New Mosque near Preston, Lancashire

The client is looking to create a landmark, timeless building on this site, close to the city centre.

Description
The intention is to produce a strong and bold design that is clearly identifiable as a place of worship but not necessarily to the extent that it is dominated by the traditional Islamic designs. Similarly, it is acceptable to have an element of Islamic flair or features but this is not paramount and if the building has minarets they should be subtle and modern in appearance. The building should have a clear focal point or strong design features which gives character and visibility at some distance. It should not be so institutionalised as to simply have the look of a contemporary office building.
Consideration should be given to the potential for the creation of an external courtyard area or sahn which would be part of the public realm and available for informal meetings or relaxation.
Detailed consideration should be given to the appropriate use of materials as part of the design
but also in terms of the future maintenance and operating costs of the building which will be run
by a charity. For example, it may be that a material such as marble or other high quality stone is acceptable whereas timber, although having the potential to add a contemporary element to the design, is not due to the ongoing maintenance requirements. Simple composite panels and cladding are unlikely to be the solution and the preference is most probably for the use of more traditional materials such as brick or stone, including marble.
Maintenance should also be considered not simply over 25 years but much longer.

Jury
Fanos Panayides, RIBA Competition Architect Adviser, Director John McAslan + Partners
David Cockrell, Retired Architect, Cassidy + Ashton
Jonathan Carter, Director, Rolfe Judd Architecture
TBC, Preston City Council Representative
x3, Client Representatives
Joanne Wallis, RIBA Competitions (observer only)

Prize
Design contract
Phase 2 entry will each receive an honorarium of £4,000 +VAT.

Entry Fee
£35 +VAT

Timetable
Briefing for shortlisted designers: w/c 10 May 2021
Deadline for Phase 2 Designs: Tuesday 15 June 2021
Final Interviews/Presentations: w/c 21 June 2021
Notification and result announced: End June 2021

Organizer
RIBA Competitions

Official Website