Plans for a mosque in Bendigo have drawn inspiration from the land on which it will sit, the project's architect has said.
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Bendigo Islamic Association members and architect Asher Greenwood were last week in East Bendigo, preparing for construction to begin.
The first steps towards the mosque's build occurred last week when the Bendigo council announced final plans for the project were approved.
An environmental activist, Mr Greenwood was pleased plans for the mosque were respectful of the surrounding environment and would include significant rejuvenation of the surrounding land.
Timber from the site will be used in the building's joinery, while black beams inside the mosque will echo remaining tree trunks around its exterior.
Read more: Mosque plans clear final hurdle
"When you're in the building looking out on the forest that remains, the building will feel like it belongs to the site," Mr Greenwood said.
"If it belongs to the site, the community will look after it."
While years of grass fires and firewood collection at the site prior to its sale had seen biodiversity diminish, landscape works using Australian flora would re-vegetate the remaining land.
There were also environmental challenges to consider, with parts of the site prone to flooding, Mr Greenwood said.
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Mark Kearney
Journalist. Traveller. Pop culture connoisseur. Mark is passionate about education, the arts and social justice, especially stories affecting the LGBTI community.
Journalist. Traveller. Pop culture connoisseur. Mark is passionate about education, the arts and social justice, especially stories affecting the LGBTI community.
