Amman Architecture Between Antiquity and Modernity ALÌ ABU GHANIMEH

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Amman Architecture Between Antiquity and Modernity ALÌ ABU GHANIMEH Amman Architecture between Antiquity and Modernity ALÌ ABU GHANIMEH Architecture in Jordan and in Amman city, in particular, had been in uenced by different civilizations that was expanding through differ- ent eras, i.e. the Nabataean, Roman Empire and Islamic. In addition, Jordanian architecture had affected by the architecture of the other Arab countries and their cities; i.e. Jerusalem, Damascus, and Cairo, and the architectural contents of these cities, e.g. the Umayyad Mosque and the Azem Palace in Damascus, the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, and the Alazhar1 and the Ibn Tulun mosques in Cairo. In all these cases on an architectural, cultural tradition – and often religious –, it engages with one of equal dignity. In 706 a.d. the Umayyad caliph al-Walid I, resum- ing the policy of his father Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan who had built the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, decided to increase the monumental work of the capital Damascus. Therefore ordered the building of the Great Mosque, completed in 715, in the site which was the most impor- tant place of worship in the city, that was incorporating the remains of the original Christian church dedicated to St. John the Baptist, which had been built by Theodosius at the room of a pagan temple of the [ rst century. In 661, after the Arab conquest of the Roman province of Syria, the Caliph Mu’awiya ibn Abi Sufyan, erected in the Temenos, a land belonging to the ancient shrine musalla (oratory) outdoors, so for several decades Muslims and Christians celebrated their rituals side 1 The construction of the Mosque of Al-Azhar in Cairo, was initiated by Jawhar As- Siqillî, commander in chief of Al-li-Din Allah Mu’izz first Caliph of the Fatimid dynasty, who conquered Egypt and founded the city of Cairo during the month of Jumada-l-Awwal 359 dell’Hijrah year (970 ad), in the month of Ramadan to complete the year 361 H. (972 a.d.). Mosque has been expanded several times in later centuries. In the fifteenth century there was added a Madhrasa (Islamic school) (Editor note). 75 Photo 1. The Citadel (Amman). by side. Azem Palace (or AZM) in Damascus was erected in 1750 as the residence of the Ottoman governor As’ad Pasha al-Azm, and now houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions. Damascena exam- ple of traditional architecture, is divided into two main devices: the harem, which is the part used for family living, kitchens, bedrooms, bath and rooms for servants, and the salamlik devoted instead to the guests, with gardens with typical sources, lounges and waiting rooms. The Mosque of Omar or Dome of the Rock (Qubbet es-Sakhra) is built on a platform which is accessed through a number of steps, passing under the arches of the chains. It is the oldest and most important ex- ample of Islamic architecture, with a mix of Persian and Byzantine art, as the architects were Christians. The name of origin is the Dome of the Rock, but it is known as the Mosque of Omar, and was built by Abd el Malik, Umayyad caliph (661-750). The rock is an irregularly shaped natural rock that stands in the center of the plateau in Jerusalem sacred. Is supposed to be the place where the Prophet Mohammed rose to the famous night ights (Alisraa Ilmiirag wa) in the sky and it is likely that the rock (Sakra) was the point where the fact occurred. Built 76 Photo 2. The Bank of Jordan (Amman). between 876-879 a.d. by the Abbasid governor sent from Baghdad to Egypt Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo is the oldest of all Egypt. Such a “mosque on Friday”, his yard on an open arc is large enough to hold the entire male community gathered for prayers on the holiest day of the week. Incorporates architectural elements of the Mosque of Samarra in Iraq, with its spiral minaret, and is completely built with clay bricks. It has an outdoor courtyard, surrounded by pointed arches and decorated with beautiful geometric patterns. 