rite? WRIGHT .
hrhdania@outlook.com +91 9205917802 Kolkata Dania Irshad thebookisharchitect
Dania Irshad “I am currently a pre-final year student, pursuing B.Arch from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, who focuses her intent as an architect with a social conscience, not only wishes to design for the users but also in consideration with the environment. I am a voracious reader and a passionate writer. Using my role in analysis, communications, management, dedication and positive reinforcement, intend to make a positive difference for the development of the community.”
D.O.B
27th September, 1997 Indian
NATIONALITY LANGUAGE
PERMANENT ADDRESS
Hindi (native) Urdu (native) English (fluent) Italian (basics) 90, Topsia Road 2nd Floor, Amina Bagh Kolkata-700039
EDUCATION Bachelor of Architecture (2017-2022), Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 74.4% Senior Secondary (XII-CISCE) Mahavir Institute of Education and Research (20152016) 92.75% Secondary (X-CISCE) Mahavir Institute of Education and Research (20132014) 87.20%
INTERESTS
POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Reading
Sustainability Research Associate: March 2021-Present GBRI
Writing
Editorial Director: May 2021-Present
Research
Musaidah Foundation-Service to Humanity (NGO)
Learning Languages
Editorial Team: 2019-Present
Travel
Eutony, bi-annual magazine, Parwaaz, Literary Society, FA+E, Jamia Millia Islamia
Photography Urban Sketching
Editorial Team: 2018-Present
Art and Craft
The Wall Post (newsletter), FA+E, Jamia Millia Islamia
Solving Puzzles
Editorial Intern: Aug 2020-Jan 2021
Cooking
Rethinking the Future, Virtual
Bibliography Intern: April 2020-May 2020
TECHNICAL SKILLS
India Lost and Found, Virtual
Autodesk AUTOCAD
Drafting
PROJECT - PUBLIC INTEREST DESIGN Kaavish - a flight towards change: Apr 2019 - May 2019
Autodesk Revit
BIM 3D Modeling
SketchUp Rhinocerous 3D Autodesk 3D Studio Max
Renovation of a pre-primary school, Mushir Fatima, Jamia Millia Islamia. Create an interactive space for children and to inculcate the idea that learning is not just confined within the walls of a classroom. The design focusing on child psychology, imagination and experience.
Rendering
CERTIFICATIONS
Publishing
Adobe InDesign
Scripting/Coding
Java (basics) Python (basics)
The Sustainable Development Goals – A global, transdisciplinary vision for the future (Coursera) Fundamentals of Graphic Design (Coursera)
V-Ray, Lumion Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator
Graphics
Others
MS-Office
Organizational Behavior: How to Manage People (Coursera)
PUBLISHED WORKS Role of Water in Traditional Islamic Architecture (article) 10 Things to remember when designing in Madrid (article) Josmo Studio - 10 Iconic Products (article) Why architecture needs a social conscience? (article) Interview with Architects: Visions and Voices: An Evening with Zaha Hadid (article)
UNPUBLISHED WORKS Metaphorical Dimensions of a Paradise Garden. Paper (2019-2020). Indian Architect: Amit Dissertation (2019-2020)
Khanna.
