Project Year
2022-2023
Project Type
Competition
Project Name
The Passage Islamic Center
Location
Istanbul, TURKIYE

THE PASSAGE ISLAMIC CENTER

The Passage Islamic Center is a conceptual architectural competition proposal developed as a comprehensive religious, educational, and community complex. The project brings together a central mosque, a traditional madrasa, public gathering spaces, landscaped courtyards, and commercial areas designed to support both the spiritual and everyday social life of the community.

The core architectural concept is defined by the central passage with its sloped roof, conceived as a symbolic threshold between two different realms. On one side, the commercial and public functions represent everyday life and the earthly world; on the other, the mosque and religious spaces represent worship, reflection, and spiritual retreat. Passing through this transitional space creates a deliberate architectural journey from the secular to the sacred.

The madrasa complex reinforces the traditional role of the Islamic center as a place not only for prayer, but also for learning, cultural exchange, and community life. Courtyards, shaded walkways, geometric screens, water elements, and carefully controlled natural light reinterpret familiar principles of Islamic architecture through a contemporary design language.

The surrounding shopping areas are integrated into the masterplan as active community spaces, creating a self-sustaining urban destination while maintaining a clear spatial and symbolic hierarchy around the mosque. The overall proposal seeks to balance faith, education, commerce, and public life within one coherent architectural composition.

  • Mosque, Madrasa & Community Complex

  • Symbolic Passage Between Sacred & Secular

  • Integrated Religious, Educational & Commercial Masterplan