King Charles III (77) praised the building during his visit to the Cambridge Central Mosque, which is unprecedented in Europe. The facility, which opened in 2019, is considered the continent's first eco-mosque. The monarch called it according to the British newspaper "Mirror" "a remarkable example of integrated faith activities".
The King was received on Monday by imams and trustees of the house, as well as by faith representatives from across the city who have joined together to support the place of worship. He was accompanied on the tour by Julia Barfield, director of the London office of Marks Barfield Architects, which designed the award-winning building, and by Timothy Winter, chairman of the board of trustees. The nature-loving monarch showed particular interest in the community garden.
Cool without air conditioning
Photovoltaic systems on the roof, a green roof, air-source heat pumps, natural ventilation, and wood from sustainable forestry. The building's technology was demonstrated to the King in detail. The building does not need air conditioning. Despite temperatures of 77 degrees in the city, it remained pleasantly cool inside.
Before entering the main prayer room, Charles removed his shoes in a side room. There he met groups from the neighborhood and schoolchildren who attend religious education classes during the week. The community sees itself as proof of the role faith communities can play in the fight against global warming. Islamic teachings on the preservation of creation were also discussed during the visit.
The King's decades-long keen interest in architecture was evident during this appointment. He acknowledged the architects' attempt to develop their own British formal language for mosque buildings and called the house "magnificent". The design references the fan vaulting of the nearby King's College Chapel as well as the Victorian brickwork in Cambridge's Romsey neighborhood.
King Charles wishes continued success
The discussion also covered the role the mosque and other places of worship play in attracting researchers from around the world to Cambridge. Many of them shape the city's reputation and economic strength. At the conclusion, the 77-year-old unveiled a commemorative plaque. "The care and attention you have devoted to this, and the fact that you have a purpose-built mosque here with an attached community center, surely makes an enormous contribution", he said. "Not only to the Muslim community, but to Cambridge itself. So I congratulate you, and I pray with all my heart that you continue to have every possible success."
On the official Instagram account, several impressions from the visit were subsequently published, emphasizing: "The sustainability-focused mosque combines its design, energy-efficient systems, and renewable energy generation to significantly reduce carbon footprints."
Another task awaited King Charles in Cambridge. He officially opened the new White Laboratory, a space and energy laboratory at the prestigious university.
