Punchbowl Mosque is a mosque located in the Sydney suburb of Punchbowl, in the state of New South Wales, Australia designed by Greek-Australian architect Angelo Candalepas.[1][2]

Punchbowl Mosque
Religion
AffiliationIslam
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusMosque
OwnershipAustralian Islamic Mission
StatusActive
Location
LocationMatthews Street, Punchbowl, Sydney, New South Wales
Country Australia
Geographic coordinates33°55′38″S 151°03′27″E / 33.92718°S 151.05740°E / -33.92718; 151.05740
Architecture
Architect(s)Angelo Candalepas
TypeMosque
Groundbreaking2015 (2015)
Completed2019 (2019)
Construction costA$12 million
Dome(s)
  • 1 main dome;
  • 102 mini domes
Building details
Map
Awards and prizesSir John Sulman Medal (2018)

The building features a large central dome and 102 smaller concrete domes decorated with Islamic calligraphy depicting the 99 names of Allah.[3] The mosque's use of exposed concrete has been likened to Brutalism, although some have pushed back against the distinction.[4]

The project originally began in 1996 when the Muslim community purchased three neighboring properties to replace a rented space. Gaining approval for the project took a total 17 years; the process was delayed significantly by objection from local government officials. Construction on the building was further delayed due to the discovery of a water table, continued objection from the Canterbury council, and difficulty gaining visas for calligraphers scheduled to decorate the building.[5]

The building received the 2018 Sir John Sulman Medal.[6]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Smith, John (22 May 2018). "Meet the Greek Australian Who Designed the 'Aussie Mosque'". Greek Reporter Australia. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  2. ^ Hegarty, Siobhan (20 May 2018). "Ramadan opening still possible for mosque 23 years in the making". The Spirit of Things; ABC News. Australia. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  3. ^ Mudditt, Jessica (1 January 2018). "Inside Australia's 99-domed mosque". CNN Style. CNN. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  4. ^ "The Aussie mosque that broke the mould". Radio National. 18 May 2018. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  5. ^ Things, Siobhan Hegarty for The Spirit of (20 May 2018). "The new mosque that 'freaked out' its Greek-Orthodox architect". ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Peek inside the 99-domed Punchbowl Mosque in Sydney by Candalepas Associates". Archinect. Retrieved 25 February 2019.