Gulshan Central Masjid

Beginning    

Probably the first Masjid design in my life. In late 1970 design competition held for Gulshan Masjid Complex on 20.7 bigah of land. Justic Abdul Jabbar Khan that period was president of Gulshan Central Masjid ex speaker of Pakistan National Assembly. Probably he was the founder at this Masjid. Capt. Nurudahas a businessman was General Secretary.

We won the Award 

DESCRIPTION: 3 Story Masjid with 12 nos pyramid shape dome on central atrium with one Minar. Main masjid initially 120’-0” x 60’-0“Second phase 120’-0” x 64’-0” with triple height atrium of 60’-0” x 64’-0”. West side of masjid adjacent to Mehrab Atrium height 42’0” was interrupted (intervene) by a bridge behind Mehrab against our design. Our will Khatib of the masjid said 2 – row of Musullis should be behind imam not only in ground floor also on other floors. Some dome of pyramid provided glass in one side for light. Initially only two stairs provided. One is inside the Minar, later other staid added.one for women’s prayer hall with lift. Main prayer hall 120’-0” x 124’-0”. Walkaway of 15’-0” width provided for entry to the main masjid of 5520 SFT a green courtyard. Walkway of 10’-0” height wall meets the entry veranda at 30’-0” width with 15’-0” height /area 2650 sft the entry to the main masjid with height at 20’-0”.

One Story block in both south and north side for ablution, toilet and office space. Total 6870 Musullis can pray at a time inside masjid. Varanda and walkway East side from masjid to main road huge space for Eidgah. Prayer time used as temporary parking space. North West side of masjid has 6 storied apartment building for rent purpose, Another two storied building for parking, Staff accommodation. Small two building for madrasa and library. Newly buildings constructed, one for office and toilet facility and one for clinic for free treatment and treasury center.

Land with 20.7 bigah of land situated center of Dhaka city. Their valuable land demand others facilities with 

 Much bigger prayer space with parking. Situated in the center of Gulshan area, Rich man area required huge parking facilities with research and educational facilities. Conference, Workspace and meeting facilities with staff accommodation and other facilities, A masterplan needed to fulfill the requirements.

MASTER PLAN & EXTENTION OF MASJID:

Phase wise extension of masjid in three side north south & west. So, no obstruction or disturbance of Musullis for prayer. For that no extension in front side that is east side. Purposed extension embraces the existing Masjid from three side with 5 story Masjid with 2 basements for parking. 274 no car parking in 2 basement floor of masjid another 495-car parking from convention hall, Research Center and residential accommodation interconnected with each other in parking level. To avoid rush specially in prayer time all parking level exit and enter from surrounding four side road of masjid complex. Finally, there will be no surface parking. After extension total area of masjid 2,66,740 SFT with capacity 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 the front Eidgah up to 30,000.

Annex block on northern side ground floor for ablution and toilet .1st floor for office of president, secretary and accountant, maintenance general, meeting and conference & library. 2^nd floor for archive, exhibition space and Islamic research center. Total area 26,200 sf t. 

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

12 story residential block with 2 basements on the north-west side of the complex mainly accommodates staff of the masjid and professors 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 be entirely utilized providing parking in basement floors. Grand entry gate with boundary wall shape and flavors with main masjid and propose walking from gate to the masjid with fountain, water fall and landscape. It will create a divine and pleasant feeling when entering to the main masjid for prayer.

Concept: 

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

More than 20 bigha of land in the center of Dhaka city specially in the area of rich people gave up a unique opportunity to provide open space with grandness.

Entirely the side of g=huge space which is used only two times in a year for Eidgah. passing through fountain and creepers, flowers and waterfall. Then passing courtyard with covered walkway and green courtyards open to sky then loftier verandas then enters the grand space od masjid. Thus, passing from open space to semi open space then close space of prayer hall. 

Mentally and physically prepare us for prayer. Gradually we are preparing to submit ourself to Allah.

Form: 

Used od half triangle and half circle create unconditional feature of character on the main façade. Column attached Fin with triangular form both vertically and horizontally with half circle opening in the front play light and shade and create a different feeling between outer space and inner space. 

Islamic architecture dominated by arch, circle and triangle. Play of triangle and circle both horizontally and vertically and angularly gives a different type of form and character in façade.

Done here, smaller signs with series in triangular form not conventional type So, it gained a different type of façade with different form and space. Not like conventional type.