Project: mosque "Pride of Muslims"
Architect: Abdukakhar Turdiev
Location: Shawls, EN
Photo: Kirill Gorozhanin
While in Chechnya, I passed by this magnificent structure several times. Each time, I found myself perceiving it as a different object. The reason is that the mosque is made of white semi-matte marble, which has the ability to harmoniously absorb the surrounding light. Both during the day and at night with illumination, it reflects a part of the environmental color palette, yet the crystalline-white base is unmistakably evident. Whether this is a unique feature of the marble, specially brought from the Greek island of Thasos, or if any white marble would behave similarly on a large scale is hard to say, but the effect is quite striking.
Another feature endowed by the marble to the mosque is the concealment of its real volume. The massive structure, accommodating 30,000 people, disguises its volume, even when you are up close to the 63-meter minaret. Moreover, from mid to long distances, the eye enjoys gliding over the colonnades, arches, and patterns, observing a balanced and harmonious composition. The building is pleasant to the eye … and to the touch as well.
P. S. While writing, I recalled my visit last autumn to Ruskeala’s quarry, where white marble is extracted. Though the material there is unprocessed and contains many grey inclusions, combined with the azure water, the scene evoked a similar sense of harmony and balance. Marble is a remarkable material.
@gorkjournal
Architect: Abdukakhar Turdiev
Location: Shawls, EN
Photo: Kirill Gorozhanin
While in Chechnya, I passed by this magnificent structure several times. Each time, I found myself perceiving it as a different object. The reason is that the mosque is made of white semi-matte marble, which has the ability to harmoniously absorb the surrounding light. Both during the day and at night with illumination, it reflects a part of the environmental color palette, yet the crystalline-white base is unmistakably evident. Whether this is a unique feature of the marble, specially brought from the Greek island of Thasos, or if any white marble would behave similarly on a large scale is hard to say, but the effect is quite striking.
Another feature endowed by the marble to the mosque is the concealment of its real volume. The massive structure, accommodating 30,000 people, disguises its volume, even when you are up close to the 63-meter minaret. Moreover, from mid to long distances, the eye enjoys gliding over the colonnades, arches, and patterns, observing a balanced and harmonious composition. The building is pleasant to the eye … and to the touch as well.
P. S. While writing, I recalled my visit last autumn to Ruskeala’s quarry, where white marble is extracted. Though the material there is unprocessed and contains many grey inclusions, combined with the azure water, the scene evoked a similar sense of harmony and balance. Marble is a remarkable material.
@gorkjournal