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ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL DESIGN IN EGYPT’S CONTEMPORARY MOSQUES: TRADITION, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE
Abstract
This study investigates the architectural evolution of mosques, highlighting their transformation from purely liturgical spaces to community centers that embody regional identities across the Islamic world. The research examines the impact of socioeconomic transformations, from the Industrial Revolution to Modernism and Postmodernism, on mosque architecture, establishing a nuanced interplay with heritage continuity in addition to contextual adaptation. It specifically addresses those difficulties encountered by modern Egyptian mosque architecture via maintaining traditional elements from the Prophet’s Medina prototype while responding to current environmental, technological, and societal demands.
Utilizing a mixed-methods research framework that includes qualitative spatial analysis, field-based case studies, and environmental performance assessments, all informed by a critical review, the study integrates insights from semi-structured interviews with architects and congregants to enhance understanding of community engagement and the experiences of mosque users. Findings suggest that a performance-oriented design approach, rooted in cultural continuity yet adaptable to local needs, can effectively reconcile the tensions between historic architectural typologies and modern imperatives.
The paper concludes with evidence-based design guidelines tailored to Egypt’s unique context, advocating for solutions that harmonize aesthetic heritage with sustainability, thermal comfort, and inclusivity. By situating these findings within broader discourses on Islamic architectural innovation, this research contributes to interdisciplinary dialogues on culturally grounded design in an era of accelerated urban and climatic change.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
This study did not involve human participants or animals.
Thanks
I would like to thank Dr. Murat KARADEMIR for their assistance with support.
References
- Abass, F., Ismail, I.H. and Solla, M. 2016, “A Review of Courtyard House: History Evolution Forms, and Functions”, Arpn Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 11(4), 2557-2563.
- Adi, S.M. 2016, “Mosque as a Model of Learning Principles of Sustainable Architecture”, Journal of Islamic Architecture, 4(1), 33.
- Ali, H. 2021, Contemporary Mosque Architecture in Egypt and Iran (a comparative analysis), the American university, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, (Unpublished Thesis of Master), Cairo.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Art History
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
December 25, 2025
Submission Date
November 11, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 11, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 10 Number: 19
APA
Abdelfatah, M., & Karademir, M. (2025). ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL DESIGN IN EGYPT’S CONTEMPORARY MOSQUES: TRADITION, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE. Amisos, 10(19), 169-184. https://doi.org/10.48122/amisos.1821979
AMA
1.Abdelfatah M, Karademir M. ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL DESIGN IN EGYPT’S CONTEMPORARY MOSQUES: TRADITION, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE. Amisos. 2025;10(19):169-184. doi:10.48122/amisos.1821979
Chicago
Abdelfatah, Mai, and Murat Karademir. 2025. “ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL DESIGN IN EGYPT’S CONTEMPORARY MOSQUES: TRADITION, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE”. Amisos 10 (19): 169-84. https://doi.org/10.48122/amisos.1821979.
EndNote
Abdelfatah M, Karademir M (December 1, 2025) ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL DESIGN IN EGYPT’S CONTEMPORARY MOSQUES: TRADITION, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE. Amisos 10 19 169–184.
IEEE
[1]M. Abdelfatah and M. Karademir, “ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL DESIGN IN EGYPT’S CONTEMPORARY MOSQUES: TRADITION, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE”, Amisos, vol. 10, no. 19, pp. 169–184, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.48122/amisos.1821979.
ISNAD
Abdelfatah, Mai - Karademir, Murat. “ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL DESIGN IN EGYPT’S CONTEMPORARY MOSQUES: TRADITION, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE”. Amisos 10/19 (December 1, 2025): 169-184. https://doi.org/10.48122/amisos.1821979.
JAMA
1.Abdelfatah M, Karademir M. ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL DESIGN IN EGYPT’S CONTEMPORARY MOSQUES: TRADITION, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE. Amisos. 2025;10:169–184.
MLA
Abdelfatah, Mai, and Murat Karademir. “ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL DESIGN IN EGYPT’S CONTEMPORARY MOSQUES: TRADITION, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE”. Amisos, vol. 10, no. 19, Dec. 2025, pp. 169-84, doi:10.48122/amisos.1821979.
Vancouver
1.Mai Abdelfatah, Murat Karademir. ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL DESIGN IN EGYPT’S CONTEMPORARY MOSQUES: TRADITION, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE. Amisos. 2025 Dec. 1;10(19):169-84. doi:10.48122/amisos.1821979