Atmospheric prototypes : rethinking spirituality in the American mosque

Abstract

The thesis addresses architecture's role in defining spirituality in an American Islamic context. The problem stems from *retrofit' mosques, or mosques which are adapted from previous structures not built as mosques. The retrofit problem, a contextual challenge for mosques in America, suffer from a lack of spirituality and visibility in the urban realm. The thesis is aimed at developing prototypes which can architecturally create atmospheres conducive to deep-thought/ meditation/prayer in order to counter the experience of the retrofit space. The thesis makes the claim that spirituality can indeed be produced through our physical built environments. Consequently, an argument is made that through micro architectural interventions, the spiritual health of a community can be restored and strengthened significantly. Through the research, a spiritual void in the predominant retrofit mosque structures is highlighted. Being such, there emerges a need for an architectural solution to address this spiritual void. The thesis takes the position that in order for spiritual void to be overcome, an initial effort must be made on the scale of the individuaL. Consequently, this effort can then be solicited to the scale of the collective through the process of workshops and temporary installations.