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Al Aziz Mosque APG Architecture and Planning GroupThanks to its light <a href="http://inhabitat.com/translucent-concrete/" target="_blank">transmitting concrete</a> facade, the Al Aziz Mosque in Abu Dhabi changes its appearance from opaque during the day to semi-transparent at night. Calligraphy protruding from the exterior walls illuminate the site, creating a reverential aesthetic. The facade of the building, designed by <a href="http://www.apgarch.com/" target="_blank">APG Architecture and Planning Group</a>, consists of 207 unique elements with Arabic letters depicting 99 different names of God with strict instructions taken from the Koran.1
Al Aziz Mosque APG Architecture and Planning GroupThe facade starts transmitting light once the LEDs installed behind the backside of the panels are activated.2
Al Aziz Mosque APG Architecture and Planning GroupGerman company LUCEM developed the technology for the facade design.3
Al Aziz Mosque APG Architecture and Planning GroupLight transmitting optics transmit light of the LEDs to the external surface of the letters protruding from unique concrete panels, which are also weatherproof and can withstand extreme temperatures.4
Al Aziz Mosque APG Architecture and Planning GroupThese massive elements were also designed to match other types of natural stone used on other parts of the building.5
Al Aziz Mosque APG Architecture and Planning GroupIts color changes throughout the day-during daytime it has a warm sand color, during sunset it gets a more earthy tone, while at evening and in the morning it looks more grey.6
Al Aziz Mosque APG Architecture and Planning GroupThe facade is dominated by calligraphy-99 different names of Allah were first drawn by an experienced calligrapher and then digitized and distributed across different elevations of the building using AutoCAD.7
Al Aziz Mosque APG Architecture and Planning GroupThe letters protrude 30 millimeters from the panels, which weigh 300 kilograms each.8
Al Aziz Mosque APG Architecture and Planning GroupThe blocks were installed using 16 undercut anchors to fix each panels to a channel-based substructure system fixed to the concrete structure of the mosque.9
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