Yulia Eka Putrie, Indonesia
Masjid Kampus UGM is the campus mosque of Gadjah Mada University, sited in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The mosque is interesting because it is one of the examples of Indonesian tropical mosques which blends universality of Islamic values and locality of Indonesian social and ecological context in its architecture.
Universality of Islamic values for example appears in the openness of the mosque building for social interactions for the surrounding community from any social status and economic level. The openness of this building can be seen from its low and transparent courtyard border. The main prayer hall is also wide opened without walls in its both north and south sides. The human scale of the entire mosque building is another form of the application of modesty and humility values in Islam, which also strengthens the welcoming atmosphere for its users. Moreover, in this mosque architecture we can also notice a good example of the compatibility between beauty and function, which is also one of the lessons in the Qur’an and the whole universe. The exploration of aesthetic aspects in the mosque is well-considered with the values of moderation and functionality in Islam, where nothing is left disadvantageous and excessive.
Meanwhile, the local social and ecological context, as we know, is wide accepted as one of the considerations in islamic architecture as long as it is not in contrast with islamic values and principles. In this mosque building we can see some creative developments of Indonesian traditional architecture, such as the development of the roof shape, the development of the vast serambi (terrace) as the main prayer hall, and the development of the trees canopied courtyards. Most of these local forms were also considered as an appropriate response to the tropical climate. Futhermore, the use of local materials which were produced by the local communities is also one of the principles of locality which is congruent with islamic value of social responsibility to help the poor.
Explanations on the pictures:
Picture 1. The east side of the mosque is served as the front facade and the main entrance, yet the users frequently enter the mosques from the north and south sides.
Picture 2. The north side coutryard, full of trees and equiped with a shady portico.
Picture 3. One of the mosque’s corners, frequently used by the students to take a rest or discuss in a group. The mihrab can be seen from this part of the mosque because it is wide opened, creating a continuing connection between the courtyard, the terrace, and the prayer hall.
Picture 4. The shape of the roof is the modification of the familiar pyramid-shape roof in the traditional Javanese mosques.
Picture 5. The portico at the north and south sides were made more spacious in order to support small trade activities such as islamic books, clothes, videos, etc.
Picture 6. The ecological responsibility of architecture is performed in the form of the green courtyards.
Picture 7. View from the prayer hall to the outside. A man seems to take a rest at the lower part of the floor.
Picture 8. The interior of the mosque. During the daytime, the prayer hall is well-lit by the natural lighting.
Picture 9. One of the source of natural lighting is the transparent roof cover and the windows under the roof.
Picture 10. The dynamic light reflection during daytime creates the dynamic sense of space.
Picture 11. The local and small industry materials were employed in the mosque.