School of Architecture + Planning Speaker Series

Despite its extraordinary richness, Islamic architecture has rarely been studied for its conceptual and symbolic significance. In the Sense of Unity, a handsomely illustrated volume and the first extended work of its kind, Nader Ardalan and Laleh Bakhtiar examine the architecture of Persia as a manifestation of Islamic tradition and demonstrate the synthesis of traditional Persian thought and form. The most fundamental principle of Sufism, the inner, esoteric dimension of Islam, is that of unity in multiplicity. This view sees in every aspect of reality a reflection of a transcendent source which is given symbolic expression through all of man’s activities, most directly and importantly through his works of art. The authors of The Sense of Unity show how all the elements of the Islamic architecture of Persiafrom the simplest architectural unit to a complex urban environmentare woven around this central doctrine and thus are best understood as multiple manifestations of unity. The Sense of Unity is illustrated with photographs, drawing, charts, and tables which are an integral part of its argument and which exemplify, in abundant and striking detail, the principles discussed in the text. Presenting to the Western reader for the first time the insights of the Iranian cultural tradition, the book also offers a stimulating new way of thinking about man and his relationship to his milieu.

Harvard University Graduate School of Design was the leader of this research project, which took place in 2011-2015, entitled Gulf Sustainable Urbanism (GSU). Scholars from Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran (in geographic order) contributed to the research. The focus of this first part of the research is the past of urbanism in the coastal region, aiming to propose a future sustainable urbanization, both environmentally and socio- economically. A study of urbanization patterns of the past was conducted for eight coastal cities and two associated hinterland cities in eight countries surrounding the Gulf. Urban and regional histories were summarized to understand the complex relationships that generated long-lasting urban forms and efficient building designs.

Harvard University Graduate School of Design was the leader of this research project, which took place in 2011-2015, entitled Gulf Sustainable Urbanism (GSU). Scholars from Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran (in geographic order) contributed to the research. A study of urbanization patterns of the past was conducted for eight coastal cities and two associated hinterland cities in eight countries surrounding the Gulf. Urban and regional histories were summarized to understand the complex relationships that generated long-lasting urban forms and efficient building designs.

This book shows the progression of Interior Design of the Arabian countries. In contrast to many countries modeled according to the Western traditions, the Arabian culture is closely tied to religious and social values. The current discussion regarding contemporary architecture broaches the subject of the importance of tradition and deals with the Arabian identity. The architects have various viewpoints on the subject: Besides those who represent an international and global architectural language, there are also numerous planners that incorporate historical elements such as arches, domes and columns into their designs and interpret them in a contemporary fashion. Arabian Design presents the projects of renowned offices and young architects and shows the exciting process, in which a new, modern presence is developing out of tradition and ideas for the future are resulting. all projects are listed in alphabetic order of the designers and architects. Plans of the projects are shown as far as available. An index of contact information of the designer and architects is enclosed.

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture was established by His Highness the Aga Khan in 1977 to identify and encourage excellence in architecture and other forms of intervention in the built environment of societies with a Muslim presence. The award is given every three years and recognizes all types of building projects that affect today's built environment. Smaller projects are given equal consideration as large-scale buildings. Richly illustrated and with explanatory texts, the book presents this year's shortlist and the award recipients. This year's topic is centered around the relationship between life and architecture. Numerous essays examine how architecture interacts with the life of people who inhabit it.

The Dictionary of Islamic Architecture provides the fullest range of artistic, technical, archaeological, cultural and biographical data for the entire geographical and chronological spread of Islamic architecture - from West Africa through the Middle East to Indonesia, and from the seventh to the eighteenth centuries of the Common Era. Over 500 entries are arranged alphabetically and fully cross-referenced and indexed to permit easy access to the text and to link items of related interest. Four main categories of subject matter are explored: * dynastic and regional overviews * individual site descriptions * biographical entries * technical definitions Over 100 relevant plans, sketch maps, photographs and other illustrations complement and illuminate the entries, and the needs of the reader requiring further information are met by individual entry bibliographies.