The project proposed for the Central Mosque of Pristina, has the ambition to bring to the surface the co-existence of Islamic and roman/Cristian culture in this part of the world. Beside the aim of uniting different cultures, the main other guideline of our project is the idea of modernity. This now abused word has for us a very precise meaning; it means spending a great deal of attention to current matters like eco-sustainability, new technologies, and especially to new aesthetic ideas, characteristic of ever changing era we find ourselves living in. The result is a building that welcomes all those classic elements which by now are part of the semiotics of mosque architecture and adding a modern twist, an opining towards the contributions offered by contemporary architecture. The natural illumination has been studied to be efficient from an energy saving standpoint. The mesh casing, constituted in modular elements of steel covered in paintable aluminum foil, creat triangular holes closed with laminated glass. Most of light comes from the top of the building, while on the side of the Qibla it creates an effect that appears to be a direct manifestation of the mystery of the Muslim faith.

Client: Islamic Community (Pristina)

Project Leader: Arch. Abbass Khamiss (INEA);

Team: Arch. Gianluca D’Inca, Arch. Carlo Volken