The Conference aims to highlight the importance
of Islamic Heritage Architecture and Art to the
world and its influence across different regions.
The Meeting will deal with the design of many
types of buildings in Islamic countries, including
not only the better known public buildings like
mosques, mausolea, citadels and forts, but also
houses and gardens, engineering works such as
bridges and dams, irrigation systems and many
others which have also had a profound impact
on society.
Islamic Architecture has enriched design with
a wide variety of structural shapes, including
among others, unique arches, a wide variety of
vaults and domes which allow for new forms
to be developed. The influence that these
structural forms have in non-Islamic countries
will be one of the themes of the Conference.
There is much to learn from past experiences to
arrive at solutions which are environmentally
sound and sustainable in the long term. As
conventional energy resources become scarce,
the Islamic design heritage can offer invaluable
lessons on how to deal in an efficient manner
with cases of hard and extreme environments.
Traditional architecture and urban environment
in most Islamic countries is now being eroded
by overemphasis on global type of architecture
and city planning. As a consequence, many regions are losing their identity. The Conference
will aim to review these developments in the
light of what the classical Islamic urban designs
and architectures have to offer modern society.
An equally important part of the Meeting
will analyse the materials employed and the
types of structural elements, particularly those
unique to Islamic architecture. Associated
topics of discussion will include music, textiles
and ceramics, which are essential parts of
the architectural fabric. The Conference will
encompass papers on construction materials,
including not only stone and brick but also more
perishable materials like adobe, wood and reeds.
Preserving that Heritage also requires the
development of appropriate conservation
techniques in response to the different
materials used and the ways structural forms
work, including under extreme conditions, such
as earthquakes.
Papers relevant to the influence of Islamic
architecture on the development of new
structural form, shape and design in the
Western countries are particularly welcome.
The Meeting will be of interest to all researchers,
practitioners and government employees
actively involved in the topic of Islamic Heritage
Architecture and Art.
