Ground Zero Islamic center's new sketches provide first look at futuristic exterior

New York, Oct 3(ANI): New sketches of the proposed Islamic community center near 9/11 Ground Zero in New York display an updated exterior and provide the first look at the building's futuristic interior.

According to the New York Daily News, the renderings depict a towering white building with jagged, geometric openings like a honeycomb.

Park51's Head developer, Sharif El-Gamal, said that the renderings are not final, but depict the kind of urban center he hopes to create.

"I don't think that once this thing gets built, anyone will be picketing," the newspaper quoted El-Gamal, as saying.

"We want to have a marriage between Islamic architecture and New York City. We want to do something that is green and cool," he added.

El-Gamal further said that most of the 16-floor building would be occupied by sports and fitness facilities, including a swimming pool.

The building will also have a childcare center, culinary school, art studios exhibition space and auditorium, while the controversial Muslim prayer space will be placed on two levels in the basement.

The proposed community center has drawn fierce opposition from protestors who believe it is too close to Ground Zero. (ANI)