Shortlisted for the 2021 Stirling Prize, Cambridge Central Mosque is a truly innovative building, and one that is sustainable and socially and architecturally integrated into – and respectful of – its neighbourhood. As well as discussing its design and construction, this book focuses on the creation of a unique place of worship for a community. Setting out historic precedents and influences, it highlights how the mosque breaks new ground in terms of Islamic and English religious architectural traditions and how it reflects the ongoing debates on Islam and Britishness, as well as Islam and tradition.
The book first sets out how the site and the architects, Marks Barfield Architects, were selected, then goes on to discuss the development of the mosque’s concept, structure and key design aspects, including the significance of geometry to Islam and the defining feature of the building: its timber structure evoking the English fan vaulting used nearby at King’s College. There is also a useful technical section on the many sustainable features of the building and its low carbon design and the book concludes with a discussion of the day-to-day life of the mosque, including interviews with the imam and members of the local community who come from all over the world, highlighting the impact the mosque has had for the wider Cambridge community and beyond.