Mosque of Reflection

Historically, the mosque was a centre point of its community. In addition to worship, the mosque provided adaptability in its spaces, and allowed the neighbourhood to appropriate it to its needs. Mosque of Reflection, situated in the City Walk district of downtown Dubai, is the renovation of an existing mosque that references, and encourages, these historical intentions.

The project transforms the existing mosque from a "building for prayer" into a "place for prayer", re-questioning the building elements that are needed for a meaningful praying experience. As a result, the mosque's concrete boundary walls and unnecessary elements are removed, and just two prayer halls are retained. Design renovations to the two prayer halls create an interior flooded with natural light, and an exterior wrapped in semi-translucent, reflective glass. This de-materializes the prayer halls as institutional objects and dissolves their monumentality, while dramatically reducing their imposition upon the surroundings.

The prayer hall volumes are immersed within a garden populated by trees and natural greenery, while using their materiality to reflect the greenery back upon the visitor. The garden acts as an extension of the internal prayer halls and offers additional space for prayer, reading, and personal reflection, while being open to the public throughout the day, rather than just at prayer time. The prayer halls and garden are encircled within an oval riwaq of lightweight, perforated mesh. This defines the sacred spaces inside and creates a buffer from the congestion and commotion of downtown, but without the exclusivity of a concrete boundary wall. With the riwaq's additional library and gallery program complementing the communal space of the garden, the Mosque of Reflection becomes an adaptable asset to its community, one that positions the action of prayer as the icon, rather than the building itself.

Wael Al Awar (Founding partner, Principal)
Kenichi Teramoto (Partner, Principal)