Pruned: The Vanishing Mosque

(The qibla as a forced perspective into infinity. Image by RUX.)

The Vanishing Mosque is a winning proposal by RUX in the Design as Reform competition organized by the Dubai-based Traffic Gallery.

RUX

(Image by RUX.)

Rather than a physical building, this mosque creates a place of worship in the spaces between buildings whose qibla is formed by skewering the urban grid to “forg[e] a forced perspective view in the direction of Mecca.”

Rather than an impervious (or quasi-impervious) block, it is “seamless with [the] streets, connected directly to the pulse of daily, and open to anyone and everyone at anytime.” At other times, it functions as an outdoor plaza.

RUX

(Image by RUX.)

RUX

(Below the raised platform is the ablution pool. Image by RUX.)

“The inside of The Vanishing Mosque is its outside,” writes RUX. “Its community extends to the limits of the city at large, creating a sense of shared ownership, collective identity, and deep roots that connect spiritual life to modern urban living.”

In the Archives:
Stadium Gang

(Via @SubMedina via @loudpaper.)

2 COMMENTS —

Ian Fitzpatrick
June 22, 2010 at 2:51:00 PM CDT
A novel and elegant approach, particularly to a venue which serves a fleeting purpose in perpetuity. I've not seen this technique before. Does it have a name?

Alexander Trevi
June 24, 2010 at 7:15:00 PM CDT
If there's a term for this, it has escaped me. I am familiar with a few other examples, however, specifically the way some cities in India were ordered according to Hindu cosmology. (Or is it Buddhist cosmology?) All those post-Avignon popes, including the patrons of Michelangelo and Bernini, reconfiguring the whole city of Rome is somewhat akin to what RUX is doing with this vanishing mosque.

Anyone object to the term urban scenography?

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	The Vanishing Mosque Tuesday, June 22, 2010 #public_spaces #sacred_plains (The qibla as a forced perspective into infinity. Image by RUX.) The Vanishing Mosque is a winning proposal by RUX in the Design as Reform competition organized by the Dubai-based Traffic Gallery. (Image by RUX.) Rather than a physical building, this mosque creates a place of worship in the spaces between buildings whose qibla is formed by skewering the urban grid to “forg[e] a forced perspective view in the direction of Mecca.” Rather than an impervious (or quasi-impervious) block, it is “seamless with [the] streets, connected directly to the pulse of daily, and open to anyone and everyone at anytime.” At other times, it functions as an outdoor plaza. (Image by RUX.) (Below the raised platform is the ablution pool. Image by RUX.) “The inside of The Vanishing Mosque is its outside,” writes RUX. “Its community extends to the limits of the city at large, creating a sense of shared ownership, collective identity, and deep roots that connect spiritual life to modern urban living.” In the Archives: Stadium Gang (Via @SubMedina via @loudpaper.) 2 COMMENTS — Ian Fitzpatrick June 22, 2010 at 2:51:00 PM CDT A novel and elegant approach, particularly to a venue which serves a fleeting purpose in perpetuity. I've not seen this technique before. Does it have a name? Alexander Trevi June 24, 2010 at 7:15:00 PM CDT If there's a term for this, it has escaped me. I am familiar with a few other examples, however, specifically the way some cities in India were ordered according to Hindu cosmology. (Or is it Buddhist cosmology?) All those post-Avignon popes, including the patrons of Michelangelo and Bernini, reconfiguring the whole city of Rome is somewhat akin to what RUX is doing with this vanishing mosque. Anyone object to the term urban scenography? Post a Comment — Comments on posts older than a week are moderated — —— Newer Post Older Post —— Home	1