
Architects: PT. Urbane Indonesia
Location: Kota Baru Parahyangan, Padalarang, Jawa Barat, Indonesia
Principal Architect: M. Ridwan Kamil
Project Team: Fahry Adhitya
Client: PT. Belaputera Intiland
Site Area: 8,000 sqm
Project Area: 970 sqm
Project Year: 2010
Photographs: Emilio Photoimagination
A mosque is a place of worship for Muslims—a place to kneel, stoop one’s head and pray solemnly. Oftentimes, it is also used to carry out various other religious activities.
The first thing that might catch one’s attention about this mosque in Kota Baru Parahyangan (KBP) is the absence of a dome, which is almost always a quintessential characteristic of mosques. However, the architects have informed that the dome is not a cultural/religious identity, hence not a necessity when it comes to designing an Islamic place of worship.


The architecture of the KBP mosque is unique in that it uses stacked stones as the main façade to create tectonic effect, while embedding Islamic text/calligraphy on the façade as a graphic element and reminder prayer.

The primary shape of the mosque takes the form of a square, which seems the most efficient since Muslims pray in straight rows facing a specific direction or the Qiblah.The structural columns are arranged in such way that the façade seems like it is not supported by any frame. This shape also alludes to Ka’bah, the most important structure in the Islamic world, to which all Muslims’ prayers are directed.

The tall pole-like structure next to the square building form is called the minaret, an important element for mosque. It was used in the past for someone to call out to all Muslims to prayer on top of the minaret whenever prayer time has come. Today, the minaret still serves the same function, except loudspeakers a– used instead. In a way, the minaret has become an icon of mosques; anyone searching for a mosque can one from afar.

With a capacity to accommodate approximately 1,000 people, the mosque is also designed to ‘blend in’ with nature. The stacked stones allow for natural ventilation without the need for air-conditioning. Surrounded by water, the ambient temperature around the mosque will be lower during the hot season. Once inside, the people are able to look out and appreciate the external scenery.
- © Emilio Photoimagination
- © Emilio Photoimagination
- © Emilio Photoimagination
- © Emilio Photoimagination
- © Emilio Photoimagination
- © Emilio Photoimagination
- © Emilio Photoimagination
- © Emilio Photoimagination
- © Emilio Photoimagination
- © Emilio Photoimagination
- © Emilio Photoimagination
- © Emilio Photoimagination
- floor plan
- elevation 01
- elevation 02
- section 01
- section 02
- façade detail 01
- façade detail 02
- façade detail 03
- wall details






















looks good, but i find the sphere across the water a little creepy, like an eye is watching
subhanallah …………………. semoga saya di beri kemampuan seperti beliau ini…
a very peaceful space have been achieved it seems,congrats..however i agree that the sphere is somehow out of the place, in addition it can be problematic theologically. prostating in front of a an object may not be acceptable. Concretization of Allah is a touching subject…Islam is strict about this.
I agree with the sphere comment. Looks strangely like an idol to me
agree.., probably the sphere should be put in somewhere (not in the front of the praying people or in the back) the beautiful nature scenery is enough to show God existance
very imaginative n touching my feel TT, Two Thumbs up!! b^^d
thumbs up really inspiring .
other than the sphere, everything else look so peaceful.. in my opinion its a very nice mosque.
Promoting new imagination of Islamic building..thumbs up!
wohoho…!!
this is owesome!!!! :)
i agree about the sphere. it’s not an object that muslims are facing to, it’s Allah who’s not living in an object, but in everywhere. may be the architect just want to add a symbolystic object, but it may be interpreted wrong by people.
but, beside it, this mosque is marvelous
As urban graphic design this building very nice
Subhanallah… I hope not only design which looks good, because the value of the good quality of a mosque is considered the religious life that made therein in accordance with the Shari’a.
be designed in a different way than other … or a little more could be done on the sparring
The Circle? I think that’s OK, what’s more the circle is perceivable only on drawings, never in real life; except, perhaps, from helicopter(?). The thing is that you’re above/over the tranquil water (you see, water is ubiquitous emblem in West Java). The downside (if there’s any at all), I think, is that inside the mosque you can never see persons in front of you in full detail, there is only silhouettes even the imam during the sermon; one can only hear (his) voice(s), moving dark figures, and feel the breeze(kinda creepy, eh!? btw, the ventilation is superb!) One more thing, though, this mosque is like a dot in space, there’s no leading spatial sequences… All in all, two tumbs up!
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what i like most is the daring change from the usual dome structure found on most mosques to this minimalist modern approach. The interior is very successful in presenting a truely meditative atmosphere which is the essence of true prayer. Thumbs Up
The sphere should be moved to somewhere, because there are some “notion” if can’t say as an opinion, about the writing of Allah and Muhammad inside the mosque.
If the writing object is a surah/ayat as a decoration, I think that is no problem.
That is my comment apart from its design. I love the over all design character, whether if it inspired with tadao/tadao things. We lived in a inspirational world. Nothing could be created without a bunch of inspiration. Thats why we come here, to archdaily, daily.
My attention to this mosque is:
The jamaah could see the khotib while in speech/khutbah. This is nice!
the sphere with the word Allah on it, such banality… remove at once!
We have people who have big heart and want to build mosque in poor places in indonesia. im looking for construction company to deal with.
Thank you
سلام علیکم و رحمةالله و برکاته
وفقکم الله
i think the elevation is so creative specially that the architect use Arabic font , in other hand the main function in any mosque which give the beauty is the dome an minaret, and i think thats the water should be in another place :)