The Cambridge Central Mosque has picked up another accolade, winning the green building category at an international sustainable building competition staged during COP31 in the COP31 Blue Zone. Trustees Zeynep Coşkun Koç and Erdem Arıoğlu accepted the prize on behalf of the Cambridge Mosque Trust, bringing the mosque's total award count to 24.

Often called Europe's first environmentally friendly mosque, the building opened for worship in 2019 at a ceremony attended by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It was a joint effort between the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation and the UK's Muslim Academic Trust, led by Abd al-Hakim Murad — a collaboration trustees describe as a model of UK-Turkey cooperation.

The eco credentials run deep. Construction leaned on natural materials like wood and marble, while photovoltaic panels, air-source heat pumps and a sedum green roof handle much of the building's energy and insulation needs. Dome-shaped roof windows pull in natural daylight, sensors track indoor temperature and air quality, and a natural ventilation system cuts electricity demand. Part of the mosque's power comes from solar energy, and rainwater is collected, treated and reused to irrigate the gardens — a touch inspired by a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad about avoiding water waste, according to trustee Koç.

The design philosophy reinterprets traditional Islamic architecture through modern engineering, reflecting what Koç describes as Islam's emphasis on nature and conserving resources. And the building has grown beyond its congregation: it has become a Cambridge cultural landmark drawing tourists alongside worshippers.

There's a community side too. The congregation runs food assistance for families in financial difficulty, hosts health awareness events, and organises environmental volunteering for young people.

For travellers, the mosque is a genuinely worth a detour if you're in Cambridge. It's an unusual sight — a serene, timber-laced prayer hall that happens to be one of Britain's most sustainable buildings — and it welcomes non-Muslim visitors, typically outside prayer times. Pair it with Cambridge's colleges and botanical garden for a day that mixes architecture old and new. Anyone interested in green design, interfaith projects or simply beautiful buildings will find it rewarding, and it's easy to reach on foot or by bike from the city centre.

Story reported by Daily Sabah Travel.