Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA

Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Interior Photography, Brick, ColumnRed Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Exterior PhotographyRed Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Interior PhotographyRed Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Exterior PhotographyRed Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - More Images+ 16

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  8000 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Lead Architect: Kashef Chowdhury
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Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Interior Photography, Brick, Column
Courtesy of URBANA - Shakil Ibne Hai

Text description provided by the architects. Inspired by the simplicity of the first mosque in Islam, the mosque in Madina, the Red Mosque takes on a true pavilion form. An array of large six metre tall ‘windows’ let in a welcome breeze, obviating the need for air-conditioning in a climate where summers can get very hot. A shallow body of water encircles the pavilion, separating it from the adjacent garden and plaza while engaging micro-climatic cooling.

Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of URBANA - Shakil Ibne Hai
Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Image 19 of 21
Ground Floor Plan
Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Interior Photography, Brick
Courtesy of URBANA - Shakil Ibne Hai

The concept of freeness continues to the structure itself: The roof is formed of a series of slabs separated by gaps of light and held in place by columns branching out like trees to hold adjacent sections. In straight perspective, these appear to form arches - a subtle reference to traditional examples, not unlike the old mosque to its west. The slabs rise and bulge at the centre to form an ovoid form, giving a larger central space. Bathed in light, the tall scale of the interior brings in the colors of adjacent greens as well the reddish brown of the older structure.

Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Interior Photography, Column
Courtesy of URBANA - Shakil Ibne Hai

The mosque owes its success to the sympathetic support of its sponsor, Nasrul Hamid MP. While his brief to the architect was simple - to save the 200 year old mosque on site built by his forefathers - it is his long and unerring support that made it possible to experiment and find appropriate economical structural and construction solutions. Thus was it possible to fabricate the formwork of the ‘tree-like’ columns at site, by local craftsmen using simple manual techniques.

Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of URBANA - Shakil Ibne Hai
Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Image 20 of 21
Section

A team led by Prof. Abu Sayeed Ahmed restored the old mosque, documenting each step of the process. Through research, they were able to return the structure to how it would stand two centuries ago.

Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Interior Photography
Courtesy of URBANA - Shakil Ibne Hai

In an area where there is high levels of pollution, noise and visual chaos, the mosque and its environs are conceived as a sanctuary of peace and simplicity. Palette of materials is limited: Exposed red concrete for the entire structure and local red terrazzo for floors. The open spaces are articulated unambiguously, leaving generous spaces for the gathering of friends or simply for the mind to rest.

Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of URBANA - Shakil Ibne Hai

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Project location

Address:Keraniganj Upazila, Bangladesh

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Red Mosque / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA" 18 Apr 2021. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/960201/red-mosque-kashef-chowdhury-urbana> ISSN 0719-8884

Courtesy of URBANA - Shakil Ibne Hai

孟加拉红色清真寺 / Kashef Chowdhury - URBANA

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