MOSQUE ARCHETYPES
To understand the architectural language of mosques, we must draw inspiration from historic mosque types. Rudolph Stagers makes mentions in his book, ‘Sacred Buildings: A Design Manual, that throughout history, “four basic types of mosques have arisen in the Muslim world: The Arab Hypostyle, the Persian Four-iwan, the Indian Three Dome, and the Turkish Central Dome mosque.” (Stagers, 2008). If we were to subtract all of the regional and cultural external architectural characteristics from these four historic mosque types, we are left with one common feature – “an open space that is clean, in which people can face Mecca and offer their prayers.” (Salem 2012) The four types mentioned also share another common feature, a Sahn (courtyard) - open spaces either towards the entrance or the center of the complex. These open spaces are often accompanied by a small water pool or fountain which is commonly used for wudu, the cleansing ritual before prayer (Petersen, 1996).
As we proceed inside a mosque, they all share a mutual theme - a clean open prayer space orientated towards the Qiblah (direction of prayer) with numerous amenity spaces within proximity. Within the main prayer hall itself, a mihrab (niche) is positioned in the centre of the Qiblah wall. To the right of the mihrab a mimbar (raised deck) is placed. This acts as a pulpit or a raised platform for the Imam to stand on and, deliver sermons and reminders. To a Muslim worshipper, a mosque is more than just a 17
