Al-Ansar Mosque in Singapore

The Al-Ansar Mosque was designed to create an open and inclusive atmosphere that would attract both the Halal community and nearby residents.

The temple also clearly embodies the concept of integrating old and new elements. Things like the mosque’s minaret and the dome of the Lord’s Prayer hall were preserved and given new structures, such as a floating orchestra podium, which would also be used for classrooms and auditoriums. The 300-seat auditorium can be used as an extended prayer space or as a multi-purpose hall, for example for weddings.

A mosque must clearly embody specific symbolic elements that represent the core ideals and values of the Muslim community, while also taking into account the multicultural environment in which it operates. For this reason, we have to design mosques that look open and inclusive, that are accessible to the community as a whole, and that reflect those values.

The main feature of the design is a roofed community square at the front of the site, which is enclosed by two low walls, with a cantilevered steel roof that appears to float over the square and surrounding streets, embracing the existing prayer hall and minaret. The plaza is designed to serve multiple functions that showcase the multifaceted life of the Malays: an informal gathering space, long-term use for worship and social events. After the renovation, the new volume, which floats over the plaza, has new features, including a new 300-seat multipurpose hall and a prayer space for 460 people.

The steel frame facade is inspired by Arabic patterns, and in order to give the mosque a different look to the community, we designed a very precise arrangement – by simply rotating the square and placing it on top of the secondary structure and external facade, and articulating it in a tangled manner. The finished facade allows natural light to permeate the interior Spaces while also allowing for natural ventilation, making the building look like a porous and open box.

The original spire is seen as a focal point, the blue orb on the spire is given aesthetic lines, while the ceiling is embellished and represented by the juxtaposition of two figures to form an octagonal shape. Inspired by Arabic patterns, the two structures will serve as an important link to history, as the new design opens a new chapter for the Al-Ansar Mosque.

The new structure opens up the site of the existing space and creates a better visual connection, while hosting a new entrance to the surrounding community. We designed it to invite and encourage people to come in and participate in the events taking place here. The covered plaza will serve a variety of functions, from informal gatherings to extended Spaces for prayer and worship.

The space also offers endless possibilities for interaction between people, as it establishes an “urban residence” where Muslim communities can gather. Other important features of the mosque are another volume that houses classrooms and offices, as well as religious classrooms and a kindergarten.

This “combination of old and new” as a public complex, its design is independent performance. A series of skylights will connect the two, and visitors will frequently feel the presence of both during the tour – a continuous dialogue between tradition and modernity.