77 Photo 3. Villa Qattan (Amman). These constructions and other iconic buildings are still affecting the architecture in Jordan and Amman city, especially for its proximity to the intellectual, social, cultural dimension of Jordanian society itself but also the entire Middle East region. The architecture in Amman city, the city of Ammonia, was back to the Old Stone Age as it is shown by the excavations made by many Jordanian and foreign archeologists. After that, the Greeks, the Romans, the Ammonites, and the Muslims civilizations swayed Amman’s architecture. The city of Amman is now 78 a wealth of famous monuments, testifying to ancient civilizations, and has many ruins, belonging to different urban settlements that have been superimposed at various times, such as the Ain Gazal2, Roman Amphi- theater, Temple of Hercules, Umayyad buildings, the Citadel, the most important palace in the castle. Roman Amphitheater, testimony of the ancient roman city Philadephia, is the monument more impressive in Amman. Built in the second century a.C. during the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-161 a.C.) was made on the north side of a hill previously used as a cemetery and could accommodate up to 6000 people. There currently are set up shows in the summer and the basement houses the Folklore Museum and the Museum of Popular Traditions. The Citadel (al-Qala’a) is the site of ancient Rabbath-Ammon (Bronze Age 1500- 1200 b.C.) and the excavations have uncovered many Roman remains, Byzantine and early Islamic period. Situated on a hill includes the Umayyad Palace complex, which dates back to 730 AD, the Temple of Hercules, built during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 a.C.) and the Byzantine church, probably dating to the sixth or seventy century a.C. The remains of these sites illustrate the periods of cultural and economic prosperity experienced by this ancient city which was named by more than name, including: Ammon, Philadelphia, and - nally Amman [Photo 1]. Before we begin discourse about the beginnings of architecture in Amman, we should introduce the local architecture in Jordan, especial- ly in the beginning of this century, where we nd that the architectural buildings were rare and concentrated in some Jordanian cities i.e. Salt, Karak, Irbid, Amman, which were built with stone, in the often. The architecture had marked by this distinctive character and major variety in the constructive methods by using stone as a common material, as the ancient builders made in this country. The architects who worked in Jordan were Arabs builders who came from neighboring cities, like Je- rusalem, Naples, Beirut …etc.3. This had an impact on the shaping the 2 Ain Ghazal is a Neolithic site located in North-Eastern Jordan, on the outskirts of Amman. It dates as far back as 7250 b.C., and was inhabited until 5000 b.C. At 15 hectares (37 a.C.), ‘Ain Ghazal ranks as one of the largest known prehistoric settlements in the Near East. 3 Jordan has always had a specific role as an international and multicultural country. Since its establishment as a national state, a lot of the middle class families have encouraged their children to the university experience in European and Mediterranean institutions. 79 Photo 4. Amman City Hall (Amman). architecture of Amman city, especially in the residential buildings. The architecture in the countryside had adopted the idea of the courtyard as a movement organizer and it was built from simple materials i.e. clay and non-formed stone to the walls and tree branches to the bishop, like in the earliest times. It would be worthwhile to recall that in the build- ing tradition of Jordan, to build a new home is an opportunity, from friends and people, to demonstrate solidarity and support to the fam- ily who undertook the construction work. If this was a very masculine one, women had the task of bringing the water that served to mix the mortar. But above all it was for the women tell and celebrate the event with constructive music and songs which represent today’s testimony of the customs and traditions in the eld of local building techniques (Sarhan, 1978). In this occasion, it should be stated an early group of engineering and architects who provided a range of challenges that had an impact on the future of architecture of the city, including Khawaja Dyran, Al -Sharif Fawwaz Aal-Mhaana, Nazmi Al-Nabulsi, Abdul Raz- zaq al-Muhtadi, Fouad Sayegh. 80 Even today, there are still many architects who have a signi cant impact on the architecture of the local city of Amman. Should be de- veloping new models and methods of construction for the new and dis- tinctive architecture of the city aware of their multicultural traditions. To give some example: Ja’afar Touqan whom his architecture footprint characterizes linking modern thoght, a whiff of history, and originality. He is a winner of numerous Architecture Awards for his projects i.e. the S.O.S children’s village in Aqaba (1991), the Bank of Jordan [Photo 2], the Jubilee High School in Amman (1999), the Amman City Hall (in collaboration with Rasem Badran), the Dune Club, Hotel Marriot Dead sea Resort, the Jordan National Museum. In addition, he had awarded for his residential buildings i.e. Villa Rizek, Villa Sal ti, Villa Chalabi, villa Abu Rahmi, and Villa Qattan in Amman. As you can see from the pictures attached [Photos 3-4] even in the work of Ja’far Touqan the substantial use of stone for the exterior and interior of public buildings and residences is an element of continuity between ancient and modern.
