From Bauhaus to Mecca: videos from the exhibition
(Re)watch the documentaries and videos from the exhibition From Bauhaus to Mecca here.
In this interview, conducted by curator and architecture researcher Marcelo Della-Giustina, Dr Mahmoud Bodo Rasch describes his research into accommodation for pilgrims in Mecca and Mina. He talks about his collaboration with architect Sami Angawi and how he first learned about the complexity of Hajj logistics in 1973. He was inspired by the large-scale tent camps. Rasch travelled to Saudi Arabia in 1975, where he converted to Islam in order to work on the project, including through a meeting with Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. Rasch’s work focused on creating a multidisciplinary research institute to tackle the many (logistical) problems of the Hajj, such as traffic and hygiene, with a focus on crowd movement and the use of mountain slopes for extra capacity.
In this documentary, you will discover the advanced technical development of monumental, movable parasols for the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina. These gigantic parasols, designed by Dr. Rasch, provide shade and protection for thousands of pilgrims. The documentary shows the challenges of finding lightweight structures and UV-suitable materials. The designs of the parasols evolved from 5×5 metre prototypes to large, rectangular models. With 250 parasols on Medina Piazza, this is the world’s largest movable roof. Over the years, the parasols have become increasingly sophisticated, featuring special rainwater drainage and integrated adiabatic cooling systems. This innovative project showcases the precision and hydraulic technology that SL Rasch works with, combined with spiritual architecture and functionality that does not disturb the pilgrims in these sacred places.
This documentary follows the challenging construction and installation of the Mecca Clock Royal Tower, a project of immense scale that creates both an architectural masterpiece and a new religious symbol. The biggest challenges lay in the logistical planning and coordination between the German clockmaker and the installation team on site, as the clockmaker, being a non-Muslim, was not allowed to enter the holy city. See here how the clock tower was installed with utmost precision.
Did you visit Studio Soap Suds during the exhibition? Then you have probably encountered and discovered how architect Frei Otto (1925-2015) and Dr Mahmoud Bodo Rasch were inspired by nature. They ‘found’ forms in nature that could be used in architecture. By experimenting with soap film, they investigated which shapes and distances could be used to design lightweight structures. Soap film always finds the shortest path with the perfect tension. In this documentary, you can see how Frei Otto carried out his experiments.
