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• 1 2021-04-15T15:14:11-07:00 Sancaklar Mosque 20 plain 2023-01-26T11:51:20-08:00

  "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills." (Al-Quran 24:35)

  An important aspect of islamic architecture is its iconoclasm (due to a fear of falling into idolatry) and thus is predominantly characterized by small elements (1). According to the Quran, the only thing that is required for a mosque to function as such is that it be a shaded and clean place with a focus on Mecca (2). Eschewing traditionalism, Emre Arolat Architects embraced a fundamental approach through an austere choreography of light and space “free from cultural burdens” (3). Its unassuming exterior integrated within the prairie hills and the prayer hall located beneath the earth was inspired by the Cave of Hira near Mecca. There, the prophet Muhammad had his first vision and received the Quran, the direct word of God. Arolat wanted to showcase the tension between man-made and nature and aimed to represent the purest form of light and matter (4).
  
  The courtyard opens up to a spiral of steps embedded into the hillside leading down to a lit entrance. Other natural elements such as the reflecting pools marks is a clear boundary between the chaotic world outside. The serene atmosphere prepares visitors to enter the spiritual dimension of prayer.The dim cave-like interior is lit by yellow LED strips lining the concrete steps that dramatizes and contrasts the receding sequence of shallow hexagons embedded in the ceiling. This seemingly abstract geometrical ceiling serves to mirror the steps above as a gentle reminder of the outside world. The artificial light and dark stone starkly contrast the natural light seeping in from the skylight on the south wall. The skylight is strategically placed to run along the qibla wall which faces the direction of Mecca and of prayer (5). Concrete beams that support the skylight are cut so that segments of light change throughout the day bringing an element of life to the space. The mihrab (the niche denoting the direction of the Kaaba) is defined by a beam of light rather than as an ornate portal. Adjacent to the mihrab, a spill of semicircular steps denotes the minbar from which the Imam leads prayers. Imam Ali Elmaci appreciates the architect’s effort to hone the building to its essentials. “There are no distractions to the worshippers. You have a closer, more peaceful relationship with the Creator” (6). The only sign of ornate exuberance is the calligraphy (character “waw”) that glows from the “infinity” black wall--its bold letters done in clear glass and lit from behind. The elegant use of contrasting artificial light paired with the religious significance of directionality accentuates the portal of daylight pouring in from Mecca. To pray here is as if to pray outdoors, immersed in nature, alluding to a form of worship once practiced during the time of Muhammad, but since forgotten in the modern world. In its evident reciprocity with nature and topography, Sancaklar Mosque refers to this immemorial and deeply resonant act.

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  1. Clifford A. Pearson. “Sancaklar Mosque.” Architectural Record, May 16, 2014. https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/7977-sancaklar-mosque.
  2. Hakim, Negar. “Mosque Architecture Past and Present.” Sacred Buildings, 2008, 46. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-8276-6_3.
  3. Emre Arolat Architects. “Sancaklar Mosque | EAA-Emre Arolat Architecture,” 2013. https://emrearolat.com/project/sancaklar-mosque/.
  4. Ibid.
  5. Hakim, Negar. “Mosque Architecture Past and Present.” Sacred Buildings, 2008, 47. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-8276-6_3.
  6. Clifford A. Pearson. “Sancaklar Mosque.” Architectural Record, May 16, 2014. https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/7977-sancaklar-mosque.