing Makkah. The surrounding landscape of the building links immediate neighbors on different levels (difference: 7 meters max). The trip towards the mosque goes through curved linear stepped paths to reach the front yard (Sahan), allowing for the option of a direct entrance to the prayer hall or an indirect one for the abolition area. As a result, the building blends within the landscape and contrasts the building to demonstrate the specific religious states of Al Zahir, Taharah, and Al Batin symbolically. Al Zahir - Synergy state between the call and the prayers shown in the contrasting paths cutting through garden trees. Contemplating fallen leaves and fading darkness. Taharah - The state of physical and ritual impurity, to uplift from “Donia” to momentarily seek “Deen”. The mission of silence except for water dripping. Al Batin - Flood of internal prayers state, repulsing against life’s suffering, to reach “Allah” the almighty, mimicking way our prophet “Mohammed” used to do in “first prophet’s mosque in Medinah”. Think about the relationship between natural light and stone - The “Qiblah” Wall. Al Gharra` Mosque's elegant measures continuously tangle light beams telling a tramlines story of relief towards listening to prayers between lines. An asymmetrical form of worshipping persona upon concrete underneath the sun, a moon lunar cast on black stones, and perhaps a touch of an off-white on bricks.
Awards & Recognition
القائمة القصيرة — جائزة عبداللطيف الفوزان لعمارة المساجد اختير مسجد الغراء ضمن القائمة القصيرة لجائزة عبداللطيف الفوزان لعمارة المساجد (الدورة الرابعة، 2020-2023)، من بين 200 مسجد تنافسوا عالمياً، بتحكيم لجنة دولية برئاسة المعماري راسم بدران. Al Gharra Mosque was shortlisted for the Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture (4th cycle, 2020–2023), selected from 200 mosques competing worldwide, reviewed by an international jury chaired by architect Rasem Badran. القائمة القصيرة — جائزة الميثاق للتميز العمراني دخل مسجد الغراء القائمة القصيرة لجائزة الميثاق للتميز العمراني، الدورة الأولى، مسار المشاريع المبنية. Al Gharra Mosque was shortlisted for the Al-Mithaq Award for Urban Excellence, 1st cycle, Built Projects track. القائمة الطويلة — TraMod AWARDS 2023 دخل مسجد الغراء القائمة الطويلة لجائزة TraMod الدولية 2023، ضمن فئة المشاريع الاحترافية المبنية، من بين أكثر من 200 مشروع من 50 دولة. Al Gharra Mosque was longlisted for the international TraMod AWARDS 2023, in the Professional Built Projects category, among over 200 entries from 50 countries. ترشيح ArchDaily — Building of the Year 2024 رُشِّح مسجد الغراء ضمن مسابقة "Building of the Year 2024" على منصة ArchDaily العالمية، مع تغطية مصورة كاملة للمشروع على المنصة. Al Gharra Mosque was a candidate for ArchDaily's Building of the Year 2024, with a full photographic feature published on the platform. في الإعلام | In the Media TraMod TALKS — حوار مع محمد ابراهيم شفيع، أكاديمية TraMod الدولية Design Diary — تغطية مسجد الغراء، Cyril Zammit