‘Bait-ur-Raiyan’ Mosque

The ‘Bait-ur-Raiyan’ Mosque, designed by ‘Cube-in-Side’ Architectural Consultant, has been awarded in the ‘Public Architecture’ category of the ‘DNA Paris Design Award 2025’. It is undoubtedly a matter of pride in the architectural history of Bangladesh.

The main designers of the ‘Bait-ur-Raiyan’ Mosque are Architect Khandaker Ashifuzzaman, Architect Shakhawat Hossain Rocky. The members of the design team were Architect Mehri Farnaz, Architect Anis Khan Shanto, Architect Abdullah Al Jaber.

‘Bait-ur-Raiyan’ is a small mosque, which is located in a typical rural location on the banks of the Arial Kha river. This mosque is built using local materials for the community as a ‘Human-centric design’.

Bird's eye view of 'Bait-ur-Raiyan’ Mosque

Interior view of 'Bait-ur-Raiyan’ Mosque

Symbolic imagery through geometric patterns is an essential feature of Islamic art and architecture. Islam prescribes symbolic or suggestive representations rather than literal ones. For this reason, geometric patterns play an important role in mosque design. In this particular mosque, the designers get the opportunity to practice the concept of mosque architecture, ‘Abstract Semiotics’ (expressing specific meanings through signs and symbols), through the traditional symbolic elements of mosque construction, such as domes, minarets, arches, etc.

The single-storied, rectangular mosque symbolises ‘stability’. The mosque uses red bricks and stone, in keeping with the age-old tradition of Bangladeshi mosques. The dark red bricks provide a subtle contrast to the surrounding greenery. The floor, made of porous marble, remains cool even during the blistering summer heat waves.

In addition to the direct light entering from the north and south openings, some indirect light penetrates from one end of the walls and dome to the other, enhancing the spirituality of the mosque.