Nada Debs converts abandoned mosque into Uzbek crafts centre
Lebanese designer Nada Debs has turned the former Okhun Gozar Mosque in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, into an exhibition space where the historic architecture provides a backdrop for contemporary craft objects.
Debs was commissioned by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation to transform the disused 18th-century building e into a space for presenting local crafts, including ceramics, embroidery, woodcarving and jewellery.
The mosque was historically a social hub for the community, and the renovation project sought to extend this role while supporting new uses such as hosting exhibitions, gatherings and educational events.
"The brief was not to transform the building into something completely new, but to reveal its potential as a place of cultural continuity – where traditional Uzbek craftsmanship could be experienced in a contemporary way," Debs said.
Although the building had been abandoned, its structure remained largely intact.
Debs set out to preserve and amplify its existing architectural features, including cupolas and arches that lend the interior a sense of spatial rhythm while nodding to Tashkent's history as a key hub on the Silk Road – the ancient trade route linking Asia with the West.
"The goal of the space was to create a mood that draws from the spirit of the Silk Road," she told Dezeen.
"This is expressed through material warmth, especially with the woodwork and highlighting the rhythm of the cupolas, with wooden panjara screens creating intricate shadows and seating areas where one can converse."
Other interventions include restoring surfaces with traditional Uzbek plasterwork, creating openings for circulation and introducing a continuous datum line to tie the spaces together.
Debs opted for a pared-back material palette comprising wood, plaster and terrazzo, along with local Gazgan marble, in order to create a neutral backdrop for the craft pieces on display.
Objects are presented on bespoke wooden cabinets fitted into the existing arches, with traditional carvings used to embellish some of the vertical and horizontal shelf edges.
Other instances where artisanal techniques were introduced include the subtle ribbing of the Gange plasterwork applied to the main cupola, which adds depth through light and shadow.
"Throughout the project, craftsmanship is not treated as decoration, but as an integral part of how the space is constructed and experienced," Debs pointed out.
At the base of the cupola, plasterwork is used to create muqarnas – a form of three-dimensional decoration resembling honeycomb that is commonly found in Islamic architecture.
Wood panelling used to bring a sense of warmth to the main hall is decorated with traditional carvings, while green ceramic tiles feature on some of the display stands and statement lighting emphasises the height of the cupolas.
The inclusion of custom furniture and design elements created using traditional methods reflects Debs' ongoing commitment to combining craft and contemporary design in her projects.
From her Beirut studio, she leads a team working on projects ranging from product and furniture design to one-off commissions spanning art, craft, fashion and interiors.
Debs, who is one of the judges at this year's Dezeen Awards, previously collaborated with master craftsman Sirojiddin Rakhmatillaev to create a modern take on a traditional form of Uzbek outdoor seating known as a tapchan.
The photography is by Sebastian Bottcher.
The post Nada Debs converts abandoned mosque into Uzbek crafts centre appeared first on Dezeen.
