The Salman mosque: Achmad Noe'man's critique of Indonesian conventional mosque architecture

Abstract

The Salman Mosque, designed by Achmad Noe'man, was a striking Islamic architectural design in the 1960s when it was built. Unlike the conventional mosques, particularly in Indonesia, it has no dome. Instead, the roof was made of prestressed concrete and resembles a canoe. Using data drawn from field observations, this paper explores the architectural characteristics of the Salman Mosque as a product of Modern architecture. It argues that the domeless mosque, the simple minaret, the wooden wall panels and floor, the women's balcony, and the roof demonstrate architectural modernism, as opposed to the conventional mosque typology that flourished in Indonesia at the time. This paper further argues that the Salman Mosque is Noe'man's critique of the Indonesian conventional mosque architecture. It concludes that the architectural features of the Salman Mosque reflects Noe'man's modern vision of Islam and Islamic architecture.