On behalf of Teradol villagers Md. Tofayel Ahmed Chowdhury
By realigning our sense of creativity with the creative principles of the universe, perhaps Architects can contribute to the healing of the Earth and achieve a relationship between manmade and natural world that is mutually enhancing. In designing a new mosque for Teradol community at Beyani Bazar, Sylhet, Nirmanik Architects sought to demonstrate the role of Architects as stewards of God’s creation while translating the eco-theological perspective into a tangible, realistic, metaphoric architecture that corresponds to the spiritual needs of the local community and leads inexorably towards a renewed relationship between Creator and His Creation - Editor
|from the Architect |
Many of my contemporaries may criticize that the modern Islamic architecture should be done to the exclusion of its symbolic feature (dome, arch). But I couldn’t exclude them when I saw too much emotions and feelings about those among the villagers. Such symbolic features are often associated with strong sense of identity and visual metaphors ; for instance when we see an arch, dome and minaret we create a mental image of a mosque. As an architect I’m always respectful to user’s faith, perception and priority, so I thought if I would use those symbolic features, but also making them special so it will become more acceptable to the villagers.
To me, it’s not fair to leave a box of carbon in such a beautiful natural setting. So I made an alliance between nature & building. By designing large openings and apertures, I did not restrict the natural air to flow through. The filtered light coming from the split-dome on top and screen walls on sides all together creates a spiritual ambiance which also works as the means to sense the Creator’s creation. I also kept in mind that, this is a very straightforward approach to comply with the utilitarian and spiritual aspects of Islamic architecture.
Last but not least, I used local materials (brick mainly) & local masons to build the structure to create sense of ownership among the community people.