Architectural gems in Putrajaya
Ewe Paik Leong visits some magnificent buildings in the administrative capital
(1) PUTRA MOSQUE
Facing Putra Square and perched on the bank of Putrajaya Lake, this three-level mosque exhibits a rectangular layout. The structure is crowned with a pinkand-white patterned dome and two short towers at each corner. A separate fivetiered minaret in the shape of an eightpointed star looms upward at 116 metres high. Each succeeding tier is smaller than the one below. Inside the prayer hall, grandeur reigns with arabesque designs, Islamic calligraphy, carvings from Egypt, stained glass from Germany and the mimbar from Malaysia. Twelve columns in bands of burgundy support the dome which measures 36 metres in diameter. A Persian-style iwan functions as the entrance to the mosque. The mosque can accommodate 15,000 worshippers at any one time.
(2) TUANKU MIZAN ZAINAL ABIDIN MOSQUE
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque is popularly known as the Iron Mosque because 60 per cent of its three-level structure is made of reinforced stainless steel. The roof is capped by a ribbed dome andthereisnominaret. Amoatsurrounds the prayer hall which has no walls but stainless steel lattice screens.
A 13-metre high mihrab wall of German-made glass is inscribed with two verses from Sura Al-Baqarah on the right and Sura Ibrahim on the left. The main entrance is adorned with verse 80 of Sura Al-Isra from the Holy Quran. Kiblat Walk, a landscaped skybridge, links the mosque to Perbadanan Putrajaya Complex.
The capacity of this mosque is 20,000 worshippers.
(3) PUTRAJAYA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE
This circular seven-level convention centre sits atop Puncak Selatan Hill in Precinct 5, with 60 per cent of its structure sunken below ground. Its glass and louvred facade slant at 15 degrees outward to allow maximum natural lighting. The roof design was inspired by the perak pending or royal Malay silver belt buckle. To break the monotony of the round design, the eaves at the sides are lifted up. The main halls — Plenary Hall, Perdana Hall and Heads of States Hall — are set within the eye of the buckle. Radiating out are the suites, conference rooms and lounges. Ornamentations for the interiors are based on Islamic motifs. This building won the Aga Khan Award for architecture in 2007.
(4) PALACE OF JUSTICE
Nearly rectangular in layout, this five-storey building has a central section topped with a Moorish-style dome. Four towers abut against the central section at the corners, and they are crowned with four smaller domes. All domes are each decorated with a band of geometric design at the base.
The front porch is supported by six twin columns complete with volute, torus and scotia, which are architectural elements of the Corinthian Order. Horseshoe arches run along four sides of the building.
Of interest to tourists is the Justice Museum. On display are dioramas depicting a court trial, a replica of the Batu Bersurat and paraphernalia related to the legal profession and judiciary. Information panels explain how the legal system developed from historical times to the present in Malaysia. Admission is free.
(5) MOROCCAN PAVILION
This pavilion is located inside Taman Botani Putrajaya and showcases the rich architectural heritage of Morocco. The main entrance archway is a replica of the access portal of the Aljaferia Palace in Zaragoza, Spain. Once inside, you are transported vicariously to Morocco!
There are three areas: public, semiprivate and private. From the entrance courtyard, a water channel ends in the main building as a fountain. The walls, ceiling, floor and doors of the main building are decorated with intricate carvings, Islamic calligraphy and colourful tiles arranged in geometric patterns. Four galleries are decorated in the styles of the imperial cities of Fez, Rabat, Marrakesh and Mekhes in Morocco.