BREAKING CONVENTIONAL DESIGN IDEAS
Architecture, at the center of it, has always revolved around humans and their needs. It has always therefore, stood as a representation of culture and its social implications. The built environment of the past when closely read reveals peoples way of life. Their idea of hierarchy often representative in scale or form or both, their art imitates the events of the society and their events divulges the interest of the people. The cultural nuances of the built forms speak volumes about how the people saw themselves and also, how they wanted the world to see them.
Historically, Islamic architecture is identified with distinctive design elements like the dome and cupolas, minars/minarets and use of arches. All of it often composed in geometric and symmetric qualities and decorated with floral patterns and calligraphy. The architectural quality can be recognized in the local architectural language, which is generally based on the climate, geography and topography. The most common denominators in mosque architecture is usually the bulbous dome and the minarets. And with passing time, these elements have become symbolically synonymous to the identity of mosques across the globe . When a design element resonates so closely with the religious sentiment of the people of that faith, it becomes a challenge for the architect to see how the society reacts to a new form that’s in line with the modern architectural trends.
The contemporary architecture of the mosques are breaking the stereotypical design boundaries and exploring the possibility of achieving the spiritual quality of buildings while adapting to the trends. Modernity, by and large, when viewed in religious context is often cringed upon. But the designers these days are being cognizant of how the past has shaped our societies and are carefully building on that knowledge to support the symbolic representation of culture. They manifest the idea that traditional doesn’t have to be outdated and modern doesn’t have to be insensitive. When such modern structures are embraced, it develops a nexus between the traditional and the liberal, hence facilitating a conversation between societies. At the heart of it, values are still sanctified. In contemporary religious structures, form follows feelings. Architecture as a subject, not only become pivotal in enabling social commentaries but also in expanding the cultural mindsets.
