Art in Cambridge: mosque

There's going to be a mosque in Cambridge, and it will look like this:

Controversy

This building proposal has not been universally welcomed. But what else is new? Proposals of mosques to be built in European cities always generate controversy.

Cologne mosque controversy

Marseille mosque controversy

Warsaw mosque controversy

Speaking solely from the point of view of architecture, my view is that this building will enhance Cambridge. And here's why:

Five reasons why this mosque is an architectural win:

1. Worshipper-win!

Finally, a mosque! There are 7,000 muslims in Cambridge.

By contrast, worshipper-fail:

Currently, worshippers are crammed into a converted former chapel.

2. Welcome-win!

This development is inclusive. The mosque welcomes people in. Not just women, but also men. Not just Indonesian muslims but also Pakistani muslims, Saudi muslims, Lebanese muslims, Bengali muslims, muslims of all backgrounds.

And not just muslims, but all of us other locals.

The architects propose:

As well as the community garden, the facility will include a cafeteria with a garden terrace, a teaching zone available for everyone in the community, and room for art exhibitions and performances of various kinds.

So: this mosque is for all of us.

By contrast, welcome-fail:

Many of the most famous Christian places of worship in Cambridge are not inclusive at all.

For example, unless you're a card-carrying member of the University of Cambridge, you normally have to pay to get into King's College Chapel.

3. Urban renewal-win!

In Bilbão (Spain), the Guggenheim Museum transformed the urban space around it. In London (England), Tate Modern did a similar transformation for south of the river Thames.

Our new mosque will transform Mill Road (Romsey area).

What the plot used to look like:

Robert Sayle warehouse, Mill Road (Google map streetview screenshot)

Former Robert Sayle warehouse. Screenshot via Google Streetview.

What the plot will look like:

By contrast, urban renewal-fail:

Cambridge Leisture Centre

4. Eco-win!

This is an eco-mosque. It has heat pumps, water recycling and a sedum roof.

From the architects' proposal:

An innovative feature of the development is its ambition to become Britain’s first significant 'eco-mosque’' A range of sustainable features, including heat pumps, water recycling, natural ventilation and lighting, and a sedum roof, will make the structure a symbol of national excellence in environmentally-responsible engineering.

By contrast, eco-fail:

James Stirling's Faculty of History, Cambridge: leaking roof and heating problems.

Source: Worldarchitecturemap.org

5. Aesthetic win!

It's beautiful, brave and bold.

Every new building should replace whatever's been there with something fabulously more beautiful.

By contrast, beauty-fail:

Some religious communities of Cambridge have to put up with some very undistinguished architecture.

This is where the Cambridge Traditional Jewish Congregation meets:

The Cambridge Jewish Student Centre. Photo: © Ben Harris and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

This is Barnwell Baptist Church on Howard Road (in the Abbey area of Cambridge):

Source: barnwellbaptistchurch.org

And the Sikh community meets at the Cambridge Gurdwara which is currently based in a former pub (The Grove, Arbury Community Centre, Cambridge):

Source: cambridgegurdwara.org

So, in sum: the promised Mill Road mosque is an architectural win all round!

Posted on the occasion of the prophet Muhammad's birthday (25 Jan 2013).

Happy Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi! Happy Mawlid!

I'd love to hear your views on the mosque. Comment below or tweet me!

What: Mosque on Mill Road, Cambridge.

Where: Site of former Robert Sayle warehouse, lower Mill Road. Purchased by a charity headed by Yusuf Islam (the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens), in 2008. (See Public Arts Strategy, p.5).

Architects: Marks Barfield

Other projects by these architects include the London Eye.

Garden designer: Emma Clark. (She specialises in Islamic gardens.)