Seth Dayaram Dedraj Goenka Haveli. Dissertation (2018-2019) The Advent and Dissolution of Calligraphy in India. Dissertation (2017-2018)
C ontent
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Reviving vernacular by implementing the modern technologies and green building strategies Why architecture needs a social conscience? 10 Things to remember when designing in Madrid Role of water in traditional Islamic Architecture
Book Review: Surrealism and Architecture by Thomas Mical
The Wall Post: Contributions
Quotes and Poems
Reviving vernacular by implementing the modern technologies and green building strategies
Ilma Nafees Dania Irshad Sameena Parveen B.Arch, Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, JMI, New Delhi. email: nafeesilma@gmail.com, hrhdania@outlook.com, sameenap191@ gmail.com
Abstract of a Research Paper accepted for publication in the book titled 'Architecture & Planning for Villages' and presentation in Architecture for Masses 2021. Link for the presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JHfJCv2NJw
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Abstract Vernacular architecture developed culturally accepted design strategies, the application of which utilized the locally available materials catering to the immediate needs of a particular place. They point towards the specifics of a place, reflecting the tradition of the time of its implementation. The vernacular structures that still stand on its foundation, have been considered to be a paradigm of sustainable solutions to the challenges that we face at present. The influence of modernization has its toll on every aspect of the lives of the living. It has its stamp marked on not just the lifestyle but also how built spaces are designed. The vernacular strategies introduce us to the concepts, ideologies, and the functional aspect of the built spaces, concerning the inhabitants of the place. Traditional characters become less important as modernization takes hold. The complete adoption of modern architecture would succeed in creating fresh aesthetics that somehow lacks identity, encourages homogenization, and has no character linking to the history, time, and location creating an irrevocable dissatisfaction within the user of the spaces. Despite the contrasting perspectives, the usage of modern, and innovative building schemes, continue to be considered as a characteristic feature of modern architecture. Going by the present definition of traditional, it is viewed as an antonym of modernity. The study investigates the aspects of mainstream modernist design concepts and solutions, and green building
strategies which can become an inherent part of the traditional design approach, bringing in an essence of modernity along. The study deals with the analysis of the vernacular and the modern architecture of Rajasthan by practical exercises and fieldwork studies. This kind of work links on such ideas and practices as ecological, modular and phased design, standardization, and flexible and temporal concepts in the design of spaces. The blurred edges between the traditional and modern technical aspects of building design, as addressed by both vernacular builders and modern architects, are explored to revive the vernacular architecture by the implementation of modern technologies and green building strategies. The study focuses on bringing to the rural areas the strategies necessary for a comfortable living condition by analysing the prevailing techniques in the form of green building strategies further assessed for their aptness as per the present condition. The implementation of modern strategies, in a blend, with the local materials and construction techniques without ceasing the identity and vernacularism of the structure is required for sustainable development of rural areas. The proposed strategy would increase the efficiency of the built structure as well as preserve the cultural identity and is in harmony with the natural environment. Keywords: culture, green building, rural, sustainability, vernacular
Many artistic movements were initiated against social injustice and inequity. The idea of art is not just to exhibit the creative mind of an artist but to portray the realities of society that goes unnoticed. Art exposes the truth that we see but we fear accepting. It creates an awareness among the community to identify the issues, whereas the architecture is the social conscience of the process that comes next, resolving and proposing the solutions to the problems identified. Art is a cultural tool to humanize and actualize emotions, and grievances and architectural interventions transform them into tangible forms that inculcate those emotions in the inhabitants and the users. Art enables visionary thinking inspiring us to action and architectural design is the action.
transformed-into-buildings-archist-federico-babina/
Art and Architecture as a Social Change
Figure 1: Art meets architecture in Federico Babinas Archist Series Source: https://www.dezeen.com/2014/03/05/famous-artworks-
why architecture needs a social conscience?
The recent years have marked an inflection of catastrophic events - the pandemic, environmental peril afflicted by climate change, the gradual fall of the GDP, and disruption in the global economy; gender, racial, religious discrimination causing civil unrest. The disbalance caused by any one of the factors will have a significant impact on the rest. The basic notion of architecture is assumed to be dealing with the built environment, the interventions, and the consequences. The role of social conscience in architecture is to cater to the needs of creating a healthy and equitable environment for everything that exists - the humans, the land, the vegetation, the water, and other organisms that exist. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) also took the initiative to add social conscience into its LEED rating system through SEED, thus including humanity into the sustainable design concept.