Recommended publications
  • Tradition Employing in Contemporary Arabic Architecture the Architect Rasem Badran " Specialty of " Luma Abdalwahhab Al-Dabbagh Dr
    : . / / . : Tradition Employing in Contemporary Arabic Architecture the Architect Rasem Badran " Specialty of " Luma Abdalwahhab Al-Dabbagh Dr. Asma Hasan Al-Dabbagh Lecturer / Dept. of Architecture Engineer / Dept. of Architecture College of Eng. /Univ. of Mosul College of Eng. /Univ. of Mosul ABSTRACT Many of modern studies attached special importance to the phenomenon of employing tradition in Architecture generally, and in Arabic region especially, because it considered as a tool for reviving societies, as it has rational and human principles which could be employed, therefore it was the problem area for this research, trying to recognize it first, and come out with theoretical framework by scrutiny in previous studies in this context second, it appears that items of theoretical framework related with conceptual principles which architects believes toward tradition employing, formulations and degree of employing, and finally employing mechanisms . The research appliance for framework items in practical study was aiming to test it scientifically, and it chosen the Architect Rasem Badran to show his specialty. The findings show that Badarn has fixed conceptual principle in tradition employing which was the evolving interpretative one, which related with certain values to the rest of theoretical framework items. The conclusions proved the research hypotheses, and confirm thinkers viewpoints about Badran especially, as he respects and dignifies tradition, therefore architects could apply Badran's manner in their new products, but the conclusions also rises many questions about preciseness of previous classifications dealing with conceptual principles for the architects and there belonging to it . Keywords: Contemporary Arabic Architecture, Tradition Employing, Badran. 2009/10/13 58 2009/6/2 Al-Rafidain Engineering Vol.18 No.4 August 2010 : .1 1987 ) (212-211 (114 2002 ) " (200 2001 ) .
    [Show full text]
  • Akaa2007 Final 01-65:Akdn 2007
    AKAA2007_FINAL_130-192:AKDN 2007 24/7/07 16:02 Page 181 180 AKAA2007_FINAL_130-192:AKDN 2007 24/7/07 16:02 Page 182 Aga Khan Award for Architecture Aga Khan Award for Architecture Retrospective 1977 – 2007 Over the past 30 years, the Aga Khan Award has recognised outstanding architectural achievements in some 32 countries. It has held seminars, conferences and exhibitions to explore and discuss the crucial issues of the built environment, and published the proceedings to bring these subjects to a wider audience. It has brought together the architectural community and policy-makers to celebrate the prize-winning projects of 10 award cycles in important historical and architectural settings, and has invited the leading thinkers and practitioners of the day to frame the discourse 10 th on architectural excellence within the context of successive master juries and steering committees. Cycle 1st Cycle 6th Cycle Award Award Ceremony Ceremony Pakistan 1980 Indonesia 1995 2nd Cycle 7th Cycle Award Award Ceremony Ceremony Turkey 1983 Spain 1998 3rd Cycle 8th Cycle Award Award Ceremony Ceremony Morocco 1986 Syria 2001 4th Cycle 9th Cycle Award Award Ceremony Ceremony Egypt 1989 India 2004 Building for Change With an introduction by Homi K. Bhabha 5th Cycle Samir Kassir Square Beirut Lebanon 10th Cycle Award Rehabilitation of the City of Shibam Yemen Award Ceremony Central Market Koudougou Burkina Faso Ceremony 182 183 Uzbekistan 1992 University of Technology Petronas Bandar Seri Iskandar Malaysia Malaysia 2007 Restoration of the Amiriya Complex
    [Show full text]
  • Downloads/2003 Essay.Pdf, Accessed November 2012
    UCLA UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title Nation Building in Kuwait 1961–1991 Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/91b0909n Author Alomaim, Anas Publication Date 2016 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles Nation Building in Kuwait 1961–1991 A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture by Anas Alomaim 2016 © Copyright by Anas Alomaim 2016 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Nation Building in Kuwait 1961–1991 by Anas Alomaim Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture University of California, Los Angeles, 2016 Professor Sylvia Lavin, Chair Kuwait started the process of its nation building just few years prior to signing the independence agreement from the British mandate in 1961. Establishing Kuwait’s as modern, democratic, and independent