Police Mosque – El Darassah


Facts and Figures

  • Client
    M.O.I
  • Location
    Cairo, Egypt
  • Area
    1,847,000 meter square
  • Year of Completion
    2004
  • Firm role
    Design and construction supervision.

The shape of the mosque is a huge extruded elliptical Dome, as well as the plan which has a shape of an ellipse. The challenge was to design a mosque on an irregular land, in order to allow the maximum usage of the site area. While the second challenge was orienting the mosque towards the Qiblah. In addition to the mosque being a significant node every Friday. The design created a landmark to the neighborhood that shapes the community of El-Darrassa. Nonetheless of the Event halls which could accommodate more than 300 people, by that not only creating a religious node but as well as a social node to the community.

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The shape of the mosque is a huge extruded elliptical Dome, as well as the plan which has a shape of an ellipse. The challenge was to design a mosque on an irregular land, in order to allow the maximum usage of the site area. While the second challenge was orienting the mosque towards the Qiblah. In addition to the mosque being a significant node every Friday. The design created a landmark to the neighborhood that shapes the community of El-Darrassa. Nonetheless of the Event halls which could accommodate more than 300 people, by that not only creating a religious node but as well as a social node to the community.

Police Mosque in Darrasa: A Fusion of Modernity and Islamic Architecture

The Police Mosque in Darrasa emerges as a striking testament to modern Islamic architecture, seamlessly blending form, function, and cultural significance. The mosque’s design centers around a massive extruded elliptical dome, mirroring the elliptical shape of the plan. Overcoming challenges posed by irregular land, the mosque not only maximizes site usage but also carefully aligns itself with the Qiblah, embodying its role as a central spiritual node every Friday.

Architectural Features:

  1. Extruded Elliptical Dome: The mosque’s defining feature is its grand extruded elliptical dome, a contemporary architectural marvel that serves both form and function. This distinctive design element becomes an unmistakable landmark, shaping the identity of the Darrasa community.
  2. Challenges of Irregular Land: Designing on irregular terrain poses challenges, yet the architects rose to the occasion. The mosque elegantly navigates the landscape, ensuring an optimal layout that harmonizes with the surroundings and maximizes functionality.
  3. Minarets as Dominant Features: Dominant minarets strategically positioned contribute to the mosque’s visual impact. They stand tall, not only signaling the spiritual purpose of the structure but also contributing to its role as a landmark in the neighborhood.

Dual Purpose: Religious and Social Node:

  1. Religious Node: Beyond its primary function as a place of worship, the Police Mosque serves as a significant religious node, drawing the community together every Friday. The elliptical main hall, designed for maximum occupancy, becomes a focal point for congregational prayers.
  2. Social Node: The mosque extends its role beyond religious activities, featuring event halls capable of accommodating over 300 people. This deliberate inclusion transforms the mosque into a social node, hosting celebrations and events, and fostering community engagement.

Functional Layout:

  1. Basement Floor:
    • Security Area
    • Main Storage Area
    • Two Secondary Storage Rooms
  2. Ground Floor:
    • Two Main Halls for Celebrations and Events (Capacity: 320 persons each)
    • Three Secondary Halls (Capacity: 400 persons each)
  3. Mezzanine Floor:
    • Women’s Prayer Area (Capacity: 100 persons)
  4. First Floor:
    • Men’s Prayer Area (Capacity: 450 persons)

Cultural Center Integration:

  1. Versatility for Events: The mosque transcends its religious function, serving as a cultural center equipped for various events and celebrations. This dual-purpose approach positions the mosque as a dynamic space for both spiritual and communal activities.
  2. Cultural Identity: Inspired by modern Islamic architecture, the mosque not only adheres to religious principles but also establishes a cultural identity for the Darrasa community.

In essence, the Police Mosque in Darrasa stands as a harmonious fusion of tradition and modernity, a beacon of architectural brilliance that extends its influence beyond religious practices to become an integral part of community life.