by Nondita Correa Mehrotra
2016 On Site Review Report
Bait Ur Rouf Mosque
Architect Marina Tabassum Architects
ClientSufia Khatun
Design2005-2006
Completed2012
Dhaka, Bangladesh
4697.BAN
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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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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.