Palo Alto Mosque
The Hatemi Mosque is Palo Alto’s first freestanding mosque, establishing a big step for Muslims in the city. Taking inspiration from the Al-Aqmar Mosque, which was constructed in the 1120s in Cairo, the Hatemi Mosque has a design heavily influenced by Egypt, especially regarding the entrance.
Date Completed: 2014
Architect: Carrasco & Associates and Barton Architects
Structural Engineer: Rinne & Peterson Structural Engineers
Civil Engineer: Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc.
Rockridge Geotechnical (RG) completed an investigation and provided recommendations for the design and construction of the mosque. The northern portion of the mosque consists of a two-story-high prayer hall. The southern portion of the mosque is one story, except for a small two-story section adjacent to the northeast corner of the prayer hall. The one-story portion of the mosque includes offices, a living area, restrooms, a kitchen area, and a social hall. Other site improvements include a parking lot, landscaping, and permeable pavers.
The building grades were raised roughly five feet above the design flood elevation. Due to the potential for undesired total and differential settlement, Rockridge Geotechnical recommended that a mat foundation, with lightweight cellular concrete above the mat foundation, support the building.