Towards a contemporary Islamic Architecture

Abstract

Globalization': 'Large Middle East': 'The Global Village'. Each of these widely-applied terms presents a considerable challenge to the Islamic world. However, one of the most important shields that can protect our heritage from melting away lies within Islamic culture itself. We already have a significant heritage; the problem is we are not making adequate efforts to develop this tradition to take its place across the contemporary globe. Islamic architecture, in particular, is one of the most important features in the Islamic culture as it is the discipline that manifests that heritage in tangible form. It should be, therefore, one of our main concerns as professionals working in the field to bring the sparkle of this unique style back to the contemporary scene. This paper will not, however, argue for an approach based entirely on models from the past. Instead, it addresses the potential that contemporary mural paintings might add to Islamic traditions; by using both digital technology and contemporary art styles to perform a contemporary Islamic architecture. For although there is little evidence to suggest that murals have been a significant feature in the Islamic architecture in the past this paper concludes that production of contemporary murals will be important for establishing a flourishing contemporary Islamic architecture.