Implications of stereotype mosque architecture on sustainability

Stereotypical construction of buildings, however convenient, poses its own set of challenges. It affects the sustainable development critically and can give rise to social, economic and environmental problems. In other words, same design of a building if repeated irrationally from one place to another even within an identical climatic region gives rise to some grave problems which can compromise multiple dimensions of sustainability. Mosque architecture has some elements that have gradually become its identity. In this research different elements of repetition i.e. stereotype features in mosque architecture are explored. While using a case study approach this research is used to assess mosque projects in an urban region of Lahore, Pakistan. While considering the case studies the positive and negative effects of stereotype elements on three dimensions of sustainability are investigated. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.