Almost a decade after collaborating with Arch. Mohamed Amer, on the Grand Hassan Sharbatly Mosque in New Cairo, Arch. Amer approached me again in 2015 for a second collaboration, also on a mosque, this time in 6th of October.
Arch. Amer came up with the concept, while I handled the Design development, 3D experimentation, up until design approval, and was in charge of overseeing the production of the basic set of Construction Drawings.
The mosque tries to blend the Islamic Heritage with contemporary design inspirations, making use of huge glass surfaces to channel natural light inside the prayer hall.
The Plan is derived from the Islamic Octagram (Eight-Pointed Star) known as the Rub el Hizb, is an Islamic symbol, represented as two overlapping squares. It is a feature derived directly from the holy Qur’an.
The star is utilized as a form generator, thus it’s main body is used as prayer halls, and the 8 surrounding triangles are utilized to house the mosque’s other functions: various
entrances, washing rooms, storage, and the Imam’s quarters.
The strong angles of the form spills out and continues as form generator in the landscape, thus providing the project with a strong sense of unity, and a flow between indoor and outdoor.
Project name: Sheikh Zayed Mosque (Unnamed yet)
Location: 6th of October City, Cairo
Status: Under Construction
Project Area: approx. 1400 m2