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Architecture as a Social Responsibility The issues of poverty, inequality, hunger, segregation, increasing population, urban sprawling, can be solved by effective design solutions. Architects have a social responsibility to create a balance between dreams and reality, objectivity, and subjectivity. More and more crowds migrate towards the urban areas from the rural because of the availability of the facilities that they lack. This increases the pressure on the manufacturing and production industries, land, housing, lack of employment opportunities generating more numbers of slums and people falling below the poverty line. The proposition is such to create available resources to the place where people are migrating to whereas the social conscience of an architect should to holistically develop for the rural as well as Figure 2: Concept of Alejandro Aravena Increthe urban community in their own respective mental Housing space in whatever infrastructure is lacking. Source: http://www.elementalchile.cl/en/ Alejandro Aravena, a Chilean architect, considering the local community needs of low-incoming housing for the people on the lower strata of society in terms of means, proposed a "half-good-house" which has fully functional spaces yet unfinished so that the occupants can improve and make changes according to their lifestyle and when they have the means. The concept introduces a sense of belonging within the inhabitants and the potential to rise above the poverty line. The blueprints are available for free online for use. The gesture of social conscience and the desire of uplifting the standard of living for the less fortunate can solve the issue on a global level.
Figure 3: Incremental Housing by Alejandro Aravena Source: https://inhabitat.com/pritzker-prize-winner-alejandro-aravena-releases-free-housing-designs-to-fight-homelessness/incremental-housing-alejandro-aravena/
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Architecture of Engagement The Agbogblogshie Makerspace Platform, a pan-African participatory design initiative, created a mobile workshop in an area that was considered a toxic e-waste dump. Few students from an architectural background realized the potential of the site and transformed it from toxic to habitable for recycling, making, trading. Thus, making it into an open-air manufactory-cumlaboratory, using local materials from the scrapyard, to produce something useful. It also provided learning and trading opportunities for the local people and uplifting their standard of living. The social conscience in architecture is not only focusing on the housing needs but also how to bring a community together and to instill a sense of belonging within them. The architect can build or create spaces, it is the work of the community to keep it habitable. The architecture of engagement leads to the exchange of wisdom between different groups of the society paving a method of creation Figure 4: Agbogblogshie Makerspace Platform where everyone works as a team Source: https://www.dezeen.com/2016/05/16/agbogbloshie-e-waste-dump-makerspace-platform-spacecraft-mobile-arand builds with their own hands.chitecture-workshop-ghana-julien-lanoo-photography/
Architecture of Environmental Responsibility The interdependency of humans and natural resources and the imbalance in nature created by human activities would worsen the situation in the coming future if proper strategies are not adopted and implemented. The idea of sustainability is making its way in every discipline. Many have the notion that switching towards sustainability may prove to be expensive, unaware of the sustainable strategies that are not only efficient but also cost-effective. It is observed that a built environment generates more emissions than the transport industry. Many architects with a social conscience find solutions to reduce the emissions generated to counter its effect on the climate. The passive and traditional strategies of building sciences are sustainable and if they are taken care of at the beginning of a design process, then half the issue will already be resolved. The orientation of the building, passive cooling
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techniques, promoting natural ventilation through openings at the right location, can be some of the factors that dictate the efficiency of design. Ashok B. Lall designed Butterflies Resilience Centre, a temporary house for the street kids in New Delhi. The social conscience of the architect pushes him towards the sustainable techniques of construction which were implemented in the project. The extracted soil from the basement was used as a primary material for the construction of walls. Second-handstore bought doors and windows, recycled construction debris used for short-span filler slabs, use of courtyard for enhancing the building performance, and the micro-climate of the interior space. The techniques not only set a paradigm for ease of construction but also provide a sustainable, cost-efficient, and eco-friendly approach to buildings.
