Preserving the Cultural and Religious Essence, The Al Nouri Mosque Complex

Architects have a dire responsibility of planning and designing a structure in the best possible manner. An architect is someone who understands multiple parameters. Some parameters are related to the necessities of the locale, while many parameters are related to people’s emotional attachment to a space. One such architect, going strong for 22 years, is Hafsa Burt. Along with her team at “hb + an Architects,” she prepared a design strategy for the ‘Al Nouri Mosque Complex’ in Mosul, Iraq. Burt designed the mosque complex so that it seems like a cultural jewel for future generations. As a result, the proposed mosque complex, located in Mosul, Iraq, aims to connect people with its architecture and increases the value of local heritage.

Burt’s idea was to recreate this area as a symbol of hope and pride for the local residents. A vital aspect she kept in mind was that the mosque complex’s overall design connects people to its historical roots. With that perspective, Burt began planning out elements that were to be used to construct the complex. She utilized the region’s vernacular architecture to make a low energy model. She wanted to use vernacular features in designing the annex appropriately. The complex’s hallways have windcatchers, allowing a smooth airflow. The roof has trellises and seating, allowing community members to admire the beauty of the rooftop from different angles. She understands the significance of geometry in Islamic culture and keeping that in mind, she utilized the essential aspects in structuring the complex. Burt designed the mosque’s remnants, to expand into polygons from a square, creating multiple intersection points and further multiplying in value. The entire concept of the mosque depicts that Burt and hb+a Architects aim to pay homage to the age-old Islamic traditions of exploring math and geometry in architectural forms, and use local materials and techniques for thermal comfort.

Hafsa Burt isn’t simply one more name in the realm of architecture and engineering. Instead, her central goal and vision of making and presenting feasible models for low zero carbon design have separated her from the rest. She puts her belief in “Regenerating Building Practices,” which are reflected in her architectural design solutions of the Al Nouri Mosque Complex.