Cambridge Central Mosque

Shortlisted for the 2021 Stirling Prize, this mosque is a truly innovative building, which is sustainable and socially and architecturally integrated into and respectful of its neighbourhood. As well as discussing its design and construction, this book focuses on the creation of a unique place of worship for a community. Setting out historic precedents and influences, it highlights how this mosque breaks new ground in terms of Islamic and English religious architectural traditions and how it reflects the ongoing debates on Islam and Britishness, as well as Islam and Tradition. The book sets out how the site and then the architects, Marks Barfield Architects, were selected, by winning a limited competition in 2009. The book then discusses the development of the mosque¿s concept, structure and key design aspects, including the significance of geometry to Islam and the defining feature of Cambridge Mosque - its timber structure. The timber columns, or ¿trees¿, reach up to support the roof