Figure 5: Butterflies Resilience Centre Source: Chetna Singh (https://www.stirworld.com/see-featuresashok-lall-designs-butterflies-resilience-centre-a-temporaryhome-for-street-kids)
Architecture needs a social conscience to create a balance, to create an equitable space for all the elements that comprise a community, to address the local needs of the community, to promote the architecture of belonging, and to humanize design. The socially responsible architecture reflects sincerity and intentions, to create a better tomorrow, to create a better world. It aims to enhance the quality of living and to improve the functionality of the spaces. Architects work in pursuit of the benefits of the community. Architects do not just design buildings, they shape lives. Figure 6: Building a Greener Community Source: U.S. Green Building Council, Beaufort County Planning
10 Things to remember when designing in Madrid
Every place, every city has the visual language that defines itself. The city of Madrid has an overwhelming number of structures, each of which has a story to tell. The process of designing in Madrid would not impact only the unbuilt site but also the built-unbuilt context. It adds to the tales to a tapestry that is experienced while moving around in the city. Introducing an unknown in the realms of life of the city rich in cultural history and architecture could change the dimensions of the visual language of the buildings around. Thus, a few elements that should be given importance to, were identified. These ten factors are listed below.
1.Identifying and accessing cultural significance El Palacio Real de El Pardo
The richness of the culture becomes a source of inspiration for the design of the future. Learning about the structures significant in history shows not only aesthetical design but also functional significance. After the reconquest of Spain, construction of buildings began to mark a time in history. One such structure was El Palacio Real de El Pardo, a palace commissioned by Enrique III. The palace was occupied as a residence by the royalties of Spain. Figure 2:Transformed Coliving in Madrid Source: https:// www.archdaily. com/930394/ tetuan-colivingch-plus-qs-ar quitectos/5d f81ea53312fd 4f3000019etetuan-colivingch-plus-qsarquitectosphoto?next_ project=no
Figure 1: El Palacio Real De El Pardo Source: https://study.com/academy/ lesson/madrid-history-culture-facts. html#:~:text=Lesson%20Summary-,Madrid%20 is%20the%203rd%20largest%20city%20in%20 the%20European%20Union,cultural%20climate%20 unlike%20any%20other.
2.Managing change cultural heritage
to
conserve
the
Protecting the cultural heritage and its values for the future is an obligation. The use of modern technologies and methodology is adopted to protect and preserve the architectural and cultural history. Yet, the most effective way to conserve cultural heritage is adaptive reuse.
Figure 3: Coliving in Madrid Source: https://www.archdaily.com/930394/ tetuan-coliving-ch-plus-qs-arquitectos/5df81 ea53312fd4f3000019e-tetuan-coliving-ch-plusqs-arquitectos-photo?next_project=no
The Architects redeveloped a residential building built in the 60s in a traditional neighbourhood of Madrid into a coliving space for about 20 people. They used the concept defined by an Urban Sociologist Ray Oldenburg, "third place". This theory defines the aspect of human psychological fulfilment is achieved from creating a space for interaction between the realms of home and workplace. Figure 4: Coliving in Madrid Source: https://www.archdaily. com/930394/tetuan-coliving-chplus-qs-arquitectos/5df81ea53312 fd4f3000019e-tetuan-coliving-chplus-qs-arquitectos-photo?next_ project=no
The spatial arrangements comprised of shared spaces such as kitchen, co-working space, living room, parking, and terrace, between the people inhabiting the space. Every room has a bathroom attached to them for privacy. The user of the buildings are mainly students or workers that do not belong to the local community and the shared experience provides a sense of belonging to them.
3.Consideration for environmental sustainablity Madrid dormitory town of Tres Cantos
For the ecological balance to be maintained, sustainable practices are mandatory for implementation. The Madrid dormitory town of Tree Cantos is a modestly priced residential complex certified as LEED platinum. The complex comprises 80 resourceefficient apartments occupied by 225 people belonging to the age group of the 30s and 40s. The building is efficient in energy and water and helps Figure 5: Madrid Dormitory Town of Tres Cantos to cope up with the heatwaves hitting Source:https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2016/07/12/ inenglish/1468320743_635788.html#:~:text=The%20only%20 the city using the climate control residential%20complex%20in,dormitory%20town%20of%20Tres%20 system maintaining an optimum Cantos. internal environment. The building is an exceptional example of sustainable architecture in the city of Madrid.
