Glenn Murcutt’s Australian Islamic Centre is explored with a preceding exhibition

Exhibition at Australian Islamic Centre
Renowned architect Glenn Murcutt’s new Australian Islamic Centre at Hobsons Bay is being celebrated with a new exhibition titled ‘Architecture of Faith’
(Image credit: Sean Fennessy)

To celebrate the near completion of Australian architect Glenn Murcutt’s Australian Islamic Centre – located at Hobsons Bay, Melbourne – the National Gallery of Victoria has unveiled its newest exhibition, titled ‘Architecture of Faith’, which will expose the multi-layered process behind the Centre’s creation.

Throughout the build, Pritzker Prize-winner Murcutt worked closely with Hakan Elevli of Melbourne practice Elevli Plus and the Newport Islamic Council, also calling upon the consultation of Islamic architects, imams and the local community. This constant communication with the Centre’s future visitors consequently led to the creation of a highly functional, communal space which provides a new type of architectural language for Australian Islam.

Noticeably lacking a minaret or dome, the Centre is a bright and colourful creation, featuring a roof studded with multicoloured glass lanterns. Murcutt’s design hoped to push the architectural envelope, whilst simultaneously respecting the fundamental principles and requirements of traditional Islamic architecture, to envision a contemporary, accessible place of worship.

Showcasing over 200 original sketches by Murcutt, ‘Architecture of Faith’ will reveal the history of and people involved in the Centre’s ten-year conception. The exhibition will illustrate Murcutt's multilayered design via a presentation of architectural drawings, plans, photographs, scale models and documentation of the nearly completed complex.

Even though the Australian Islamic Centre is due to open later this year, ‘Architecture of Faith’ will provide its future visitors with an early inside glimpse into the project from a variety of perspectives. The exhibit hopes to highlight the various contributions the project will make to the surrounding community and its ability to foster intercultural understanding.

exhibition interior

The exhibition will showcase the collaborative efforts behind the creation of this contemporary place of worship

(Image credit: Sean Fennessy)

Roof multicoloured glass lanterns

Noticeably lacking a minaret or dome, the Centre is a bright and colourful creation, featuring a roof studded with multicoloured glass lanterns

(Image credit: Sean Fennessy)

Pritzker Prize-winner Murcutt and Hakan Elevli

Pictured here, Pritzker Prize-winner Murcutt and Hakan Elevli of Melbourne practice Elevli Plus, who worked together to envision the design and construction of the Centre

(Image credit: Sean Fennessy)

sketches on wall

Showcasing over 200 original sketches by Murcutt, ‘Architecture of Faith’ will reveal the history of and people involved in the Centre’s ten-year conception

(Image credit: Sean Fennessy)

exhibition with Murcutt’s multilayered design via a presentation of architectural drawings, plans, photographs, scale models

The exhibition will illustrate Murcutt’s multilayered design via a presentation of architectural drawings, plans, photographs, scale models and documentation of the nearly completed complex

(Image credit: Sean Fennessy)

INFORMATION

’Architecture of Faith’ is on view until 19 February 2017. For more information, visit the National Gallery of Victoria’s website

Photography: Sean Fennessy

ADDRESS

National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda Road
Melbourne VIC 3006

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