Assessment of flooring design in Malaysian mosques

Abstract

On a global scale, mosque design has evolved considerably from the early designs of a modest and practical structure to a more monumental and sophisticated configuration in terms of layout and forms. Its function however, remains true as the House of God. Throughout the years, a mosque-i.e. masjid, has always been seen as the symbol of Islam, providing the congregational spaces for the community by the community. The community, as stakeholders for the establishment of the mosque, must be included in the design parameter considerations in the overall composition of the praying spaces, for the space that contributes to contemplation. A flooring design selection plays an integral part in the main praying hall as it is the very surface that the patrons are most in contact with, especially during prostrations. This research aims to study and assess flooring design in main praying halls of Malaysian mosques. A mixed qualitative and quantitative research method is used in this research through reviewing relevant literature including existing standard guidelines on mosques planning and design in Malaysia, flooring properties as a building material, on site observations of case studies of mosque in use, and interview-questionnaires of stakeholders at religious authorities and selected case studies of selected mosques in West Malaysia. Using trending and comparative method analysis, the findings shows that the there is a correlation on flooring design to stakeholders’ perception of comfort. Properties of a flooring design do influence the overall spatial experience in the praying hall. However, exposure to different types of flooring from different stakeholders, can hinder the users comfort -visually, physically and psychologically, in performing their prayers contemplatively. Although with limitation of time and resources, this research on flooring design for main prayer halls have helped to understand the aspect in flooring design, stakeholders as users and the value in their selection, in achieving a better indoor environment that considers both cultural and social values of the local community.