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Towards a Modern Theory of Islamic Architecture
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Short Description: modern architecture. To reformulate the Islamic theory of architecture, demerits of the past ... Poetics of Architecture: Theory of Design, New York, 1990. ...
Content Inside: Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 1(2): 153-156, 2007 ISSN 1991-8178 2007, INSInet Publication Towards a Modern Theory of Islamic Architecture Mahmoud Itewi Tafila Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, P.O. Box 179, 66110-Tafila, Jordan. Abstract: This essay objectively surveys the history of Islamic architecture and highlights the role of Islamic conquers in its spread. Furthermore, it evaluates the effects of Islam and ancient civilizations such as Roman Greek and Persian on Islamic architecture. Certain features of Islamic architecture, which can be revived, are underscored in the light of modern architectural theories. To develop a modern theory of Islamic architecture, religious and spiritual aspects as well as form and environment need to be taken into account. Also, common features of modernism and originality should be highlighted. Key words: Islamic architecture, conquers, architectural theories, religious, spiritual INTRO DUCTIO N Architecture refers to the science of designing and constructing buildings to meet people's physical and moral needs. Appropriate construction materials are used in accordance with the desired designs. It is undeniable that the first written civilization appeared in ancient Iraq where it interacted with the natural environment of Southern Iraq. The agriculture of that region utilized rivers and dams. To achieve stability and security, rulers carried out some strategic projects. For example, they dug channels, built temples and improved life conditions of their retinues. This led to the rise of city and architecture which developed from 2800 to 2400 BC. The Greek Architecture dates back to 444 429 B C. It was influenced by the Pharaonic and Persian architecture which paved the way for the Roman Architecture (753 509 BC). It can be noticed that the Pharaonic architecture interacted with the prevalent architectures of that time. In fact, the Pharaohs were known for their architecture, city planning and temples. Unlike other architectures, Islamic architecture originated in the Arabian Peninsula. It involves city planning along with its squares, streets, style of accommodation, economic and climatic conditions in addition to the social customs. According to this model, the mosque is usually situated in the city center and minarets are high enough to guide coming passengers. Then, the Islamic architectural revolution spread throughout the cities of the ancient world such as the Roman, Greek, Byzantine, Asian, North African and Central Asian cities due to the Islamic conquers. New cities such as Sammerqand, Bukhara, Istanbul, Qurtoba and Grenada were established. Later, they contributed to the expansion of Islamic architecture and civilization. Islamic architecture came into contact with the Byzantine, Hellenic, Sassanid and Persian civilizations which were conquered by M uslims. Impressively, Islamic architecture is unified despite the long distances that separate the Arab states. This can be attributed to the unity of intellectual source in the Islamic civilization. Islam ic Architecture: Philosophy and Developm ent: Islamic architecture extended from the 7th to the 19th century. M uslims intelligently communicated with other cultures by maintaining rather than erasing them. They steered those cultures to serve Islam and cope with the mainstream in the Islamic W orld. For example, statues and pictures were forbidden in the architecture of mosques, so M uslim engineers alternatively mastered columns, mosaic, foliage and engineering decorations. They also paid special attention to rchitectural and aesthetic designs which revolutionized Islamic architecture. Today, architecture is considered a reflection to civilization and an open book in which the history of a nation is recorded. Islamic architecture has innovated special ornamentations, colors and engineering units which can be adopted anywhere. The triangle, square and circle for instance are facts because they comply with mental concepts. A new concept of unity has merged in Islamic architecture. It calls for unity as a base for life cycle. Corresponding Author: Mahmoud Itewi, Tafila Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, P.O. Box 179, 66110- Tafila, Jordan. 153
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