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4.Life of the Streets Gardens in Plaza de Espana
To understand the culture of a place, learn about the streets, and its functions. Streets act as the highest source of metaphysical essence and energies. Madrid is a city that shows the sign of liveliness through its streetscape. When the harsh winter fangs subside, and the essence of spring marks the beginning of a pleasant time of occupying volumes in the unbuilt, humans do not hesitate to do so. The Gardens of Plaza de Espana is quite popular among the locals as well as tourists. The people experience the life of the city, take in the rich and varied heritage surrounding them through the street. Understanding how the street functions as a public space is an important design factor to be considered.
Figure 6: Gardens in Plaza De Espana Source: http://www.analogsenses.com/2015/03/12/thearrival-of-spring-street-photography-in-madrid-withthe-olympus-17mm-f-slash-1-dot-8-lens/
5.Zonation- Linkage between functions to spaces (Statutory Framework) Tabacalera
Figure 7: Tabacalera Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ofernandezberrios/
The relationship of the spatial arrangements to their functions is interestingly planned. Madrid's old tobacco factory is currently occupied as a community space managed by the citizens occupying the neighborhood. The factory is utilized as an adaptive reuse project in which different rooms are assigned to ideas and projects, not people. The rooms are mostly shared spaces that allow for the mingling of diverse groups of people.
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6.Enhancing the quality of Life (Ordinance Plan) Carabanchel 16
The main objective of Madrid's Ordinance plan was to improve the condition of the community as a whole. It focuses on the holistic development of the place and its users. One of the issues identified was the shortage of affordable housing in Madrid. Carabanchel 16 served as a sustainable housing solution for the people to enhance their quality of life in the city of Madrid. The 88-unit housing building was designed by Alejandro Zaera Polo of Foreign Office Architects to provide to the shortage of affordable housing for the community of Madrid. The structure was designed following the aesthetics and functionality of the spaces. The housing complex catered to the need to channelizing the natural resources into the structure. The use of folded bamboo shutters assists in keeping the abundant amount of sunlight and heat to enter through the complex. The users can manually operate the element according to their convenience. The varying degree of the ever-changing profile of the bamboo louver in different angles also paves the way to an interesting game of light and shadow.
7.Visual Identitystanding out? Carabanchel 24
Figure 8: Carabanchel 16 Source: https:// www.core77.com/ posts/6803/ Carabanchel16-sustainablepublic-housingin-Madrid Figure 9: Carabanchel 24 https:// commons. wikimedia. org/wiki/ File:Edificio_ Carabanchel_24_ (Madrid)_02a.jpg
Blending
in
or
The visual identity is necessary for terms of the imageability and wayfinding in the city. The Carabanchel 24, a building in Madrid, is housing in vibrant colored and simple, and rectangular facades. The bright colors evoke a perception of a vibrant urban environment acting as a landmark for that area. The colors are significant and distinct and dominate the other structures in the area as they follow the same visual language, creating a line of monotonous facades. The colorful structure not only breaks the monotony but also adds an aesthetic sense to the place. The building promotes an inviting and welcoming gesture and tends to impact positively on anyone whose gaze falls on it.
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8.Urban Areas to consider the application of the biosphere reserve principles (Seville Strategy) Sierra del Rincon
The balance of nature not maintained causes consequences. The Seville Strategy introduces the concept of the Biosphere Reserve and how it is necessary. It not only promotes sustainable economic activities but also maintains the ecology. When they become a part of the urban areas, it will facilitate community engagement and a ground for interaction and exchange of ideas. Hayedo de Montejo (Sierra del Rincon), declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO is one Figure 10: Sierra Del Rincon https://www.esmadrid.com/en/hayedo-montejo-sierraof Madrid's extraordinary sites, located Source: rincon?utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F on the banks of the Jarama river that arrests the tourists in the beauty of nature. The locals managed to establish a sustainable relationship with the biosphere reserve. The rich landscape, abundant with trees and species of varying kinds, and its network of development of a sustainable ecosystem is a paradigm for the selected list of places globally to make up the network of a biosphere reserve.
