For Muslims everywhere Masjids are important symbols of the world of Islam. In the UK however they are more than
just symbols and have become established Islamic spaces within which Muslim communities are bounded by their faith. This centre
will not be a closed door institute but will cater for Muslims and non-Muslims alike incorporating a fully functioning Community
Centre. Indeed, the UKIM network was one of the first organisations to embrace community cohesion and understanding by running
Mosque Open and Taster Days.
The large grounds spread over 2 acres will accommodate the changing
nature of Masjid’s. Traditionally, Masjid’s have provided prayer and after school Islamic education and although
these will remain their primary purpose the demands of British born and bred youth are for new types of spaces which provide
a whole host of recreational and social functions which have previously been provided elsewhere.
This project will involve the restoration of a key building which has
been at the heart of the community from its original inception as the residence of a local mill owner providing employment
for the local population and then as a hotel and club. Numerous proposals for the re-use of the building from retail to residential
uses have been put forward over the years but the prohibitive cost of restoration and other obstacles has ensured that these
have surmounted to nothing. [meant nothing materialized on the ground]. This is the last opportunity to revitalize and bring
the building back to its former glory by serving the new community which has settled in the area over the last 50 years and
the wider community of Nelson and Pendle. Furthermore, the site occupying a key route into Nelson will improve aesthetics
[appearance] of the environment for all.
Purpose Built Masjid
The proposal also involves the construction of a new purpose build
Masjid. The fundamental requirement of prayer to be orientated in the direction of the Ka’aba Mecca
means many converted buildings are unsuitable (see written proposal). Along with the C & C Centre it is hoped the Masjid
will be able to extend its range of services and deliver them more effectively by extending its facilities:
The sensitive nature of the site, being within the grounds of a listed
building and also set within a conservation area demanded a building which would respect its context and in particular not
to detract from the listed building. At the same time, it needed to stand its own ground and make a statement which
any public or civic building should. Legibility or the ability to instantly recognize the function of a building is a fundamental
of good design. Furthermore, the external appearance from a religious point of view should be [manifest the best of I Architecture
/ reflective of Islamic Architecture- see paper proposals] and evoke a sense of enlightenment to any passerby.
Given the brief, a firm of experienced local Architects specializing
in dealing with changes to the historic fabric and having worked on an array of projects right up to the multi-million pound
restoration of a medieval castle were selected.
The design process started with a idea generating session where different
Masjids and Islamic institutions or certain features of those buildings were selected, the image shown (a Masjid proposed
in Canada)
[display alongside] shows an example of one such selection. Discussions are still ongoing with the Local Planning Authority
at the Council pending the submission of a planning application but the built form of the new Masjid has been steered in the
direction of marrying traditional Islamic style with modernity. Overall it is hoped the setting, height, mass and scale of
the building together with the retention of the important chestnut trees within the mature gardens can greatly benefit the
local townscape and produce a Masjid which is unique in its beauty. Floor plans, a site plan and elevations of the new and
existing building can be seen / found (WHERE?) and are subject to change.
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