A Secular and Religious Complex Fostering Community’s Strength

Hikma Community Complex is a renovation project to transform a derelict mosque into a library, serving as a culture and education hub where the secular and religious peacefully co-exist to cultivate minds and strengthen the community.

Hikma Community Complex by Atelier Masomi, Photo by James Wang

Led by Atelier Masomi, this project was inspired by the story of the 9th century AD, when Muslim scholars made remarkable contributions to the sciences and humanities in Bagdad’s Bayt al-Hikma, or House of Wisdom. It was a library and research center housing the world’s largest collection of books for scholars to engage in both theological and scientific matters. The values of this story then were adapted to the Hikma project. With the support of local leaders, women, and youth, the Hikma project tried to transform a derelict mosque into a library that shares its site with a new mosque for the village of Dandaji in Niger.

Hikma Community Complex by Atelier Masomi, Photo by James Wang

The presence of this new library in Dandaji which has low literacy rates and high economic vulnerability, will be impactful for its community. This library provides various books, a computer lab, and quiet study spaces to improve reading and vocabulary skills for the community.

The Hikma project aims to address the community’s challenges of low literacy rates and economic vulnerability, Photo by James Wang

Hikma Community Complex by Atelier Masomi, Photo by James Wang

The building uses Compressed Earth Bricks (CEB) made with laterite soil found on site to manage the building’s thermal comfort. With locally sourced materials, the construction phase doesn’t consume a lot of carbon emissions. Meanwhile, instead of using the region’s traditional and scarce wood, the interior was designed using metal material that was applied for study spaces, partitions, stairs, and a mezzanine level. The usage of metal material also adds a contemporary touch to the traditional space.

the Hikma project fosters a harmonious coexistence between the secular and the religious, Photo by James Wang

The Library of Hikma Community Complex by Atelier Masomi, Photo by James Wang

Inside Hikma Community Complex by Atelier Masomi, Photo by James Wang

Inside Hikma Community Complex by Atelier Masomi, Photo by James Wang

The Interior renovation of the complex juxtaposes traditional and contemporary elements, Photo by James Wang

In addition, the thermal mass of the CEBs and natural ventilation help keep the indoor temperatures comfortable and minimize the use of the artificial cooling system. The extensive plants also help to create a cool atmosphere around the site. Furthermore, this building also features a water reservoir that captures the rainy season downpours to provide fresh water in the dry season. With these special features, the Hikma Community Complex becomes an impactful architecture for the people.

The complex utilizes natural ventilation to create comfortable indoor temperatures, Photo by James Wang

Hikma Community Complex by Atelier Masomi, Photo by Mariam Issoufou

Hikma Community Complex by Atelier Masomi, Photo by James Wang

Hikma Community Complex by Atelier Masomi, Photo by James Wang