{{Short description|Mosque in Cambridge, United Kingdom}} {{Advert|date=October 2024}} {{Use British English|date=August 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}} {{Infobox religious building |building_name= Cambridge Central Mosque |image=cmglee_Cambridge_Mosque_look_out.jpg |image_upright= |caption=Cambridge Central Mosque atrium, {{nowrap|facing Mill Road}} |coordinates= {{coord|52.197|0.152|display=inline,title}} |location=Cambridge, United Kingdom |geo= |religious_affiliation=Islam |region=Romsey, Mill Road |functional_status=Active |website= https://www.cambridgecentralmosque.org/ |architect= Marks Barfield |architecture_type=Mosque |architecture_style=Eco-technology design |year_completed=Q1 2019 |construction_cost= £23 million<ref name="brown">{{cite news|url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cambridges-first-purpose-built-mosque-set-to-open-later-this-year-9059527/|title=Stunning views of Cambridge's £23m mosque|last=Curtis|first=Adrian|date=24 January 2019|work=Cambridge Independent}}</ref> |capacity=1,000 |dome_quantity=1 |dome_height_outer= |dome_dia_outer= |minaret_quantity=0 |minaret_height= |materials=Timber, bricks and tiles }}
The '''Cambridge Central Mosque''' is the first purpose-built mosque within the city of Cambridge, England. It opened to the public on 24 April 2019.<ref name=opening>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-48044025 |title='Eco mosque' opens for prayers in Cambridge |date=24 April 2019|work=BBC }}</ref> The Mosque is a prominent Islamic centre located on Mill Road in the Romsey area of Cambridge. The mosque serves as a place of worship, community centre and cultural hub for Muslims in the area. It hosts a variety of events, including religious services, lectures, workshops, and cultural celebrations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-01 |title=Cambridge Central Mosque: The first Eco Mosque in Europe |url=https://travellinghan.com/2023/03/01/cambridge-central-mosque-the-first-eco-mosque-in-europe/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Travelling Han |language=en}}</ref>
== Planning == The project was initiated to address the growing needs of the Muslim community in Cambridge, providing them with a dedicated space for worship, community activities, and cultural events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://cambridgecentralmosque.org/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Cambridge Central Mosque |language=en-GB}}</ref>
The planning for a new mosque began in 2007 when the existing Mawson Road mosque began to experience capacity issues.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cambridge Central Mosque {{!}} Marks Barfield Architects |url=https://archello.com/project/cambridge-central-mosque |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Archello |language=en}}</ref> The design competition was held in 2009, and Marks Barfield Architects, the firm behind the London Eye, won with their proposal of an oasis within a grove of trees.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Mariam |date=2021-09-21 |title=Cambridge Central Mosque nominated for UK's best building |url=https://www.newarab.com/features/cambridge-central-mosque-nominated-uks-best-building |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=newarab.com |language=en}}</ref> The goal was to blend traditional Islamic architectural elements with contemporary design principles and local materials. Construction was completed in April 2019.<ref name="opening" />
== Architecture and design == The mosque's architecture is inspired by both Islamic and English religious architectural traditions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-13 |title=Cambridge Mosque |url=https://marksbarfield.com/projects/cambridge-mosque/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |language=en-GB|website=Marks Barfield Architects}}</ref> It incorporates elements of Islamic geometry and symbolism. It is a one-story building located on a rectangular site which is predominantly the residential area of Cambridge. Visitors walk through a formal garden with trees and a water feature facing Mill Road before entering the building. Then, they pass underneath an entrance canopy supported by four tree-shaped wooden columns. Each of these columns has a skylight that allows natural light inside the mosque.
The building is characterised by its timber structure, featuring expressive glulam columns that resemble a forest canopy, symbolising the Islamic tradition of a garden as a place of contemplation and paradise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Rob |date=2019-11-11 |title=Defining the English mosque: Marks Barfield's Cambridge Central Mosque |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/buildings/defining-the-english-mosque-marks-barfields-cambridge-central-mosque |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=The Architects’ Journal |language=en}}</ref> The mosque's layout emphasises natural light and ventilation, with large glazed oculi allowing sunlight to pour into the prayer hall.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-20 |title=Marks Barfield Architects designs Cambridge Central Mosque held up by tree-like pillars |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2021/01/20/cambridge-central-mosque-marks-barfield-architects/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Dezeen |language=en}}</ref>
The mosque incorporates various green technologies, including natural lighting, ventilation systems, air source heat pumps, photovoltaic arrays, and rainwater harvesting.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Teller |first=Matthew |date=July–August 2020 |title=Green Mosques Generate Positive Energy |url=https://www.aramcoworld.com/Articles/July-2020/Green-Mosques-Generate-Positive-Energy}}</ref> These features contribute to the mosque's minimal carbon footprint and environmental responsibility.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mosque |url=https://cambridgecentralmosque.org/the-mosque/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Cambridge Central Mosque |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Recognition and awards ==
Since its completion, the Cambridge Central Mosque has received recognition and awards for its architectural excellence and sustainable design. It has been praised for its innovative approach to mosque architecture and its positive impact on the community. In 2021, due to the outstanding design and architecture of the Cambridge Central Mosque it has gained many rewards such as Project Architect of the year, Client of the year and building of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Homepage - Architecture Today |url=https://architecturetoday.co.uk/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Gallery== <gallery widths="200" heights="150"> cmglee_Cambridge_Mosque_side.jpg|View from Mill Road cmglee_Cambridge_Mosque_front.jpg|Gate and garden cmglee_Cambridge_Mosque_portico.jpg|Portico cmglee_Cambridge_Mosque_atrium.jpg|Atrium cmglee_Cambridge_Mosque_hall.jpg|Prayer hall cmglee_Cambridge_Mosque_hall_screen.jpg|Prayer hall screen </gallery>
== See also == * Cambridge Muslim College
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *[http://www.cambridgecentralmosque.org/ Cambridge Central Mosque] *[https://www.cambridgeislamicart.com/ Cambridge Islamic Art] *[http://www.cambridgemuslimcollege.org/ Cambridge Muslim College]
{{Mosques in the United Kingdom}}
Category:Mosques in England Category:Buildings and structures in Cambridge Category:Religion in Cambridge Category:Sustainable buildings in the United Kingdom Category:Contemporary architecture mosques