Projects

A holistic building

The Preston Mosque, Lancashire Preston, United Kingdom

The Preston Mosque, Lancashire

Preston, United Kingdom

A holistic building

Cultural
2022
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Situated in Lancashire, in the northwest of the United Kingdom, Preston is a city surrounded by a rich, green landscape. The site for the new mosque is located at the western end of Urton Lane, on the northern fringe of the city, nestled within a wooded area along the Guild Wheel, a route that connects the city’s historical landmarks.

Formal Archetypes and the Symbolism of Space

The site’s pronounced slope grants the mosque an elevated position, offering a majestic view of the surrounding main streets. This strategic placement enhances its visibility, establishing a strong presence within the urban landscape.
Throughout history and across cultures, mosques have embodied a geometric and structural harmony, defined by a precise relationship between the prayer hall and the open-air courtyard. Traditionally, the courtyard—an oasis of light and contemplation—precedes the prayer hall, symbolizing hospitality and marking the transition from the secular to the sacred. Drawing from this tradition, our design elevates both the prayer hall and its courtyard to the heart of the building, creating a suspended sacred space that defines and organizes all programmatic functions.

Resonance Between Technicality and Vernacular

The project harmonizes with the site’s natural topography, positioning the building at its highest point. This strategic placement frees up space beneath the structure, accommodating parking and access routes directly connected to the road. Resting on the plateau, the building extends on stilts as the terrain slopes downward, with structural columns seamlessly integrated into the parking grid. Access is provided at ground level through dedicated circulation cores beneath the building, leading to the first floor, where all mosque functions are centralized. This layout consolidates the entire program on a single level while reinforcing a strong urban presence.

Seamless Transitions: A Dialogue Between Walls and Canopy

A Prayer Hall Bathed in Light
At the heart of the project, the prayer hall soars across three levels, wrapped in ochre-hued concrete veils. Above, a coffered ceiling crowned with a skylight diffuses a soft, spiritual zenithal light throughout the space. A surrounding gallery enables fluid circulation without disturbing the sanctity of prayer. The mihrab, the focal point of orientation toward Mecca, is crafted from translucent white alabaster marble, casting a gentle, harmonious glow as it reflects the light.

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