Central Mosque of Prishtina - Gjergj Islami, Deni Klosi, Denada Veizaj, Megi Maria Nikolla

Urban Context: The Central Mosque of Prishtina is a public space that aims to manifest the cultural context of Islam. The mosque itself is a symbolic entity of the whole complex, but the performance of such a building overcomes the limits of religious activity. The structure merges in the urban interface by expanding its activity and impact to the surrounding areas. It is a generator of public activity and socio- cultural cohesion.

The mosque is a reference of orientation. In urban scale it shows the Kiblah direction. The triple dome and the minaret offer the symbolic context and the immediate legibility of the structure. The landmark is determined by the minaret that breaks the disordered silhouette in an elegant approach. The Central Mosque of Prishtina is meant to be a monument of Light and Peace through day and night. The impactoffered by the mass of the building is gradually translated into a soft luminescent sensation. Architectural scheme: The proposal is interpreting the tectonic of massive stone walls, characteristic of the traditional “Kulla” houses.

The massive vertical stone surface with minimal openings stands rigid in front of a fragmentized context. Neutral but distinguishable, the stone surface is evoking the spirit and atmosphere of tradition re-proposed in a different urban scale. The reference to the local material and vernacular tradition is an attempt to offer sustainable approach in terms of culture, social impact and identity.

The building is been conceived as a repetitive rhythm of the planar stone elements placed parallel to the Kiblah direction. Oriented space is thus created through the vertical planes. The mosque is there, a space oriented to Mecca flowing through the massive elements and enclosed by a light steel and alabaster skin. Light and space mix together by creating the sensation of limitless space. The entrance to the mosque is achieved through a vertical space which is the main distribution core to access the prayer hall. This vertical Hayat is collecting the fluxes from all directions and is leading to the main prayer hall. We raise the prayer hall and the courtyard from the ground level in order to offer more privacy. At the same time it is possible to provide entrances from “Bulevardi i Deshmoreve” for the vertical Hayat and the educational and social activities. Symbolic interpretation and aesthetical choice The formal language chosen corresponds to a basic interpretation of well known symbols. The five pillars of Islam are represented in the five vertical elements of the façade. The silhouette is a simplified representation of the Arab writing and symbol of Allah.

Simplicity, rhythm and elegance are the principles that derive from the Islamic culture and that shape the Central Mosque of Prishtina. These principles are materialized into the urban context by creating a legible mechanism which is monumental but not intrusive and that attempts to translate universal values into architectural form. Functional scheme and flexibility: The prayer hall is conceived as a rectangular flexible space. It consists of the main prayer ground and the above prayer galleries; one for men and three for women (Mahfil). The rectangular shape of the prayer hall allows the prayers to be adjusted in less parallel rows and at the same time creates the possibility for flexible use of space in relation to their number. So the capacities can be adjusted by the use of movable panels that divide the main prayer floor into three smaller spaces, each corresponding to one of the domes. This flexibility allows providing different capacities during daily use, Friday prayer and Festival prayers. At the same time it offers a dynamic interior and prevents the perception of emptiness. The galleries also allow a flexible vertical use of the space in accordance to the praying capacity needed. The scheme, combined with a flexible heating system of the floor surface allows minimal energy use. The building offers separate entrances for all its activities. The mosque can be accessed from “Bulevardi i Deshmoreve” through its main entrance and from the pedestrian street on the southwest from a secondary access point. Separate entrances are also provided for the underground parking and commercial activities. Light: The Central Mosque of Prishtina is a building that comes out from light. Light is the tool that shapes the space, by softly solving the alabaster skin. Soft and warm illumination comes in through the translucent façade during daytime. At night the space between the vertical stone walls gets illuminated from inside and creates a dramatic contrast. The Mosque is a lighthouse for the city that marks the direction to Mecca.