Geometry tells a story here at Mosquée El-Ansar. It speaks of tradition and modernity woven together. Mosquée El-Ansar prides itself on being a community mosque. It stands along Green Link near Bedok Reservoir and East Coast Park. The design focuses on creating an open and inclusive atmosphere. It welcomes worshippers and the wider community.
This mosque embodies the idea of embracing both the new and the old. Elements like the minaret and the main prayer hall’s dome have been retained from the past. They are integrated with new structures. A floating podium houses classrooms and auditoriums. The auditorium has a 300-seat capacity. It can be used as an extended prayer space. It also serves as a multi-purpose venue for events like weddings.
A mosque must represent the core beliefs and values of the Muslim community. It also needs to consider the multi-cultural environment. Mosquée El-Ansar was designed to appear open and inclusive. It reaches out to the community. The design embodies these values.
The main design feature is a large covered community plaza at the front. It was created by a podium consisting of a cantilevered steel girder box. It embraces the existing prayer hall and minaret. It appears to float above the plaza and surrounding streets. The plaza serves multiple functions. It provides for many facets of life. It acts as an informal gathering space and an area for extended worship. It is also a space for social events. The new volume floats above the plaza. It houses new programs. These include a new multi-purpose 300-seat auditorium. Function rooms can be used as an extended prayer space for up to 460 people.
The steel frame façade features an intricate pattern inspired by the arabesque. The simple geometry of the rotated square is layered upon secondary structures and external screening. This creates a delicate pattern. The mosque has a distinctive face. The façade allows natural daylight to filter into the inner spaces. It also enables airflow to naturally ventilate the building. This makes it like a porous, open volume.
The existing minaret is celebrated as a focal point. The blue dome is given aesthetic lines on the exterior. The ceiling was modified to express the eight-cornered star. This was generated by the juxtaposition of two geometries. This was inspired by the arabesque. These two structures link to the past. The updated design forges a new chapter for the Al-Ansar Mosque.
The new structure opens up the area. It provides improved visual connectivity and physical accessibility. It invites people to enter and join in activities. The covered plaza serves many functions. It offers informal gatherings and an extended area for prayer. This space offers infinite possibilities for interactions. It forms an ‘urban room’. The Muslim community can come together here. Other key features include a second block. This houses classrooms, offices, religious classrooms and a kindergarten.
The ‘Old and New’ are expressed independently. However they are experienced collectively as an integral whole. Skylights mediate the interfaces between the two states. Visitors experience the presence of both. It is akin to a continuous dialogue between tradition and modernity here at Mosquée El-Ansar.