nation, paradoxically, depended on a network of international organizations, foreign consultants, and world-renowned architects to build a series of architectural projects with a hybrid of local and foreign forms and functions to produce a convincing image of Kuwait national autonomy. Kuwait nationalism relied on architecture’s ability, as an art medium, to produce a seamless image of Kuwait as a modern country and led to citing it as one of the most democratic states in the Middle East. The construction of all major projects of Kuwait’s nation building followed a similar path; for example, all mashare’e kubra [major projects] of the state that started early 1960s included particular geometries, monumental forms, and symbolic elements inspired by the vernacular life of Kuwait to establish its legitimacy.
    [Show full text]
  • The Architecture of Architecture
    Great Mosque of Niono, Niono, Mali Hafsia Quarter I, Tunis, Tunisia THE ARCHITECTURE OF Architectural discourse has established exclusivity in many domains of the built environment. The essence of this ARCHITECTURE exclusivity is drawn from the profession's commitment and concern for quality and its preoccupation with aesthetics. Suha Ozkan Since it is a fine art, architecture can permit itself the privilege of exclusivity, as it has for centuries, but time has changed and is changing continuously. The realities which governed the 'classical' world of architects and architecture have become such a complex set of pressures and forces that it is often easier to deny their relevance to architecture than to struggle to accommodate them within the profession. Yet the profession comprises such strong ethics that many archi­ tects, even at the risk of being marginalised, have committed themselves to grappling with the vast problems of societal transformations. However, the boundaries of the profession have never been wide enough to encompass new approaches, and now, towards the end of the second millennium, the blind denial of pressing problems has led the profession itself to become marginal. Even as the concerns to broaden the focus of the profes­ sion became evident, concern and unease with the present continued to mount. In 1980, when the winning projects for the first cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture were announced, the architectural community worldwide reacted with surprise. It was not the quality of the winning projects but the Award's definition of 'excellence in architecture' that was communicated and that became the key expression of the Award's mission.
    [Show full text]
  • Dr Ehab Edited
    ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER (BETWEEN LEGITIMACY AND DISPARITY) Ehab Nasr Elden Ahmed Mohamed Department of Architectural, Faculty of Engineering, Mataria, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Despite the cultural background similarity of Arab Islamic architects’ seniors and pioneers, and the existence of constants representing legitimacy, the final architectural product varies depending on the individual creativity in relating the architectural elements, either elements that pertain to the identity representation of the inherited architecture or elements pertain to the identity representation of the Arab Islamic contemporary architecture product. That created a specific style for each architect according to the degree of their conclusions, investigation’s strategy of traditional roots in their products and works, which are often associated with certain values and the ambit of their interest to represent the identity of contemporary Arab Islamic architecture. In addition to the existence of two main strong motives, the need for affiliation and the need for distinguishing oneself and diversity, in parallel with the presence of the methodological pluralism for every Muslim architect. Keywords : Architectural Character, Islamic Culture, Identity Abstrak Terlepas dari kesamaan latar belakang budaya arsitek Islam Arab senior dan perintis, terdapat legitimasi konstan yang mewakili dari variasi produk akhir arsitektur, tergantung pada kreativitas individu dalam hubungannya dengan elemen arsitektur, baik unsur-unsur yang berkaitan dengan representasi identitas warisan arsitektur atau unsur-unsur berkaitan dengan representasi identitas produk arsitektur kontemporer Islam Arab. Hal itu menciptakan gaya tertentu untuk setiap arsitek sesuai dengan tingkat penalaran mereka, strategi investigasi terhadap akar tradisional terhadap produk dan karya mereka, sering dikaitkan dengan nilai-nilai tertentu dan minatnya untuk mewakili identitas kontemporer arsitektur Islam Arab.
