This is a mosque was designed by Emre Arolat Architecture by request of the Sancaklar Family who wanted a mosque overlooking the Buyukcekmece Lake just west of Istanbul Turkey. The mosque is embedded into the side of the hill so as to preserve the sense of belonging that this structure is part of the hill itself. The outside of the mosque is also built with light grey stone to further preserve the sense of nature and simplicity. The interior of the mosque is built in such a way that it seems to resemble a cave with its cascading stone ceilings and solid rock walls with soft lighting so as to create a feeling of peaceful worship. Due to the structure being made of natural materials and built partially within a hill is has natural insulation against heat transfer so as to lower energy costs.

I decided to add another library by FJMT because it is interesting the two structures they went with.  In my blog 7, the library they designed was designed for the use of the general public. This library was designed for the use of students at the University of Sydney. It is a complete redesign from the other and I believe it incorporates the Universities style into its design. It is small yet open due to the use of glass in this project and takes over every ones point of views while walking by with its unique structure. There is nothing else like it in the world.

This beautiful library makes its home in Sydney, Australia. Just from the outside view, you can see how its luxurious design can make you feel. To me, it looks like no other library I have ever seen before and it would draw me to it in order to get work done. The first thing I notice that is important for a library to have is a lot of open space and windows. This allows the people inside to feel open and less trapped. The design feature and all glass exterior and from the outside in you are able to see the many sitting points they have available. I would love to be able to walk in this place one day.

This is another project the firm worked on. It is a beautiful and stunning piece that portrays exactly what it is supposed to. With it being a memorial, they offer very soft lighting under neath where the names are portrayed in honored memory. With it being outside, it offers a freeing feeling to the viewers along with water to offer the viewers a feeling of tranquility. All these parts play a huge role into the beauty of the project.

This building is a business college in New Zealand that made FJMT famous. FJMT is a firm “dedicated to design excellence and the enhancement of the public domain”(FJMTStudio.com). The business school is a wonderful example of a stunning piece of architecture that draws eyes to its minimalist yet complex design. It also incorporates a stunning amount of natural light with the amount of windows used on this project. I must say, going to school here looks like it would bring happiness with it. It is important to not as well that as you look to the front of the building, it overlooks the Auckland Harbor which the firm brings to life with the building.

Carme Pinos is a spanish Architect, who is widely known for designing the Igualada Cemetery. This cemetery is one of the most poetic works of architecture in the 20th century. Enric Miralles, who also helped design the cemetery along with Pinos was buried in this cemetery after his death in the year 2000. Their design was an attempt to link the cycle of life with the past, present and future. I believe they did a great job because it looks like a real city of the dead. I think they did well provoking the thoughts and memories of people who visit this cemetery.

The Kolumba Art Museum of the Cologne Archdiocese– Peter Zumthor, Cologne, Germany

The Kolumba Art Museum is located in Cologne Germany, and it houses the large art collection of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese (Cilento 2010). Cologne was ravaged by WWII, and this museum sits on the site of a late- Gothic church. Zumthor, like in many of his architectural projects, used fragments and stone ruins from the church that used to stand in its place in the construction of the museum to preserve the historical significance of the area. The entirety of the building is made of a custom grey brick, which makes the museum very contemporary in appearance, but also peaceful.

The museum has 16 exhibition rooms, and a garden courtyard at the center. Because of the grey brick making up most of the infrastructure, it seems pretty plain and simple on the inside, but being a museum, its appropriate because the art should be the main focus. The lighting throughout is more diffused with spotlights on the art pieces, giving the building an overall ethereal and spiritual feeling, which is to be expected due to the art being from the Archdiocese.

Cilento, K. (2010, August 6). Kolumba Museum / Peter Zumthor. Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/72192/kolumba-musuem-peter-zumthor

All of the photos are from the above article, taken by Jose Fernando Vasquez in 2007