Konya, Turkey: successfull and respectful restyling of the Bağışlayan mosque with Corian® Solid Surface

The Bağışlayan mosque, one of the many holy sites of the ancient city of Konya in Turkey, has recently undergone its first, extensive renovation after the building was constructed in 1975. For the large surfaces inside and outside of the mosque, high performance Corian® Solid Surface has been used in combination with wood to recreate the complex decorative motifs typical of the Islamic sacred architecture.

 

The Bağışlayan mosque in Konya, Turkey featuring wall cladding made with Corian® Solid Surface (Witch Hazel colour); photo courtesy of Fatih Aydın, all rights reserved.

 

The city of Konya was the capital of first Turkish dynasties back in 11th century and is known as one of the most religious city in Turkey. In this divine city, holy places are precious and one of them is the Bağışlayan mosque that was becoming outdated in an area subjected to urban transformation and modernization. The necessary funds for the remodelling were donated by of a local family who made it possible for worshippers to come to pray in a freshly refurbished mosque.

 

The Bağışlayan mosque in Konya, Turkey featuring wall cladding made with Corian® Solid Surface (Witch Hazel colour); photo courtesy of Fatih Aydın, all rights reserved.

 

For the large entrance door, the interior cladding of the qibla wall, the mihrab niche and the balustrade inside Bağışlayan, the Witch Hazel colour of Corian® Solid Surface was used, creating a light and elegant contrast with wood. This colour from the Earth heritage collection of Corian® Solid Surface has light neutral, tonal veins that swirl through a light translucent base with a range of light particles. For the decorative surfaces made with Corian® Solid Surface, geometric patterned ornament has been achieved by perforating or engraving them through CNC technology. The resulting large wall and door cladding exploit the material versatility which has been thermoformed into the desired shapes to give perfectly rounded edges.

 

The Bağışlayan mosque in Konya, Turkey featuring a balustrade made with Corian® Solid Surface (Witch Hazel colour); photo courtesy of Fatih Aydın, all rights reserved.

 

For many years to come, the high resistance of Corian® Solid Surface to scratches, damages and UV rays as well as its easy maintenance and durability will allow the Bağışlayan mosque aesthetics and functionality to stand the test of time.

The Bağışlayan mosque in Konya, Turkey featuring wall cladding made with Corian® Solid Surface (Witch Hazel colour); photo courtesy of Fatih Aydın, all rights reserved.

 

The Bağışlayan mosque in Konya, Turkey featuring an entrance door made with Corian® Solid Surface (Witch Hazel colour); photo courtesy of Fatih Aydın, all rights reserved.

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