GROUP MULTI-FAITH ROOM

CORPORATE OFFICES & DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

OVERVIEW

Group-use, multi-faith prayer rooms encourage collective spiritual wellness and recharge with a private space designed to support group prayer breaks throughout the workday.


An open floor plan and a monitor with video conferencing capabilities make this room flexible for different types of group use. Friday mid-day should be reserved for Muslim congregational prayer since DC shift employees don’t have time to travel offsite. At other times, the space can be booked for things like meditation, yoga, prayer, etc.


It is common for Muslims to pray five times a day, typically twice during a 9am-5pm workday. Times are based on the phases of the moon. Each prayer takes about five minutes after Wudu, the cleansing ritual that includes washing the face, hands, and feet. An hour-long group congregational prayer (called Jummah) is only required for men on Fridays mid-day and often happens at a local mosque. This obligation can be met in any location, as long the congregation is 10 people or more. The Pew Research Center reports that among all U.S. Muslims, fully 42% say they pray all five times daily, while 17% pray at least some of the prayers every day.


For spaces to accommodate individual prayer, see the Wellness Room space type page.

Design Goals

  • Locate inside the secure perimeter, in a shared zone of the building with close proximity to the shop floor and locker rooms or wellness rooms that can be used for washing rituals. A discreet location is preferred.
  • The environment should feel welcoming and calming. Provide soft colors and finishes, and adjustable lighting. The art should not depict people or animal
  • This is a group space, intended for a minimum of 10 people at a time
  • The general area should allow for a 2’-6” x 4’-0” (762mm x 1219mm) rug for Muslim prayer facing Qibla (which is towards the Kabbah in Mekkah, Saudi Arabia). Use online resources or apps to identify the direction
  • In dual shared gender rooms, include a privacy curtain or screen to give the option of separation between men and women

Key Components

Group multi-faith room axonometric indicating key components

Download PDF and BIM files below


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Group Multi-Faith Room


  1. Open Floor Space for Group Prayer
  2. Shoe Storage/Bench Outside of Room
  3. Closed Storage Cabinets Within Room
  4. Ceiling Sticker or Stencil Showing Direction of the Quibla
  5. Monitor With Video Conferences Placed in Direction of the Quibla
  6. Indicator of Lock on Door


Area: 285 SF (26 SM) min.

Size: 19’-0" x 15’-0" (4 m x 5.2 m) min

Capacity: 10 prayer rugs min.

REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS

  • Clearances
    • Ensure wheelchair turning radius and accessible door clearances are met in both general area and wash area. 60” (1524mm)   is the minimum turning circle clearance, but 75” (1905mm) is better for all mobility device users when possible.
    • Accessible height and approach for all furniture, operable accessories, and if applicable, casework and plumbing.

  • Finishes
    • Finishes and colors with a soft, calming aesthetic; select in coordination with furniture and brand
    • Opaque privacy film and/or opaque curtains at all glazing
    • Choose a room location where the door is opposite the direction of the Qibla wall

    Walls:

    • Wall Type 8: Gypsum wall below deck  
    • If the wall facing Qibla has toilets on the backside, add a second full-height wall as a buffer
    • Standard wall types or approved alternate that meets acoustic requirements
    • Paint with rubber base (or equivalent), accent color on all walls is typical
    • Acoustic wall covering on one wall

    Floor:

    • Carpet tile (or equivalent) for general area. If an area rug is used, provide transition strips and adhere to the floor at all edges to minimize tripping hazards.

    Ceiling:

    • Suspended ACT (or equivalent), wall-to-wall (NRC 0.5+)
    • Height not to exceed 10' (3048mm)

  • Doors
    • Type: Swinging with 3 hinges, solid core 
    • Size: 36" x 80" (91 cm x 203cm) or off the shelf size without customization
    • Handle: Metal, accessible lever-style 
    • Lock: Deadbolt with occupancy indicator, coordinate with security
    • Requires 5 lbs (2.3 kgs) or less of force to open or have push-button door openers
    • Seals at head and jambs, no gap at the door when adjacent to loud spaces
  • Furnishings
    • Cubby/Bench shoe storage outside of the room. Muslims do not enter congregational prayer rooms with their shoes on, so shoe storage cubbies should be accounted for on the outside of the room.  These could be full height or benches with cubbies below depending on the occupancy expected.
    • Closed cabinet without lock, may also include open shelves, could be furniture or casework.  Minimum 18”Wx18”D (46cm x 46cm) shelves and 34”H (86cm) storage unit.
    • Laptop table or small side table

  • Acoustics
    • Voices can’t be heard outside of the room and vice versa. Background noise doesn’t interfere with room use.
    • Noise Criteria (NC): 30-35 dBA
    • Sound transmission class (STC): 45-50 dBA
  • Equipment
    • Sound machine
    • Sharps bin and first aid kit

    OPTIONAL accessories

    (Consult local service team)

    • Meditation pillow, yoga mat, blanket, and prayer mat
    • Throw pillows, do not use down filling to reduce allergic reactions
    • Faux plants

    HVAC

    • Include temperature/ventilation, avoid drafts directly over the seating
  • Electrical

    Outlets

    • Wall outlets at accessible heights throughout
    • Include monitor height outlets on Qibla wall
    • Consider where sound machine will be placed

    Lighting

    • Range 20-40 FC (215-430 LUX) at 30” (76cm) above the floor
    • Controls: User dimmable
  • Wayfinding
    • See Wayfinding section
    • ID sign with “Multi-Faith Room” outside the door
    • Amenity icon tab outside the door
  • Branding
    • Framed poster(s), calming artwork that does not include depictions of people or animals
    • Avoid bold quotes, athlete photography, or aggressive feeling graphics
    • Branding should not interfere with cabinetry, prayer mat storage, sinks, or other functional features in this space.
    • Soft and calming branding that complements the conservative nature of these space types should be used
    • Soft accent colors
    • Muslim prayer faces Qibla (which is the Kabbah in Mekkah, Saudi Arabia); use online resources or apps to identify the direction onsite. Show the direction on the ceiling with an approximately 4” (100mm) sticker or stencil, using the standard Qibla icon.
  • Technology
    • 1 monitors with video conference capability, use Nike Tech Standards for similar size conference rooms
    • Wall-mount phone, in case of emergency

  • Safety and Security
    • For Workplace Security standards, contact your local Design or PM team. EHS standards can be found in Resources