Category: Religious
Type: Mosque
Location: Altunizade, Üsküdar
Date: 2011-2015
Designer: Muharrem Hilmi Şenalp (Hassa Architecture)
Period: Republic of Türkiye
Photos: Hassa Architecture (hassa.com)
The Marmara University Faculty of Theology Mosque and Cultural Center, located in the Altunizade district of Istanbul, represents a sophisticated reinterpretation of classical Ottoman architectural heritage through the lens of modern engineering and materials. Designed by architect Hilmi Şenalp, the 30,000 square meter complex features a subterranean social hub with classrooms and libraries beneath a dodecagonal mosque that accommodates 4,500 worshipers. The structure is defined by its 35-meter-high steel-framed dome, which draws inspiration from cosmic spirals, fractal geometry, and the traditional swallow ceiling technique to symbolize the concept of unity in diversity. Eschewing the superficial dichotomy between classical and modern styles, the project utilizes symbolic proportions based on the traditional arşın measurement system and ebced values—such as 66 for the minaret height referencing the name of Allah—to ground its contemporary steel-and-glass construction in spiritual depth. By integrating traditional Turkish triangles with light-filled, transparent volumes, the mosque serves as a bridge between a thousand-year-old architectural legacy and the functional needs of a bustling urban university campus.
