At-Taqarrub Mosque Trienggadeng

At-Taqarrub Mosque Trienggadeng: Symbol of Resilience and Modern Pidie Jaya Architecture

Masjid At-Taqarrub, located in Trienggadeng District, Pidie Jaya Regency, Aceh, is more than just a place of worship. This building stands as a monument to the resilience of the Acehnese people in facing natural calamities, while also representing the transition of religious architecture from traditional styles to functional modernity. As an iconic structure on the Banda Aceh-Medan route, this mosque blends magnificent visual aesthetics with sophisticated earthquake-resistant structural engineering.

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Historical Context: Rebirth from Ruins

The history of Masjid At-Taqarrub is inseparable from the 6.5 SR tectonic earthquake that struck Pidie Jaya on December 7, 2016. The old mosque building was completely destroyed by the tremors, leaving deep sorrow for the residents of Trienggadeng. However, this destruction became a turning point for reconstruction, initiated directly by the Central Government through the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), under the instruction of President Joko Widodo.

The reconstruction of this mosque took approximately one year and was inaugurated in 2018. The new Masjid At-Taqarrub was designed to set a new standard for public buildings in earthquake-prone zones, making it a stronger and safer symbol of "Aceh Building."

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Design Philosophy and Architectural Style

Architecturally, Masjid At-Taqarrub embodies a Modern Contemporary style with a simplified Middle Eastern influence. Its design eschews heavy and rigid impressions, opting for clean lines and sharp geometric forms. One of the most prominent features is the large main dome and the towering minaret, which provide a visual orientation for travelers passing by the national highway.

The building's facade is dominated by a clean white color with gray accents and Islamic geometric ornamental details on the ventilation and window sections. The use of large windows on several sides of the building aims to maximize natural lighting, creating a spacious and transparent effect within the main prayer hall.

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Structural Innovation and Earthquake Resistance

Considering its location's history, the most crucial aspect of Masjid At-Taqarrub is its structural engineering. The mosque is built to Building Risk Category IV specifications, the highest category for public buildings that must remain functional after major disasters.

The substructure uses pile foundations combined with high-ductility reinforced concrete structures. A special moment-resisting frame system (SRPMK) is implemented to ensure the building can absorb and dissipate seismic energy without experiencing fatal structural failure. This innovation makes At-Taqarrub a prototype for earthquake-resistant buildings in the eastern coastal region of Aceh.

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Interior Details and Main Hall

Upon entering the mosque, visitors are greeted by a spacious main hall without many central pillars obstructing the view towards the mihrab. This is made possible by the use of precise long-span beams. The ceiling beneath the dome is adorned with circular calligraphy, creating a profound spiritual impression as worshippers look up.

The mosque's mihrab is designed minimally yet elegantly, using high-quality marble with fine carved details. The interior lighting is designed such that during the day, sunlight entering through architectural gaps creates artistic shadow patterns on the granite floor, enhancing the solemnity of worship.

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Unique Architectural Elements: Minaret and Dome

The dome of Masjid At-Taqarrub has a unique profile, not perfectly spherical but slightly tapering at the top, giving it a dynamic impression. The dome's cladding uses modern technology resistant to saltwater corrosion, given its proximity to the coastline.

The mosque's minaret stands separate from the main building, a design element often found in modern mosque architecture to provide compositional balance to the building's mass. The minaret serves as a landmark visible from afar, as well as a location for the loudspeaker system, designed to be integrated so as not to detract from the building's visual aesthetics.

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Social and Cultural Significance

For the people of Trienggadeng and Pidie Jaya in general, Masjid At-Taqarrub is the "heart" of social activities. Its location on the provincial highway makes it a spiritual rest area for travelers. The mosque's spacious and well-maintained courtyard with small gardens often becomes a place for social interaction among residents after prayer times.

This mosque is also a tangible testament to the concept of build back better. Its successful standing strong after the earthquake tragedy has boosted the local community's confidence in the safety of infrastructure in their area. Culturally, this mosque represents the identity of the Acehnese people, who are religious yet open to technological advancements and modern design.

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Visitor Experience and Current Function

Currently, Masjid At-Taqarrub has a capacity of approximately 2,000 worshippers. Visitors will experience good air circulation thanks to the carefully designed cross-ventilation system, keeping the rooms cool even without excessive use of air conditioning. This aligns with the principles of green architecture, which seeks to adapt to Aceh's hot tropical climate.

Supporting facilities such as ablution areas and restrooms are designed to high hygiene standards and accessibility for people with disabilities, a detail often overlooked in older buildings but prioritized in this new mosque design.

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Conclusion: An Architectural Legacy for the Future

Masjid At-Taqarrub Trienggadeng is a perfect blend of religious function, structural safety, and aesthetic beauty. It stands not just as a place of prostration, but as a historical monument that tells a story of transition: from the sorrow of disaster to triumph through resilient architecture. As an icon of Pidie Jaya Regency, this mosque will continue to inspire the development of religious infrastructure in Indonesia, where the safety of worshippers and the beauty of design go hand in hand in perfect harmony.