Abbey Mills London, Building, Images, Design, West Ham, Architecture, Picture London Mosque building by Mangera Yvars Architects, England, UK e-architect			World Architecture : index Architecture News World Buildings
Abbey Mills - London Markaz : Architecture Information
Location: Abbey Mills, West Ham, east London Site: close proximity to London 2012 Olympic site The project is for a new London Markaz - a multi-functional mosque with a school, offices, dedicated youth facilities, large dining and residential accommodation. Quote from Mangera Yvars Architects re this London Mosque: "In its simplest form the spatial arrangement of a mosque is governed by the Quibla or direction of prayer to Mecca and lines of ‘Saf’ for the congregation. A mosque is a directional field and the first mosques were simply lines drawn in the sand. Our understanding of the mosque is drawn from ‘Hadith’ or interpretation of the Quran which we use as a methodology and the basis for the scheme. From Hadith, a mosque can be anywhere because, at the time of prayer, ‘The Whole Earth is a Mosque’ The Islamic Garden The scheme is organized as an Islamic Garden, transposed onto modern day London. The garden consists of topographical layers of landscapes and activity. We see the Islamic Garden as a spatial narrative setting out the relationship between interior and exterior, or between zones of contemplation, ritual, ablution and congregation and prayer. Dawat: An Invitation to Islam Central to the propagation of Islam is the principle of Dawat or Invitation to Islam. The project has adopted the idea of ‘Dawat’ by physically and metaphorically reaching out to provide large urban connections which invite people into the building from West Ham station, The Greenway and beyond. The Campus The multiple functions of the Markaz suggest highly adaptable space. The layout of the scheme avoids compartmentalizing activity by setting up zones where programs merge and overspill. Inflatable and Nomadic space and Islamic Geometry The scheme considers fluctuations in visitors and usage. Spaces can be extended in peak periods through the use of inflatable structures which temporarily cover outdoor areas to provide additional prayer space. Water, Light, Sound and Sustainability Water, light sound and calligraphy are functional and decorative layers which describe the mosque. In the traditional mosque, the water pond in the courtyard is a requirement for abolition. The project is intended to be a prototype for sustainability and will incorporate Wind Turbine Minarets, Tidal Power, CHP and photovoltaic technology." London Mosque design images / information from Mangera Yvars Architects London Mosque Architects : Mangera Yvars Architects London Architect London Buildings Dubai Buildings London Mosque Design : Hackney World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe Comments / photos for London Markaz page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk Edinburgh Mosque London Mosque Building - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt			Key London Buildings: Chelsea Barracks London O2 Arena Swiss Re Building City Hall Building Key Links: Skyscrapers Architecture Studios New Houses London Architects London Architecture