ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND MOSQUE ARCHITECTURE

Abstract

Mosques are significant religious and social buildings that represent Islamic cultural identity while serving large communities. With increasing concerns about energy consumption and environmental sustainability, improving the energy efficiency of mosque architecture has become an important area of research. Traditional mosque designs incorporated various passive strategies, such as natural ventilation, courtyards, shading devices, appropriate orientation, and locally available materials, which helped achieve thermal comfort with minimal energy use. However, many contemporary mosques rely heavily on mechanical cooling, artificial lighting, and energy-intensive systems due to modern construction practices and increasing user demands. This research explores the relationship between energy efficiency and mosque architecture by examining design principles, passive and active energy strategies, and sustainable approaches that can reduce energy consumption while maintaining architectural and functional requirements. The study investigates how elements such as building orientation, spatial organization, daylighting, ventilation systems, building materials, and renewable energy technologies contribute to improving mosque energy performance. Through literature review and analysis of selected case studies, the research identifies effective strategies for developing environmentally responsive mosque designs. The findings highlight the potential of integrating traditional Islamic architectural principles with modern sustainable technologies to create energy-efficient mosques that provide thermal comfort, reduce operational costs, and minimize environmental impact. The study provides recommendations for architects, designers, and policymakers to promote sustainable mosque development while preserving cultural and architectural values.