The Architecture of the Mosque, an Overview and Design Directions

A very large number of mosques have been built during the past twenty-five years throughout the world, commissioned by a variety of clients ranging from governments to private individuals. What follows is a synopsis and a preliminary overview of these buildings, which examines the type in its functional and formal aspects. This work was done in conjunction with Renata Holod of the University of Pennsylvania. 1 The core of the material gathered is based on first-hand studies and questionnaires sent to architects and clients, and work brought to our attention by colleagues. The questionnaires, which are based on the documentation process set up by the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, requested and obtained detailed information on the constructional history and economics of each project, the evolution of the design concepts and the architect’s statement.