THE 3 MAIN MOSQUE TYPOLOGIES IN BRITAIN Before we progress into the first mosque in Britain, it is important to understand the three different mosque typologies: 1. House conversion mosques are former houses, generally terraced typology that has undergone some internal and occasionally exterior changes to create better use of space – removal of walls, doors, or even corridors. 2. Similarly, non-domestic conversions are mosques that have replaced former warehouses, halls, churches, and even pubs. The extent of building work and changes vary according to the previous use of the building. Some require minimal work, whereas other conversions may involve extensive changes to the floor plans. 3. The purpose-built mosque is one that has been designed and constructed from the ground up as a completely new building - a mosque. As there is no official database nor a collective that accurately lists all of the mosques in Britain, “the best estimate is in the region of 1,500. Of which, approximately 200 are purpose-built, the rest being either converted houses or other non-residential conversions”. (Saleem, 2012-2018).
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