Midlands-based MADE Architecture was recently tasked with the design of a mixed-use community development centre containing a school, a Mosque, commercial and residential units, restaurants, and parking spaces. The building complex is located in the heart of Sparkbrook, Birmingham. The aim of this project was to create a community hub that is safe, welcoming, and provides multiple facilities for the local community. Graphisoft’s Archicad was instrumental in turning this concept into reality.
The beginning
The new development, which was commissioned by a local charity, started with the early design stages in January 2018. The client wanted a Mosque, a school, community centre, retail and restaurant spaces, as well as apartments. Initially, only six one- and two-bed apartments were planned, but thanks to support from the local authority who offered additional space, a total of 12 apartments were created in the end.
“We were lucky enough to get the support of the local authority for this redevelopment,” explained Nayan Padhiar, Architectural Assistant. “We were offered a gateway site that could vastly improve the local area if redeveloped. Given the cultural and civic important of this project, we were also extremely pleased to see positive feedback from the community and the local media who followed our story from the beginning. The extra apartments will breathe new life into the complex and turn it into a lively hub for the community.”
A modern take on Islamic architecture
The modern, contemporary style of the Mosque was designed with future generations in mind and is representative of British Islamic architecture trends. The complex design of the Mosque was achievable with the help of tools and features in Archicad. The concept was derived from a spiral and an egg-shaped form that would wrap around the development and would rotate on each floor to face the direction of prayers on the top floor.
“The design of the mosque was very ambitious in its aesthetics and creating the curtain wall was a complex endeavor,” reminisced Nayan. “The curtain wall tool came in useful in Archicad, as it enabled the concept to be achieved as per the design intent. The curved walls were created using the curtain wall tool which wraps around the building. The wand and the panel design was manipulated to achieve the desired geometric pattern of hexagons and triangles, which are a key Islamic design feature. The cladding on the curtain wall included clear glazing, frosted glazing, grey and bronze panels, which would all be placed throughout the Mosque to create atmospheric and spiritual lighting from within. Archicad allowed us to refine the hexagonal form and break it down to create various triangular forms.”
While the Mosque was designed with contemporary curves and glazing, the other buildings such as the school and retail and residential units were finished in facing brickwork that match their surroundings.
“Our goal was to ensure that the modern design concepts were present throughout the development, and to that end we used high-quality brickwork for a contemporary touch,” added Nayan. “In addition, the large fenestration along the building provide ample natural light and ventilation to the residential and the retail units, with deep reveals to create a game of shadows. The double-height glazed retail units provide an active street frontage to create a lively atmosphere and safer environment in the local area. Archicad gave us the possibility to design to the highest standard whilst keeping our unique aesthetic throughout the project. Another benefit of using Graphisoft’s software came from Archicad’s morph tool which allowed the team to create a sort of linear Islamic text and scripture which would normally be placed on a mosque frontgage.”
Green development and sustainability efforts
As the development was meant to reflect modern-day technology and environmental concerns, sustainability was at the heart of the design. MADE Architects proposed rainwater harvesting that allowed them to reuse as much surface water as possible for the facilites, in all of the buildings in the complex. The existing site does have a relatively high water table, so the rainwater harvesting method helps to address and take advantage of this for the development.
Other technologies that are currently being explored are the facade cladding where the glazing can be manipulated to control the amount of sunlight and solar gain within the Mosque. This helps prevent over-heating, as the site is mostly South facing. MADE architects are incredibly pleased and proud of this project, as the client had previously been unsuccessful in fulfilling the project prior to MADE’s involvement.
Archicad – at the heart of it all
“Archicad was particularly useful for us because we were able to work in 3D and at the same time visualise the buildings and show them to the client so they can understand the design”, said Nayam. “We wanted to be able to show them how the form is developing and to be able to describe the design process in great detail – and Archicad is extremely good at helping us achieve that unequivocal communication with the end
user.”
Through MADE’s progressive design, motivation, creativity and close working relationships with the local authority, MADE Architects are now in the process of turning their client’s dream into a reality that will benefit the local community and the city for generations to come. The construction works are expected to start in the summer of 2022 and finalise within 24 months.