Lancashire Mosque — Preston, UK
with Twelve Forty One (UK) and Borough Architects (UK)

The intention of the design is to create a mosque of the highest quality, using strong and bold design moves, creating architecture which is identifiable as a place of worship. The proposed architecture of the mosque takes into account Islamic cultural influences while creating a modern landmark for the area. The building is designed to have a clear focal point and identifiable massing, giving character and visibility to the structure from a distance. Arranged into 2 blocks with a lightweight foyer space as a connecting element. 

The first block, which hosts the supporting facilities, is designed as a single-story linear block, creating a clear sequence of spaces. The second block, which hosts the prayer facilities, is designed as a three-story structure, giving these spaces the visual prominent and the expression of hierarchy. The open space in between the blocks leading to the foyer is designed as an external evergreen courtyard area. This courtyard is forming part of the public realm and it is available for informal meetings and relaxation while also creating a calm visual backdrop to the internal spaces of the mosque. The proposed materiality of the building takes in consideration the sustainability and future maintenance and operating costs of the building. Both the supporting activities block and the prayer area block are cladded in locally sourced high-quality brick, creating a strong and identifiable architecture.
 The design of the mosque is taking into consideration the RIBA sustainable guide as a reference for a good practice on how to meet the RIBA 2030 climate change targets including the net zero operational carbon, net zero embodied carbon, sustainable water cycle, sustainable land use and biodiversity, good health and wellbeing and sustainable life cycle cost. 

The building is aiming to maximize the on-site renewable energy in order to meet the operational zero carbon balance and to achieve a level of energy performance in-use in line with the national climate change targets. The building is designed to minimize the footprint of the construction while maximizing flat roofs where green roofs and roof mounted PV panels can be located. To support the operational energy of the building, the fabric u-values, air tightness and thermal bridging will be considered to be of high performance. The proposal is aiming to provide a good balance between daylight and overheating, taking into consideration the orientation of the building, percentage of openings along the facades, openable windows and cross ventilation and shadings systems.