9.Modernizing traditional architecture or traditionalizing modern architecture? Casa Gallardo
A mandatory trait for architectural design is its adaptability and flexibility. With the advent of modernism, an approach of incorporating elements of aesthetics into the architectural design was influenced by the introduction of modernismo, Spanish expression of Art-Noveau. Casa Gallardo is Figure 11: Casa Gallardo Source: https://www.estateone.biz/blog/the-beauty-ofa representation of the movement. As an casa-gallardo/?lang=en important modernist building, the Casa Gallardo allows for the passerby to appreciate the heavily ornamented building that does not stand for contemporary times but also holds an element of its cultural background.
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10. Reflection of History Palacio da Bolsa
Every city has a historical background. A history that needs not to be forgotten. A history conveyed through time and time for generations and generations. The design interventions should incorporate a pattern of reflecting history. The name Madrid was derived from the initial name that was given to the city by the Arabs, Magerit, which means a place of many streams. The land proved to be beneficial for the people of the deserts with water since it's a prime element. Thus, the war between the Christians and the Moors led to the erection massive, monumental structures to prove their identity. Palacio da Bolsa is one such beauty that was built as a stock exchange building in the 19th century. The interior is extravagantly ornamented reflecting the luxurious and rich artistic culture of the land. Currently, the palace is utilized in receiving the heads of the states and other dignitaries reflecting on how it was a European center of investment in the past. Figure 12:Palacio Da Bolsa Source: https://www.travel-inportugal.com/photos/palacio-dabolsa-interior.htm
The influence of design is not limited only to the users but it also shapes the life in and around the city. It is important to analyze the unique as well as the common smallest addressable elements that impact design. The designers are responsible for maintaining harmony in the natural as well as the built environment.
Role of Water in Traditional Islamic Architecture
The description of Paradise in the Holy Quran served as the basis for the design of gardens all over the Muslim World and was also incorporated into Islamic Architecture. They tried to create reflections of Paradise on Earth. The influence could be seen from India in the east to Spain in the west. The variations in the design are derived according to the regional differences that exist.
MAIN CONCEPT AND PHILOSOPHIES Architecture as Tawheed:
Unity and Uniquity of Allah An Islamic structure should focus on strengthening the bond between Muslims within the conformity of God's will. The garden acts as a gathering space and catering to the need for a social space for society.
The architecture of Ihtiram: Respect
Should portray obedience to Allah. It is mentioned in the Quran that Allah loves beautification. Gardens are a form of beautifying a space. It is an act of piousness to please Allah.
Figure 1: Design Principles of Traditional Islamic Garden Source: Author
Figure 2: Sacred Elements in Islamic Architecture Source: Author
Figure 3: Verse Source: https://starsinsymmetry.wordpress.com/category/imagining-islamicaesthetic/
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Architecture with Ikhlas: Sincerity The design should depict purity and sincerity. The symmetrical planning and the grandeur of the garden in itself depict the dedication and sincerity that helped in the evolution of Islamic Architecture that constituted: -Balance and Symmetry -Concept of perfect creation -Formal Landscape -Centered upon God Figure 4: Beautification of a space Source: https://starsinsymmetry.wordpress.com/ category/imagining-islamic-aesthetic/
Architecture as the pursuit of Ilm: Knowledge
It is celebrated through calligraphy of religious inscriptions and uses light as an expression of knowledge. The enclosure of the garden ornamented with calligraphic inscriptions. Muslims believe in monotheism derived from them to produce this unique Islamic art that is a clear depiction of Unity with Variety. It is a decorative element of building facades carved with verses from the Quran. The inscriptions are more or less utilized in framing on the facades of the built structure.
Figure 6: Plan of Taj Mahal Source: Ansari, Nazia: The Islamic Garden, CEPT University
Figure 5: Ornamented Façade Source: http://wanhaziqhilmi-islamicarchitecture. blogspot.com/2014/07/the-unifying-principles-of-islamic. html#:~:text=Architecture%20of%20Ihtiram%20is%20 the,creatures)%20and%20also%20towards%20oneself.
