NO PLAGIRISM.......Simple Essay

Writing assignment Introduction:   In around 1700 the Islamic flourishing begins a slow decline. The decline is seen clearly in the inability of Islamic Architecture to conjure new forms and techniques that deal with the modern age. Reliance on old decorations is common and few architects have the courage to produce something both new and inspiring, to produce a new trend that can be labeled as ‘Modern Islamic Architectural Resurgence’.     Islamic Architecture has throughout history been able to incorporate elements from outside the Islamic world, reinterpreting them by adding new meaning and generating new and interesting uses, slowly incorporating them as part of the Islamic repertoire. This aspect is what might have given Islam the universality that it has always enjoyed.   There are, and has been no color limitations in regard to Islamic architectural design throughout history, this current limitation in terms of colors such as green is a very recent occurrence. The question is thus, can we break out of these limitations of the past and create our own new symbolism in Architecture. Can we through modern techniques address the feelings evoked in historical buildings, feelings such as: security, peace, embracing, direction, luxury, happiness, harmony, unity, openness, concentration, infinity, life, curiosity, variety, comfort, greatness, unity, sociability, depth, hope, monumentality, tranquility, spirituality, inviting, simplicity, intensity, natural, purity, amazement, continuity, importance, beauty, symmetry, purity, memorization, intimidating, duty, attractive, harmony, endless space, softness in lighting, complexity   What could be the techniques to achieve such architecture? What design aspects need to be put in mind, how should they be manipulated. Could the evolution witnessed in other religious architecture, be reproduced

and represented in Islamic Architecture? If so how? What are the directives?   Through this assignment the students will look into modern examples attempting to deduce from them lessons, to imitate, or to avoid. Lessons that can take us one step further to developing a new repertoire for 21st century Islamic Architecture. As a religion, Islam, is fitting to every place and every era, the flexibility of the religion and its teachings allow it to be relevant to each age and people. Can this quality be reflected through Architecture? If so how?         Assignment:   Choose 2 modern mosques (no older than 100 years), one as a good example of a Mosque able to produce new elements and successfully produce refreshingly new and interesting architecture and the other a bad example of a mosque that has been trapped in the past and produced through repetition of older features in an unstudied manner and uninspiring manner. Explain how you feel each has succeeded / failed in producing novel and interesting architecture. In your analysis explain how the buildings chosen were able (or were not able) to evoke some of the feelings mentioned in the introduction.   Task:   To write an approximately 2000 word short essay reflecting on the two mosques chosen. Use images to illustrate your points and descriptions as clear as possible.