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Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, passed by Sa’d while he was performing ablution. The Prophet said, “What is this extravagance?” Sa’d said, “Is there extravagance with water in ablution?” The Prophet said, “Yes, even if you were on the banks of a flowing river.” — Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 425

Our technologically futuristic, Zorays Solar Pakistan with its partners viz. Royal Estate Marketing and Surblund Consultants invites budding architects from all accross Pakistan to come up with futuristic solar powered mosque designs to aim at every sort of energy conservation possible.

Solar Powered Mosque Scope:

The idea is to merge the two main elements of the mosque: the “Mimber” and the “Gunbad”. The first indicates the direction where to pray and the second creates the huge space where people feel they belong to the same community. From a geometric point of view the mosque should be seen as a centric part of the community, but at the same time as the community facing the Kiblah it should be well alligned for solar panel integration. Also, the buildings are to designed for low cost of maintenance.

Design Criteria with Solar Compatibility:

The prayer hall is to be divided into two separated rooms in order to organize a smaller area to pray from Monday to Thursday and a bigger one to fit more prayers during Friday and festivals. Both spaces need to be designed on multiple levels to accomodate men and women at different levels. The access is at the underground level where ancillary spaces are placed and the entrance to the Mosque is at the ground floor. In the rest of the underground areas are educational, social, administrative and commercial areas, separeted from the sacred space above. The design project should aim to create a monumental and iconic building.

What is Required for Submission?

You are required to create your 3D renditions on any renowned platform: AutoCAD Architecture, SketchUp, AutoCAD or likes. The project could be tweeks of your previously done project and you need not do it afresh. Submissions from the past are also acceptable as long as they commensurate with the criterian laid above.

Who are the Judges of Solar Powered Mosque Design Competition?

The project will be judged by our Partners at Mr. Raheel Ahmed, CEO, Royal Estate Marketing; Mr. Haroon, COO, Surblund Consultants, and Ms. Hinna Zahir, Urban & Infrastructure Planner, Germany. Do you know that over half off the expenditures of running a mosque are directed towards maintaining lethargic UPS setups. These UPSs waste twice much energy to produce one unit of it. That is why project should also use a passive energetic approach thanks to its orientation while focussing majorly on using azimuth adjustments to make full use of the sun. The rostrum wall should work as a huge greenhouse element that captures heat and releases it to the interior when needed in cold periods.

Who can Participate in this Solar Powered Mosque Design Submission?

Minimum Criterion: Aspiring candidates with Bachelors in Architecture. This new mosque should establish an urban icon that welcomes muslims faithfuls and other users or tourists creating a unifying space for all.

How to Submit Solar Design?

You will upload your files to Google Drive and share with download permissions with: hello@zorays.com. Once done comment below with your file Title (keep it neat and clean). The shape of the whole envelope is designed such as a “double-skin” that generates a circular space all around the prayer hall. In this space are circulations and the technological energy solutions to be installed by Zorays Solar Pakistan. These solar panels should face the sun rays during the day from the morning to the end of the day. Also, one important design consideration is to avoid the direct passage of sunlight creating indirect illumination and allow the view to outside.

Deadlines and Judgement Criteria:

Entries should be made before 23 January, Sunday 23:59 Hours P.S.T. The posts will be posted on all our social media platforms for the concurrent week coming ahead and combined with the judges scores (uniqueness, accuracy to the guidelines, financial viability, innovation and futurism) and the appreciation they receive, three shortlisted candidates will be announced publically on 31st January.

Winner Accolade:

The project should become Urban Fulcrum to the modesty of oft-admired Mughal Contemporary Architect as it ought to integrate solar PV panels to the space available. With different orientations, multiple Maximum Power Point Trackers will be required, plus the shading issues should be taken into consideration all the time. So minarate has to be adjusted. One successful candidate will be given a Job Offer by Surblund Consultants (Subject to 10 Day Probation before Official Hiring) to join their permanent team.

Some Useful Links:

Disclaimer: The judges hold the eventual decision making authority to accept or let go of the entries.

 

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