BREIF INTRODUCTION

▪ Project: Masjid-e-Haji Abdur Rauf

▪ Location: Malegaon

▪ Built-up: 900 sq m

▪ Architectural team:

Late Noor Aboojiwala, Bakir Zafar and

-Sunil Thanekar.

From lustrous minaret of unique design, outer walls artistically crafted using red bricks and rooftop having ventilation to
suit local environ to class interior and state-of-the art and modern washrooms and wadhu khanas, Masjid Haji Abdul
Rauf is an architectural master piece. Masjid Haji Abdul Rauf, however, because of its design which is quite different
from other mosques in Malegaon of Arabic, Turkish and Mughal architecture.
CONTEXTUALITY AND MATERIALITY

• The red bricks used in the outer wall of Masjid Haji Abdul Rauf
are facade bricks. They are actually fired facing bricks - solid,
durable and practically maintenance-free
Unlike clay bricks, their color does not lose radiance with time .
the mosque has been built as per the African Vernacular
architecture.

• This is African architecture originated in North Africa. It is a

special category of architecture style of North Africa which
later transformed as juxta fusion of Arabian influences. The
domes, arches, spatial buttresses are significant elements in
this transformational style.

▪ The structure responds to Malegaon’s harsh climate of hot-dry summers and cold-dry winters. The main envelope is
wrapped in double-skin masonry cavity walls and hollow clay block insulation for the roof. Controlled openings and
indirect light from the façade and the roof provide comfort. Exposed brickwork follows fine lines with precise junctions
reflecting spirituality of form.
NORTH AFRICAN ARCHITECTURE CURRENT ARCHITECTURE STYLE IN
NEIGHBOURHOOD

Jama masjid
Great mosque of Kairouan

Noorani masjid
ABOUT THE SITE
The plot admeasuring 900 square meters is located in a
developing residential zone of eastern part of Malegaon
with a major road on the west and minor roads on the
north and south sides. In keeping with the endowment
wish, the mosque would become a place for reflection,
spirituality and social gathering (conducive to various
socio economic activities) in years to come. The
emphasis in design would be in translating the basic
functional organization and the symbolic meaning
inherent in Islamic sacral buildings in to a
contemporary vocabulary both in technological and
expressive terms. This would greatly enhance the
quality of life in the environment and also create a
sense of identity with the landmark structure.
 The design incorporates the essential elements of a masjid into a new form articulated as a monolithic
composition featuring a series of cuboids of different sizes accentuated by a minar. The result is a well-
balanced skyline and varying volumes that project changing functions. Indirect natural light through south-
west and north-west corners of the west wall and a diffused light from the dome in the main prayer hall
create an ethereal atmosphere.
THE PLANNING
The plan is aligned to minor roads on the
north and south and the qibla direction on
the west where the major road lies. The
resultant skew houses ablution facilities,
the office and the store on the north-east
and south-east sides. The main prayer
hall and the secondary prayer area
(sehan) are integrated with a semi-
circular open-to-sky waterbody and
plantation court. Entrances from the north
and south create a movement axis which
does not disturb the main prayer hall,
with the former connecting to stairs that
lead to a prayer hall on the mezzanine
level.
 The Plan follows the axis defined by the
direction of “Qibla, with reference to the
location of Kaaba” integrating the main
prayer hall and the secondary prayer area
(sehan) with open to sky semi-circular
water body and plantation court flanked
by areas for ablution and related facilities.

The mosque is characterized by a complex plan

which is aligned to minor roads on north and
south and aligned to qibla direction on the west
where the major road lies. The skew thus created
between street directions and that of qibla is
used to house ablution facilities, office and store
on the north east and south east sides North side
entrance connects to stair which leads to the
prayer hall on the mezzanine floor with separate
ablution facilities. This upper level prayer hall is
reserved for women whenever required. The
south east side of the mezzanine floor is for the
use of the imam of the mosque and visitors.
Section AA
Ground-Floor
-Sahen

First-Floor
-Sahen

Diffused-Light-in-Prayer-Hall
 THE DESIGN
▪ The Design of the structure addresses the harsh climate of Malegaon
which is hot-dry summers and cold dry winters. The main envelop of the
structure is wrapped in double skin masonry cavity walls and hollow clay
block insulation for the roof. Controlled openings and use of indirect light
from the façade as well as the roof provide human comfort level desired in
such climate.

Water body
North – East corner North – West corner

South– West corner

BIBLIOGRAPHY
• https://divisare.com/projects/38053
2-nbz-architectural-consultants-mo
sque-e-haji-abdur-rauf
• https://in.worldorgs.com/catalog/m
alegaon/mosque/haji-abdur-rauf-m
asjid
• https://www.ummid.com/news/2016
/October/27.10.2016/masjid-abdul-
rauf-malegaon-women-freindly.html
• https://youtu.bhttps://
www.indiadesignworld.com/
spotlight-on-religious-spaces-
masjid-e-haji-abdur-rauf-by-nbz-
architectural-consultants/e/
55qXRsq01yQ