"Ground Zero Mosque" plans revealed

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This artist rendering provided by SOMA Architects on Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, shows an interior view of the proposed Park51 community center and mosque.

NEW YORK – Conceptual sketches of the Islamic center planned two blocks from ground zero envision a futuristic-looking building wrapped in a honeycomb of abstract shapes, with a core containing far more space for secular pursuits than religious worship.

The renderings, some of which were posted on the project's website this week, are preliminary, but they project the development team's desire to build something cosmopolitan and fun on a site now known only for controversy.

...

The largest part of the building — four of 16 floors — would be taken up by a sports, fitness and swimming center. Another full floor would be occupied by a child care center and playground.

Much of the rest of the building would be occupied by a restaurant, culinary school, artist studios, exhibition space and an auditorium for cultural events.

El-Gamal said the idea was to build a facility that will attract neighborhood residents looking for a place to work out, as well as suburban Muslim couples spending "date night" in the city.

The building's prayer space for Muslims — the part of the center that has caused some critics to derisively brand the center the "ground zero mega mosque" — would be located on two levels in the basement. The 12th floor would hold a 9/11 memorial and sanctuary open to people of all faiths.

As for the look of the place, it could fit in fine as an annex to Superman's Fortress of Solitude, with white walls and floors and a crystalline feel.

Renderings by Soma Architects, a design studio that shares office space with El-Gamal's real estate company, show a building exterior that takes a traditional element of Islamic architecture — an arabesque pattern — and weaves it into a geometric mash-up that extends into the interior.

"We want to have a marriage between Islamic architecture and New York City. We want to do something that is green and cool," El-Gamal said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_nyc_mosque

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The horror!

[Obama 2012 1,714]

very unique building like that in the middle of that district, that close?

Looks more like a victory tower if they don't want to blend in.....

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Some people really do only have a one track mind when it comes to certain topics...

[Dakine 26]

Whoever controls the building of the mosque in that location is either EXTREMELY stupid or doesn't care if more Americans hate American muslims.

I imagine if built there will be many attempts to destroy the building.

Edited October 3, 2010 by Dakine

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Round and round we go...

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

.

Edited October 3, 2010 by Ron Burgundy

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Some people really do only have a one track mind when it comes to certain topics...

Indeed and welcome back.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Whoever controls the building of the mosque in that location is either EXTREMELY stupid or doesn't care if more Americans hate American muslims.

I imagine if built there will be many attempts to destroy the building.

These Muslims don't capitulate to ignorant, hateful bigots. I'm proud that the Muslims in charge of this project are behaving like responsible Americans and exercising their rights as community members, entrepreneurs and tough, long time New Yorkers. The narrow-minded bullies in the media who have relentlessly tried to marginalize Muslims as less than worthy of the kind of equal rights and equal opportunities that others enjoy deserve to be exposed as the liars and manipulators they are. Those who unquestioningly follow them should be ashamed of being so stupid.

I watched "60 Minutes" last week as the show presented a segment with Gamal showing how the plans for thr center are progressing and the dozens of men attending daily prayers there, as they have for a year. It was a reasonably balanced piece with both sides represented. Balance, objectivity and honesty would have served us all better throughout this debate; unfortunately, emotion and right wing propaganda elbowed their way to the forefront. However, they have still failed to stop progress, and that is as it should be.

Edited October 3, 2010 by Sofiyya

[Pooky 3,825]

On a complete incidental note, most construction companies will look at the design and say, "Crazy architect wants to build WHAT?"

The structure on the inside could be fairly routine, but the exterior glazing and detailing looks to be an architect's wildest dreams of abstract concepts made real - aka, a builder's absolute nightmare.

Look for a little less abstract art and a little more constructable realism when the final design comes along.

Edited October 3, 2010 by Pooky

[웃 910]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1317314/Ground-Zero-mosque-First-look-plans-New-York-Islamic-centre.html

[desert_fox 32]

I am appalled at all my friends who are so opposed to the mosque near ground zero. To show our tolerance, we should let them build. Then, right across the street, someone should put a topless bar, called "You Mecca Me Hot".Next to that should be a gay bar, "The Turban Cowboy". And next door to the mosque should be a pork-rib restaurant, maybe "Iraq o' Ribs"? That would allow the Muslims to show their tolerance.Problem solved.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Muslims in NYC are pretty immune to its decadence.

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Muslims in NYC are pretty immune to its decadence.

They participate in its decadence, actually.

[fozzie 41]

for the love of god/allah/whateversyourpoison! Will this topic not go away. Its a non-issue made into one by politicians and media. I thought we had moved onto socialism and tax rate issues. After all, we are and the media are very fickle and have short attention spans.