Building Conflict: Islamic Center in Zürich, Switzerland

Result

1st Prize
Swapna Parab and Nubras Samayeen

2nd Prize
Matthew Hall

3rd Prize
Frei + Saarinen Architektur

View entries...

Overview

FAS calls for an open competition for a public Islamic Center in Zurich with a mosque where Muslims can gather and practice their religion in an open urban context.

Description
Something happened. Although Switzerland profited all its history by its forthrightness towards immigrants, today this is over. The Swiss population has voted to ban the building of minarets. The ignorance and fear about a different culture was uncovered. A discriminating law found its way into our constitution. But this vote does not solve any problems nor addresses the real issues: Media-constructed incompatibilities, migratory movements, social barriers, Islam in Europe, etc…
This complex will be open to all, furthering interactions and dialogue.
How can architecture, as a manifestation of social relationships, expedite conflicts in a city? Is Zurich an undisturbed town, or a war-zone, a platform for ideas to be fought for? How can elements of a foreign culture be augmented, rather than diminished, through contextualism?
The chronically controversial Kronenwiese is located above the Kornhausbrücke, in the triangle of Kronenstrasse, Kornhausstrasse and Nordstrasse. On this prominent site above the Limmat River, the presence of a mosque is impossible to camouflage. In the middle of a residential area, directly adjacent to a greek orthodox church, swimming facilities and an active bar scene, the distinctly Islamic Center must posture itself with an attitude towards its dissimilar neighbors.
Originally intended as an open green space, development of the Kronenwiese Park was made possible when the whole area was declared a construction zone in 2008. Social engagement was stopped by the eviction of the „Gassenküche“ (soup-kitchen) and of the homeless` shacks. Today the city council is proceeding with a project competition for a new, high end residential allotment. But FAS introduces an alternative that the entire city can profit from.

Jury
Not yet announced

Prize
1st prize : Crowned with the FAS legion of honour & awesome FAS T-shirt
2nd prize: a slick FAS T-shirt
3rd prize: an ok FAS T-Shirt

Entry Fee
None

Entries
Images (sketches, montages, plans, renderings, etc.) and Descriptive text

Organizer
FAS

Official Website
http://faszine.blogspot.com/