    [Show full text]
  • Cities' Identity Through Architecture and Arts
    CITIES’ IDENTITY THROUGH ARCHITECTURE AND ARTS CITAA17_FM.indd 1 4/23/2018 7:35:53 PM PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CITIES’ IDENTITY THROUGH ARCHITECTURE & ARTS, CAIRO, EGYPT, 11–13 MAY 2017 Cities’ Identity Through Architecture and Arts Editors Anna Catalani College of Arts, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK Zeinab Nour Associate Professor in Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Helwan University, Egypt Antonella Versaci Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University “Kore” of Enna, Italy Dean Hawkes Architect and Award-Winning Academic, Cambridge, UK Hocine Bougdah Professor of Architectural Technology, Canterbury School of Architecture, University for the Creative Arts, UK Professor Adolf Sotoca Chair Professor in Architecture at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden Professor Mahmoud Ghoneem Associate Professor in Architecture Department, Faculty of Fine Arts, Helwan University, Egypt Professor Ferdinando Trapani Professor of Urban Planning, Architecture, Palermo University, Italy CITAA17_FM.indd 3 4/23/2018 7:35:53 PM Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, London, UK Typeset by V Publishing Solutions Pvt Ltd., Chennai, India Printed and bound in Great Britain by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY Although all care is taken to ensure integrity and the quality of this publication and the information herein, no responsibility is assumed by the publishers nor the author for any damage to the property or persons as a result of operation or use of this publication and/or the information contained herein. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.tandfebooks.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.
    [Show full text]
  • Contemporary Arab Architecture: Space, Form, and Function
    Lonaard Magazine is a peer-reviewed periodical, publication of Lonaard Group in London Issue 7, Volume 2, January 2011, ISSN: 2045 – 8150 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Contemporary Arab Architecture: Space, Form, and Function Dr. Waleed Al Sayyed 1 1. Director - Lonaard and Dar Mimar Research and Design Group, London - UK. Sent for evaluation on (07 November 2011), and was approved on (12 January 2012) Abstract This paper focuses on contemporary Arab architecture from three main angles: First it explores the extent to which previous research and studies dealt rigorously with the symbolism of physical form(s) in Islamic architecture. Second it turns to the problematic issue of form versus function in design that is the centre of debate and criticism as far as contemporary Arab architects' attempts are concerned. Third, and more precisely, it looks closely at the theoretical framework of two contemporary Arab architects, Hassan Fathy and Rasem Badran. The scope of the research is limited to the available literature review available in the record first on the so called ‘Islamic’ Architecture, which this paper argues it is a pre-requisite to understand contemporary Arab Architecture for its vital influence on architects. The methodology of this paper is to review, analyze, and discuss various arguments to establish certain standing points for further research. The aim of the preview is to focus on the vernacular, space, form versus function for further research to understand the way contemporary architects may approach design issues. contemporary architects' designs, even when the 1. Introduction urban, regional, or trans-regional context is Two main conclusions can be derived from the believed to be different? paper (Tradition versus Modernity: From Cultural Discourse to Architectural Crisis (Al Sayyed, The questions, notably, bring to the front stage two 2011).
