The ABRAHAMIC FAMILY HOUSE is a fascinating place that the United Arabic Emirates opened in 2023: A Project that expresses the readiness and the will of the UAE to accept not only the ISLAM as a religion but also all the others.
In this case of The ABRAHAMIC FAMILY HOUSE: the three that have Abraham as the founder of these religions in common: Judaism, Christianism and Islam.
This FAMILY HOUSE was created to offer side by side: a Synagogue, a Church and a Mosque.
The Abrahamic Family House was designed by Sir David Adjaye and his firm Adjaye Associates.
David Adjaye had the wonderful idea to make all three buildings exactly the same:
3 cubes of 30m by 30m by 30m: in order to underline the COMMUNALITIES of the three.
Three cubic volumes stand on a shared podium.
Each cube has equal size and proportion → symbolizing equality, respect, and coexistence among Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
The spaces between the cubes form gardens and pathways, encouraging meeting and dialogue.
A fourth space, a secular visitor pavilion, serves as a cultural and educational center.
🕌 The Mosque (Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque)
Cube oriented toward Mecca.
Features screened facades (mashrabiya-inspired) that filter light.
A central prayer hall with calm, filtered daylight.
✝️ The Church (St. Francis Church)
Cube oriented toward the east (traditional Christian liturgical orientation).
Design uses vertical timber ribs evoking a colonnade and light filtering from above.
Interior emphasizes height and verticality, recalling early basilicas.
✡️ The Synagogue (Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue)
Cube oriented toward Jerusalem.
Roof designed with a triangular coffered ceiling, allowing natural light to fall across the space.
Interior highlights a sense of community gathering around the central bimah (reading platform).
✨ Symbolism
Equal size and prominence → no faith dominates visually or spatially.
Distinct identities → each cube reflects its tradition’s architectural language.
Shared foundation → podium and garden paths symbolize common ground and shared values.
I think it is amazing that this Abrahamic Family House had to come from a Muslim country, in this case the UAE.
There was so much time for the other two religions (Judaism and Christianism) to come up with such a brilliant idea: TO UNDERLINE WHAT UNITES THEM, not: WHAT SEPARATES THEM.
(details taken from ChatGPT)