ABRAR EHSAN NIHAL

17308022

Mayor Mohammad Hanif Jame Mosque

The Mayor Mohammad Hanif Jame Mosque is located next to the Azimpur graveyard in Lalbagh, it is a
threshold space inspired by the Azam Shah Mosque built by the Mughals in the Lalbagh Fort. According to Ar.
Rafiq Azam. Mayor Mohammad Hanif Jame Mosque creates a space that acts as a threshold between the
chaotic frenzy of life and the serene certainty of death and the project's aim is to connect the celestial and
terrestrial in a systematic and poetic way.

Like other projects of him there is some special aspects considering the climate and context such as the
shaan, minaret, brick jaali work, mushroom shaped columns-these made the mosque more rich and
contextual.

The Shaan
The mosque acts as a window offering views from both sides, the road to the south offers a glimpse into the
bustling life of the living, while the north side offers a glimpse of the resting place of the dead. A key feature
derived from the Mughal mosque in Dhaka was the "Shaan" - a type of large opentosky terrace attached to the
main hall to the east of the entrance. This Shaan
serves the additional 500 devotees, especially
meetings during Jummah holidays) or any other
special occasion. On occasions, the Shaan serves as
a social center for the local community.

Pul-Sirat
The northern glass bridge represents the "PulSirat"
and connects the upper levels of the main building
parallel to the cemetery and creates a cinematic
framework in the appreciation of the deceased and
life. The south wall of the bridge consists of partially
satined glass on which a "Sura" / prayer is written,
while the north side is more open to allow a clear
view of the graveyard.
The Mimbar
The ceiling and the floor along the west wall are made of glass or frosted glass. This design does not providea
"Mehrab", a small niche cut out of the wall for the Imam, a position of religious leader, to sit when leading
prayers. Instead, the new design features a mimbar in the middle that symbolically assigns the entire glass
part of the floor to the Imam and symbolizes his importance. Outside of prayer times, benches and books are
available for everyone on the glass floor so that anyone can enjoy underneath the skylight.

Mushroom Columns

As a structural system, the mushroom column was used in the

main prayer hall of the mosque. Instead of traditional cylinders,
these columns are shaped like trees with trunks that develop
into concrete canopies that hold the slabs above them, creating
a forest-like environment. the forest presents a mix of natural
and artificial lighting to create an exhilarating experience.

Jaali-Geometry-Ventilation

The building east of the bridge contains the women's prayer

room on the upper floor and the administration team
quarters with the washroom on the ground floor.
Traditionally, believers washed themselves in water
fountains, whereas today faucets are used. both faucets and
a small water basin so that followers can choose between
comfort and tradition. Part of the roof over the pool is left
open to allow natural light and ventilation and to maintain a
land connection between rain and sky.

The Minaret

Back to the southwest corner of the mosque, the "minaret" / tower features a modern rectangular design.
Traditionally, a "muezzin," the person who calls believers to prayer, climbed the top of the minaret for calls to
prayer, but the minaret of this mosque has built-in speakers at the top so that the muezzin can conveniently
use a microphone from below. This frees up space inside the tower so that it can be used as an elevator shaft
for those who need it. This choice of design allows the minaret to maintain its traditional function while giving
it new functions to improve comfort and accessibility.