Abstract

A considerable amount of architectural and planning researches are focused on the architectural design and planning of masjid rather than the masjid goers. In order to deliver better community places appropriate to the needs of contemporary masjid goers it is imperative to gain the perspective of users. Thus it is the purpose of this research to explore and understand the phenomenon: physical and emotional values that masjid goers associate with masjid as a community place. An exploratory qualitative case study design is used and data are collected by semi-structured interviews and behavioural observations and mapping. The interviews are transcribed verbatim and analysed according to content analysis. It was found that the Singapore Muslim community is proud of the new masjid to the effect that it projects or manifest a contemporary cultural, social and religious community place. A number of themes of physical and psychological values were generated from the analysis to explain masjid goers’ perceptions about their mosque as a community place.