    [Show full text]
  • Contemporary Arab Architecture
    Contemporary Arab Architecture Toward an Islamic Identity country in which it is located, thereby taking on a regional identity. This assimila­ This is an introduction and first in a series of tion can be seen in North Africa, Iraq, articles which will attempt to examine contribu­ Sudan, Persia, Indonesia, and even - in tions made by Arab architects to the tranifo17na­ first attempts - in the new Islamic centres tion of the contemporary environment in their in Madrid, Rome, Chicago and other cities countries. The articles will cover the writings and in Europe and America. But, in whatever buildings of Hassan Fathy and other Egyptian country one finds Islamic architecture, as architects, working today in Egypt and other diverse as it might be, its Islamic identity is countries such as Japan, Canada, Germany and always visible. Saudi Arabia. Other articles will look into Iraq, To a large extent contemporary Arab which developed its own architectural importance architecture is dominated by Western influ­ through the influence of Mohamed Saleh Makiya, ence which manifests itself in technology and the Arab architects working in Morocco, and new building types which were un­ Algeria, Tunisia, Lybia, Syria, Jordan, Leba­ known in traditional Islarllic architecture. non, Sudan and the Arab Peninsula. The Fazlur R Khan, one of the revolutionary common denominator of the architects from these innovators of Western technology, defined countries is their search for identity, which is a these relations in his paper at the First fundamental necessity in order to continue the Seminar of the Aga Khan A ward for great tradition of Islamic architecture.
    [Show full text]
  • Competition for the Reconstruction of the Destroyed Palestinian Villages 1947-1949
    Competition for the Reconstruction of the Destroyed Palestinian Villages 1947-1949 RPV_2018_Brochure_A5H_28pg.indd 1 02/09/2018 13:41 RPV_2018_Brochure_A5H_28pg.indd 2 02/09/2018 13:41 Competition for the Reconstruction of the Destroyed Palestinian Villages 1947-1949 RPV_2018_Brochure_A5H_28pg.indd 1 02/09/2018 13:42 RPV_2018_Brochure_A5H_28pg.indd 2 2 Competition forTheReconstructionoftheDestroyedPalestinianVillages Competition for the Reconstruction of the Destroyed 02/09/2018 13:42 Palestinian Villages Competition Year 2 (2017-2018) 3 Competition Organisers Participating Universities The Palestine Land Society (PLS) Al-Najah University, Nablus, Palestine Founder: Dr Salman Abu Sitta, PhD, MIStructE, PEng Birzeit University, Ramallah, Palestine Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine Competition Coordinator Palestine Polytechnic University, Al Khalil, Palestine Antoine E Raffoul, RIBA, ICOMOS (UK) University of Petra, Amman, Jordan Competition Administrators University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan American University of Beirut, Lebanon Palestinian Regeneration Team (PART) PA for the Competition: Denisa Groza (PART) Students from Occupied Palestine 1948 Awards and Exhibition Venue Graphic Design The P21 Gallery, 21-27 Chalton Street, London Roberto Gesuale (PART) NW1 1JD, UK Director: Dr Yahya Zaloom Competition Jury Members Dr Rasem Badran, Architect, Palestine Angela Brady, OBE PPRIBA, PDSA Brady Mallalieu Architects Ltd, UK Dr Nasser Golzari, University of Westminster Golzari-NGArchitects, UK Professor Robert Mull, Architect, University of Brighton, UK Dr Yara Sharif, Architect, Golzari-NGArchitects, UK Dr Viktoria Waltz, Architect & Consultant, Germany RPV_2018_Brochure_A5H_28pg.indd 3 02/09/2018 13:42 4 Competition for The Reconstruction of the Destroyed Palestinian Villages The Destroyed Palestinian Villages This non-binding proposal was abandoned by the A Concise History UN in mid March 1948 in favour of UN trusteeship on Palestine.
    [Show full text]
  • Riyadh Architecture in One Hundred Years Center for the Study of The
    Riyadh Architecture in One Hundred Years Center for the Study of the Built Environment (CSBE) 2003 Riyadh Architecture in One Hundred Years An essay on a public lecture presented by Saleh al-Hathloul at Darat al-Funun, Amman on April 21, 2002 Support for the publication of this essay has been made possible by a grant from the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development. Additional support has been provided by Darat al-Funun - The Khalid Shoman Foundation and the Architectural Section of the Jordan Engineers Association. INTRODUCTION In this Arabic-language lecture, Saleh al-Hathloul (1) discussed the urban development of the city of Riyadh (2), the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the course of the twentieth century. A great number of building and construction projects took place in Riyadh during this period, and thus, notes al-Hathloul, it is almost impossible to present these projects in detail in such a relatively short- time lecture. He divided this period of Saudi Arabia’s architectural development into two segments, tackling the issue of Riyadh’s development on two levels. In the first segment, which extends from the beginning to the middle of the twentieth century, al-Hathloul concentrated on the city’s urban development. In the second period, which extends from the middle to the end of the twentieth century, he deals with the urban developments that took place during the 1950s and 1960s, and concentrated on individual building projects that were built since the 1970s. RIYADH: A HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Riyadh’s rise as an urban center began in 1824, when Turki bin ‘Abdallah bin Muhammad bin Sa’ud (r.
    [Show full text]
  • Badrans: a Century of Tradition and Innovation — Palestine-Family.Net 9/16/20, 446 PM Palestine-Family.Net
    Badrans: A Century of Tradition and Innovation — Palestine-Family.net 9/16/20, 446 PM Palestine-Family.net By Salwa Mikdadi In the early 1900s one could name several Palestinian families known for their artistic skills. Among the families whose names were coupled with traditional Palestinian art forms were the Bishara family (mother of pearl), the Qazaz family (glassblowers), and the Nustas family (sculptors). The Badran familyʼs unique legacy lies in its passion to preserve traditions and advance Arab, Palestinian, and Islamic arts. Their contributions span a century of artistic production. The Badrans Exhibition1, scheduled to open in Jerusalem at the Palestinian Art Court – Al Hoash on October 25, will highlight the work of the three generations of this talented family. On view are examples of work by Jamal Badran, artist and expert in Islamic decorative arts and crafts; his son, the architect and artist, Rasem Badran; his daughter, the visual artist, Samira Badran; his grandson, architect Jamal Rasem Badran; and his granddaughter, the costume and set designer, Ola Badran. Jamal Badran was born in Haifa (1909-1999) into a family of pioneers who dedicated their talents to further art education and Arab Islamic decorative arts in Palestine and other Arab countries. In addition to his uncle, Abdel Rahman Badran – who worked in Egypt in illuminating and transcribing manuscripts – the family was blessed with three artists; each excelled in one or two forms of decorative art. A family friend introduced Jamal Badran to painting on canvas and encouraged him to study art; eager to start, he travelled alone to Cairo at the young age of thirteen to study at the School of Applied Arts and Crafts where he specialized in the art of leather work, design, and surface decoration on a variety of media.
    [Show full text]
  • Politics and Identity in Design: an Analysis of Two Contemporary
    The American University in Cairo School of Humanities and Social Sciences Politics and Identity in Design: An Analysis of Two Contemporary Cairene Mosques Volume I A Thesis submitted to The Department of Arab and Islamic Civilizations in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Islamic Art and Architecture by Leena Sadek under the supervision of Dr. Bernard O’Kane 2018 For my father. 1 Table of Contents Introduction 3 Review of Literature 5 Sources and Methodology 8 1.0 Theoretical framework 10 1.1 Modernism and the International Style 10 1.2 Traditionalism 16 1.3 Regionalism 31 2.0 The Mosques 45 2.1 The Hassan Abbas Sharbatly Mosque 45 Location 46 Plan 46 Division of Space 47 Decorative Program & Materials 48 2.2 The Police Mosque of New Cairo 60 Location 61 Plan 63 Division of space 65 Decorative program & materials 66 3.0 Conclusion 78 Bibliography 98 2 Introduction Forging a national identity has been an issue many Islamic nations have undergone and struggled with in the wake of a colonial era long established in the third world. The attempts at achieving such a goal have been varied, with many seeking to revive their pre-colonial past under new and modern implications. The success of such attempts has not yet yielded a satisfactory template that can be applied without question in one nation, let alone across the Islamic world. Nonetheless, such a quintessential conundrum has not hindered the building program of many nations, who are still striving to achieve their own building style that is a reflection of their history and national identity.
    [Show full text]