Gulshan Central Masjid

3 STORY GULSHAN CENTRAL MASJID (AZAD MOSJID)

At Gulshan Avenue Dhaka 1212

CLIENT: Gulshan Central Masjid & Eidgah Society

DESIGN ARCHITECT   : MesbaUl Kabir.

ARCHITECT         : Harun Ur Rashid

Project Coordinator   :Mijanur Rahman Khan

Engineer            :  Samsul Alam

Area of Existing Masjid : 56,400 SFT

Area of Extension     : 2,66,740 SFT

Area Of Land         :6.9 Acre

Beginning    

This Iconic Masjid was the first Masjid design in my life.In late 1970, a design competition was held for Gulshan Masjid Complex, on 20.7bigah of land. During that period, Justic Abdul Jabbar Khan, the ex-speaker ofPakistan National Assembly, was president of Gulshan Central Masjid. He was thefounder of this Masjid. Capt. Nurudahas, a businessman, was General Secretary. We won the Award

DESCRIPTION:

3 Story Masjid, with 12 nos of pyramid shaped dome incentral atrium and one Minar. Initially, the main part of the masjid ( theprayer hall) was constructed with an area of 120’-0” x 60’-0“. In the second phase,it was extended to 120’-0” x 124’-0”, with a triple height atrium of 60’-0” x64’-0”. On the west side , adjacent to the Mehrab Atrium, the massive height of42’0” was interrupted (intervene) by a bridge behind the Mehrab against our design. The Khatib of the masjid said 2 – row ofMusullis should be behind the Imam, not only in ground floor, but also on otherfloors. Some of the glass pyramid domes are provide on one side for light.Initially only two stairs were provided. One is situated inside the Minar, andthe other is next to the ablution. Later, during the 1^st extension, otherstairs were added, one for women’s prayer hall with a lift, and another at theopposite end. Surrounding a 5,520 SFT green courtyard, a walkaway of 15’-0”width has been provided as entry to the main masjid. This 10’-0” heigh walkway meetsa 30’-0” wide veranda, which is 15’-0” heigh and has a 2,650 sft area. Thisverandah acts as the entry to the main masjid with height at 20’-0”.

Single storied blocks in both south and north side areallocated for ablution, toilet and office space. Total 6870 Musullis can prayat a time inside the masjid. The Varanda, walkway and the open to sky space onthe east side of the masjid till the main road, there is a huge space for Eidgah.During normal prayer time, this space is used as temporary parking space. NorthWest side of masjid has 6 storied apartment building for rent purpose, Anothertwo storied building is there for parking and staff accommodation. There aretwo small buildings for madrasa and library. In addition, there are newlyconstructed buildings, one for office and toilet facility and one for clinicfor free treatment and treasury center.

This 20.7 bigah land, is situated in the center of Dhakacity, in Gulshan area, which is an elite area and is surrounded by upper-classresidence and amenities serving them. With the growing number residences andamenities, this project requires a much bigger prayer space, massive parkingfacilities, conference, workspace and meeting facilities with staff accommodation,research and educational facilities and other facilities, A masterplan is inprocess to fulfill these requirements.

MASTER PLAN & EXTENTION OF MASJID:

The proposed extension of the masjid is being planned inphases to avoid obstruction or disturbance of Musullis for prayer. The extensionswill be done in north, south & west sides and there will be no extension infront side, that is, east side.

Proposed extension embraces the existing Masjid from threeside with 5 story Masjid with 2 basements for parking. 274 no car parking in 2basement floors of masjid another 495-car parking from convention hall,Research Center and residential accommodation interconnected with each other inparking level. To avoid rush specially in prayer time all parking level exitand enter from surrounding four side road of masjid complex. Finally, therewill be no surface parking. After extension total area of masjid 2,66,740 SFT withcapacity of 18,764 Musullis can pray within the masjid at a time. In jummah,Eid and other Special Occasion Capacity of Musullis can increase by using thefront Eidgah up to 30,000.

The Annex block on the northern side of the ground floor is allocatedfor ablution and toilet .1st floor, shall hold the for the offices of the president,secretary and accountant, maintenance general, meeting and conference &library. The 2^nd floor is for the archive, exhibition space andIslamic research center. Total area of the Ablution structure is 26,200 sf t.

Adjacent to the main road, on north east side of the complex,a 2 Story convention center with basement will accommodate the work staff,Cultural and religious exchange program, meeting, symposium, lecture, educational course,Exhibition space, gallery etc. This structure can also be considered forcommercial short-term programs. Area of Convention center 95,000 SFT.

12 story residential block with 2 basements on thenorth-west side of the complex mainly accommodates staff of the masjid andprofessors and teachers of the Islamic

Research Center Area of total 1,20,00 SFT.

Eidgah a cast green space from main entry to masjid will beentirely utilized providing parking in basement floors. Grand entry gate withboundary wall shape and flavors with main masjid and propose walking from gateto the masjid with fountain, water fall and landscape. It will create a divineand pleasant feeling when entering to the main masjid for prayer.

Concept:

After independence 1971, gradually Dhaka City become verycongested. Condition become so acute that we were suffering due to lack of openspace lack of greeneries, lack of trees lack of open sky lack of pure air. Dueto overcrowded we have to minimize the scale of everything thus we were losing thegathering of any space.

More than 20 bigha of land in the center of Dhaka cityspecially in the area of the rich and elite, gives a unique opportunity toprovide open space with grandness.

Upon entering the premise through the pedestrian walkwayfrom the front entry, a huge open space is provided as the Eidgah, and is usedonly two times a year. Passing through creepers, flowers and waterfall we comeacross the ablution fountain in front of the entry to masjid corridor. Thiscorridor surrounds the open to sky green courtyard and acts as a walkway-cum-prayer space. The covered walkway connects the Eidgah to the elevated verandah,which is the threshold of the main prayer hall, which stands with imposing height.Thus, passing from open space to semi open space then close space of prayerhall.

Mentally and physically, this prepares us for prayer.Gradually we are preparing to submit ourself to Allah.

Form:

Use of half triangle and half circle create unconditionalfeature of character on the main façade. Column attached Fins with triangleforms both vertically and horizontally with half circle opening in the front.This creates a play of light and shadow and evokes a different feeling betweenouter space and inner space.

Here, Islamic architecture is unconventionally dominated by arches,circles and triangles. Play of triangles and circles, horizontally andvertically gives a different type of form and character in façade.

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