Nahed Jawad

Research

Subject

A Revival of Historical Architectural Forms: The Muqarnas. Research into Three-Dimensional Islamic Geometric Patterns

First and second supervisors 

• Dr Marjan Colletti
• Professor Jonathan Hill

Abstract

The research aims to develop a revival of the muqarnas, traditional, three-dimensional geometrical Islamic patterns, for contemporary possibilities, using algorithmic computational tools and traditional mathematical and geometrical characteristics.

Muqarnas were developed to a high standard of beauty and complexity, in the rich, tectonic and ornamental tradition of Islamic patterns over a period of eight centuries. In the twentieth century, however, muqarnas patterns were rejected by Modernism and were neglected completely. With international architecture there is a lack of reference to either local history or vernacular architecture, and sadly muqarnas were introduced in buildings as a static design rather than as an evolving form.

This research aims to preserve the local identity of Islamic architecture along with generating new possibilities for the muqarnas, which may introduce both an interior and exterior visual experience. This may be achieved by articulating various typologies that challenge the conventional divisions of wall and ceiling, surface and volume, opaque and porous, monochrome and colours of Islamic architecture to develop the revival process of a historic form.

The research also aims to look into spatial, colour and environmental qualities, and how light and wind affect colour and spatial configurations.

The research will focus on different types of surfaces to help to achieve the muqarnas revival. Traditionally muqarnas were applied to overcome a transitional zone from square/rectangle to circle/dome. Nowadays, however, there are a variety of surfaces and therefore the research will investigate the abstract mathematical constructions of different typologies of surfaces, such as non-uniform or free form surfaces.

Considering both the muqarnas’ characteristics (fixed values) and attributes (the variable values) which define its form, reviving the form might be achievable by providing new values to the muqarnas’ attributes. The research goal is therefore to produce a set of techniques, tools and processes that inform the design process of contemporary possibilities.

Biography

Nahed Jawad is undertaking a PhD in Architectural Design at the Bartlett school of Architecture. She was ranked the first of Class 2005 when she graduated from the Faculty of Architecture, Damascus University, with a BA degree, and awarded a scholarship. She gained a Master’s degree in Architecture and Urbanism from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in Design Research Laboratory in 2010.

She worked at Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) for three years, working on a variety of projects such as the Signature Towers of Dubai, the Syrian Parliament new building, and the King Abdallah Petroleum Studies Research Center (KAPSARC) in Saudi Arabia.

Source of funding

Damascus University Scholarship