Amanah Saham Pahung Berhad (ASPA), the client, requested that the system of construction which would be used to erect a series of mosques throughout the state of Pahang should be designed to meet two criteria. Firstly, timber should be the prime material used and, secondly, the architectural vocabulary should reflect the indigenous structures of Pahang. Research indicated that Pahang history is closely linked to the Bugis people, who had migrated from the Makassar region of Sulawesi island, now part of Indonesia. Masjid Ende, the oldest mosque in Sulawesi, and the dwellings in surrounding villages all have pyramidal, pitched roof forms and this was taken as the inspiration for the form of the timber modular mosque. The design concept evolved from a mixture of the heritage of the Bugis people, Malaysian architectural heritage and climatic, construction and material constraints.
The timber modular mosque had to combine the essential requirement of providing prayer space with ease, economy and rapidity of construction. The dome was eliminated from the design at concept stage as such forms are alien to the Bugis people. The different mosque types are therefore based on a square plan with pyramidal, layered roofs with a ventilator at the apex. Verandahs may be added and the plan size adapted to suit site circumstances and the numbers of worshippers envisaged. The construction system is based on a simple post-and-beam system, pre-fabricated off-site and using standard components to ensure ease, economy and rapidity of construction. Large over-hanging eaves extend four feet (130 cm) to provide shade and shelter, this detail also reduces glare and provides indirect light. 100 cm wide louvre panels between the roof layers provide unimpeded air-flow and cross ventilation. The timber floor is raised from the ground on timber posts to increase ventilation, as wind velocity increases with height. The structures are roofed with deep-profile metal sheet which emulates the profile and texture of traditional roof tiles.
Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture
