Water surrounds it giving the impression it’s floating above the sea. This is Masjid Nurul Hayah. Today we will explore this unique sanctuary. It is a place for reflection and spiritual solace. It is closely connected to nature. The Masjid Nurul Hayah was conceived with good intentions and peace at its heart.
Dave Orlando and Fandy Gunawan reimagined the mosque. Unlike usual mosque designs they used a minimalist form. This helps it stand out. It also integrates with nature.
The client’s vision was specific. They wanted the Nurul Yaqin Mosque reconstructed beautifully. They also wanted it to serve as a cultural hub. The community could enjoy it. It should serve as a memorial of the 2018 tsunami disaster. It should also be a symbol of the city’s growth.
The Nurul Yaqin Mosque consists of two distinct buildings. The prayer hall stands alone. It has three different entrances. One entrance is for the imam. The other two are for male and female worshippers. Utility rooms are in the opposite building.
Concrete and bricks primarily make up the mosque. There is a touch of blue terrazzo on the floor. The architects kept Islamic ornamentation modest. They laser-cut 99 names of God into the stainless-steel air vents. These surround the upper area of the building.
The prayer hall is supported by 30 pillars. These have ornamental vaulting on the ceiling. The building has no windows or glass. It was made to breathe through ventilation. This means no maintenance is needed.
Worshippers face the Mihrab. The imam leads the prayer here. The mihrab is in the shape of a slit. Natural light seeps through. It creates a beam of light onto the floor. This orients worshippers towards Mecca.
The architects chose terrazzo for the floor. It has a smooth seamless appearance. Its natural ripple texture makes it appear that there are no gaps. It looks like the blue ends and the ocean begins which resembles an eternal and limitless prayer to God.
The idea of water was a favorite of both architects. It teaches us to work in harmony with our environment. We must work with it instead of against it.
Another mosque in Jakarta is the Masjid Nurul Huda. It was originally located next to a train track. It was only 24 square meters. The construction of a double-track railway forced the mosque to relocate. It moved into a residential area.
The community purchased a 110 square meter plot of land. It cost around 600 million. A donor living in the Menteng area helped with the construction. The former head of the district also helped.
The Masjid Nurul Huda is now a two-story building. There are plans to build a waste disposal site next to the mosque. The local government supports the new mosque. They encourage the administrators to maintain and care for it. It can be used for community activities. These include Koran studies or social events.
Masjid Nurul Hayah offers something unique. Its architecture and philosophy create a peaceful place. It connects people with nature. Remember the floating mosque. Remember the harmony. Remember the peace.