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Figure 7: Interior of the Pink Mosque, Shiraz Source: https://mymodernmet.com/nasir-al-mulk-mosque/
Architecture It should functional
Figure 8: The Pink Mosque, Shiraz Source: http://architecture-mag.com/content/the-pink-mosqueunbelievably-beautiful-and-colorful/
for Iqtisad: Balance have harmony between and spiritual elements.
The architecture of Haya: Modesty The basic concept of Islamic philosophy is the design that was modest and simple. Inward planning was practiced to maintain privacy due to regional and cultural ethics. Latticed windows or openings to allow light and serve for the view of the external world.
Figure 9: Geometry of a type of Lattice Screen Source: Author
The Paradise Garden came into prominence during the Islamic Rule. The Paradise Garden acts as a metaphor for paradise on Earth. The term Paradise is derived from a Greek word, paradeiosos, which is taken from an old Avestan word predating the old Persian word, pairidaeza, meaning enclosure. The concept of enclosure of green space was introduced in Ancient Persian landscape practice. The garden was an answer to the aridity of the local climate where the high walled garden and the shady trees with its air-cooled by streams of water and fountains, was a simple symbolic representation of paradise. Cool pavilions, flowing springs, gushing fountains, shady and fruitful trees, are some of the essential features of the garden. The use of water was given importance
16 since water is scarce in the desert and they considered water as a sacred element and was bliss for them giving a calm and serene effect. The idea was to create a safe, green haven that would shut the harsh climate of the desert.
WATER IN ISLAMIC GARDEN Initially, gardens were utilized to grow orchard trees for fruits and shade as well as crops for sustaining life. In Ancient Persia, water was scarcely available, so, it was considered as a sacred entity that has dual application, one is for functional purpose and the other one is aesthetic and ornamentation purpose. The garden was provided with water channels with a sufficient slope to enable the irrigation system required for the garden. The water was obtained from Figure 10:Qanat System natural resources such as springs, sinking Source: https://www.mei.edu/publications/harvesting-waterand-harnessing-cooperation-qanat-systems-middle-eastwells. The water was transported through and-asia a network of conduit systems termed as 'Qanat' which was originally introduced in the 7th century C.E. in Persia. In the 8th century C.E., the Persians invented the water wheel to utilize the flowing water from the river and use it for irrigation.
Functional Aspect of Water
Water from aqueducts, reservoirs with the help of water lifting device, the water enters the channels in the garden and distribute water through the quadrants to help reach water for enriching the plants. The water runs through each quadrant far enough so that plant roots can reach it. Access was allowed or denied by opening or blocking the entry points with either mud or stones.
Figure 11:Layout of Water Channels Source: https://www.untermyergardens.org/walled-garden.html
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The ornamental aspect of water
Water is used to define higher volume and creates symphonies and ripples. They act as an ornamentation element of the garden. Also, for the people of the deserts, water was scarcely available so channelizing water into their enclosure also displayed a sense of luxury. Figure 12:Aga Khan Garden Source: https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14192-agakhan-garden-by-nelson-byrd-woltz-landscape-architects
Water as a means of passive cooling
The means of water created a tranquil environment in the hot arid region. It also helps in maintaining the micro-climate of the place.
Figure 13: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi Source: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/743727325944336818/?nic_ v2=1a5rHu1jH
Figure 14: Evaporative Cooling Source: https://www.pinterest.ph/ pin/438678819937607689/?nic_v2=1a5rHu1jH
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The layout of the flow of water
The water channels were located at the central axis according to the char bagh layout, creating a cross plan section of four divisions. The water channels occupied the primary and secondary axes where the water appears to be sunken.
Figure 15: Layout of a Charbagh Source: http://catnaps.org/islamic/islagard.html
Watercourse
Water is irrigated in a straight line. The direction depends on the topography, followed various angular paths, perpendicularly changing direction. It also influences the plant arrangement.
