The realization is gradually dawning in Europe that many immigrants from Muslim countries are here to stay and are seeking to be naturalized— and therefore have the right to build buildings in which to practice their religion. The current building activities frequently cause tension, also for esthetic reasons, within society well into the mosque associations. The question of how the structure and appearance of a mosque can gain acceptance by society is a subject of heated debate especially in Western Europe.
14 interior architect students from RheinMain University have pursued this question and studied the traditional spatial concepts of mosques creatively. The range of ideal-typical designs shows not only the rich design potential harbored by this construction task, but also how contact between Islam and a western context could lead to a new, intercultural architecture, which reflects the reality of our living environment, without compromising commitment to tradition.
