Preston Mosque

What is a mosque? The definition of “masjid” in Arabic is a place for collective prosternation. Spatially, a mosque has three essential characteristics: a defined space dedicated to prayer; a space that is pure, in opposition to a profane exterior; and, an oriented space, allowing believers to pray in the direction of Mecca. The architectural history of the mosque reflects the technologically, culturally and climatically appropriate responses of diverse Muslim communities to these requirements.

The form of the building responds to and simplifies the constraints of the site and the basic requirements for a mosque. Situated alongside a busy motorway, the circular exterior wall acts as an acoustic barrier while providing an enclosure, defining the space as sacred. The required purity of sacred space and the congregation are addressed through the spatial clarity of a simple infrastructure for ablutions. The spaces of prayer open onto the inner sanctuary created by the encircling exterior wall, marked by a tranquil pool surrounded by vegetation and a narrow opening that indicates the direction of Mecca.

The choice of brick as the main facade material reflects the architectural heritage of Lancashire and a tradition of constructing significant civic, as well as industrial, buildings in red brick. The undulation in the facade and the decorative detail in the brick course reflects the intricate red woven textiles of the Gujarat region of India, where a majority of the Indian Muslims of the Preston area find their origins.