July 27 2020

Perth Islamic Society has lodged proposals to build a new mosque and community centre on former industrial land at 43-51 Jeanfield Road.

The first purpose-built mosque in the city seeks to balance its civic importance with its suburban surroundings by utilising a 2m drop in levels to accommodate an additional floor to the rear while keeping the overall massing in step with the ridgeline of adjoining houses.

This rear element will house a community centre with its own independent access while the prayer hall and double-height foyer dominate the frontage. Led by MakeSpace Architects the mosque follows principles set out in recent mosques in Aberdeen and East London to establish a new mosque architecture that reflects both Celtic and Islamic heritage.

In a statement of intent, Shahed Saleem of MakeSpace wrote: "The building is styled to reflect its Scottish and Islamic heritages. Islamic pattern work is taken as the basis for the facade treatment, and this is abstracted to also reflect Celtic and geometric pattern work. In this way, the building is a contemporary and multi-cultural interpretation of traditional influences."

Fashioned from cast stone the mosque will display intricate geometric patterns.

4 Comments

#1 Posted by Dermot O'Reilly on 28 Jul 2020 at 00:03 AM

It's a nice design, but the design doesn't really blend in with the style of houses in the street.

#2 Posted by Dave on 28 Jul 2020 at 16:53 PM

Its hideous! Reminds me of 90's supermarket design - anybody know the former supermarket building thats now Moray Council HQ in Elgin...?

#3 Posted by Damp Proof Membrane on 29 Jul 2020 at 13:09 PM

I don't think it matters that it doesn't blend in with the style of the houses, it's a specific building type, a place of worship. What if it was a library, are we expecting that to look like a cottage dwelling? I think the thing to focus on is the detailing, I'd guess it's not going to weather well at all.

#4 Posted by Finners on 29 Jul 2020 at 21:32 PM

Not sure about the Celtic part but I think it could do with a nice tree outside.

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