Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque

Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman

Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque

Cubeinside

ARCHITECTS
Cubeinside

ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT
Mehri Farnaz

ELECTRICAL CONSULTANTS
Thermo Ambient

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Khandaker Ashifuzzaman Rajon, Shakhawat Hossain Rocky

CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISORS
Anis Khan Shanto, Abdullah Al Jaber

LIGHTING DESIGNERS
Platform Solutions

STRUCTURE ENGINEER
Amimul Ehsan

MEP & HVAC CONSULTANT
Amimul Ehsan

MANUFACTURERS
Bangladesh Thai Aluminum, Crown Cement, Mirpur Ceramic, Nasir Glass, RAK

PHOTOGRAPHS
Asif Salman, Khandaker Ashifuzzaman Rajon

AREA
464 m²

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Kalkini, Bangladesh

CATEGORY
Mosque

ABSTRACT SEMIOTICS: BAIT UR RAIYAN MOSQUE - BAIT-UR

Raiyan is a small-scale mosque quietly sitting on a typical rural Bangladesh site near the mighty Arial Kha River. This particular design is an exercise of abstract interpretation of basic Symbolism of Islamic Architecture.

Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman

Geometry has been the principal tool for this abstraction in terms of transforming both the form and spatial quality.

A human-centric approach has been adopted to create a space for community, keeping the scale sacred yet intimate, using local materials like red brick, while lights played the most vital role in uplifting the spiritual entity of the mosque.

Symbolism through geometric interpretation is an imperative feature of Islamic art and architecture. Islam prescribes a symbolic or suggestive approach rather than a literal representation of any sort.

Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman

This makes geometry one of the most vital tools in the abstraction of symbolism in mosque design, which seeks its development through philosophy and way of life.

In this particular mosque, the project brief had the firm requirements of having the traditional symbolic elements of a mosque, like the dome, minarets, and arch.

This imposed criterion was taken as rather an opportunity by the designers to exercise the abstraction of the traditional symbols in mosque architecture through the concept of “Abstract Semiotics.

Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman

” This principle was applied in measurable mass, space, and other immeasurable aspects with a deeper perceptual level.

To achieve timeless materiality, red brick and stones are used, which goes a long way in Bangladeshi mosque heritage.

The deep red of the brick brings about a mellow contrast to the surrounding greenery of the area.

While brick makes the enclosure, floors and plinths are made of stone, mainly marble.

Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Khandaker Ashifuzzaman Rajon

The marble floors are porous and keep the floors cool even during the blistering summer heat waves. it has been used as a building element here rather than just an environmental parameter.

In addition to the direct lights from the apertures on the North and South sides, a few more indirect lights have been designed to wash through the wall and dome, enhancing the spirituality.

Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman

As mosques are comparatively quieter on other days except Friday noon, the building is more reliant on natural ventilation and cooling instead of being too reliant on mechanical means, cutting unnecessary costs.

Large apertures ensure an abundance of light and air. The ambiance of the entire prayer space is enhanced by a skylight that keeps the area well-illuminated.

Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman


Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
© Asif Salman


Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
Section AA
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
Section BB
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
South Elevation
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
West Elevation
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
East Elevation
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
North Elevation


Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
Plan - Ground Floor
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
Plan - Roof
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
Master Plan


Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
Diagram 01
Bait Ur Raiyan Mosque
Diagram 02