Colour
The water bed which ceramic. If then the
reflects the color of is usually turquoises the color of the bed reflection becomes
the canal and blues is brighter secondary.
They were metaphorically depicting the beauty on earth as compared to otherworldly things. The symbolism of these gardens was often displayed by the political, military, and diplomatic usage. The water flowing through the gardens emblemize the garden of the promised Paradise, as mentioned in the Quran.
Figure 16: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/ b1rvct/sheikh_zayed_grand_mosque_in_abu_dhabi_ february/
BOOK REVIEW: SURREALISM AND ARCHITECTURE BY THOMAS MICAL
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“I believe in the future resolution of these two states, dream and reality, which are seemingly so contradictory, into a kind of absolute reality, a surreality, if one may so speak.” -André Breton
The Nietzschean concept inspired Thomas Mical, a doctorate in the subject, his subject of focus being De Chirico's metaphysical paintings, who pursued his degree in Architecture from Harvard University and works towards architectural theory. He has also worked in Tokyo and Chicago as a designer. At present, he is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma. He is also an affiliate faculty member in Film Studies, Art History, and International Studies at the University. Surrealism, a concept of exploring and unfold the truths and creativity of the subconscious mind, have been a topic for discussion. The book, 'Surrealism and Architecture,' compiled by Thomas Mical, is an anthology of 21 essays exploring the idea of the metaphysical elements involved in architectural designing. Surrealism began as an Avante-Garde Movement in the 20th century found in Paris, to bring out the hidden truth that disguises itself in the normality of everyday life. It erupted as a movement against the ills of industrialization. It was a revolution that outbreaks against the societal conventions of the bourgeois society that contradicted the interest of the subconscious mind. It has been a thought overlooked for a long, long time. The surrealist thought in architecture is yet unidentified and undefined. The transformation of the notion began from written to visual art and then towards the spatial voids. Surrealism is a fine line that exists between solids and voids, dreams and reality, subjectivity and objectivity.
“Space is nothing, yet we have a kind of vague faith in it.” -Robert Smithson
People occupy the voids, yet they have a sharp focus on the solids.The void is the nullity that paves way for the energy to flow. Humans occupy the voids yet they fail to understand the meaning of the unseen energy forces that are felt through the experiences they encounter while inhabiting that particular personalized void that is the physical manifestation of the memories and imagination of their own. The metaphysical aspect of architecture lies within the fact that it influences
the user experiences of their inhabited voids in the line of time. It connects the past to the present and brings about a psychological and emotional connection. An environology master, David Koh, stated, "When people built the house, the energy inside the house is static. Once the people live in, the energy inside the house is dynamic. People may affect the building, and the building may affect the people. And it's not positive thinking that the people need, but it's the energy
21 that makes people spaces creates an in. This, in turn, physical, emotional, living tapestry and energy within the other elements too
think positively." The energy flowing through the various imbalance due to the dynamism of the humans living creates a flux within the dialects of energy within the and psychic connectivity of the people. Architecture is a a constantly changing phenomenon. The connection of the human body and outside impacts not only buildings but that together build the abstract and hypothetical whole.
The book, "Surrealism and Architecture," by Thomas Mical, explores the architectural possibilities derived from the artistic movement. Various contributors with their diverse opinions, ideologies, and methodologies, voiced their idea of the relationship of the surrealist thought and tendencies with that of architectural theories and practice. The objective of the book is to understand the concept of surrealism in light of modernism. It provides an insight into the least-examined artistic movement in association with architecture. In these essays, the authors tend to establish the techniques of destabilization of the dividing line of the aesthetic and social elements that affect the architectural elements and their psychological impact on the users. "Surrealism and Architecture" not only portrays a multiplicity of voices and thoughts of various writers, artists, architects, and urbanists emphasizing
the different models of perception and observation incorporated with an artistic effect in the essence and expectation of achieving the desired result. The interdisciplinary character of the book allows it to be a means of further discussion, also in other fields. Thomas Mical, declare the book as incomplete as the ideologies of architectural theory. He wanted to deflect the focus of interest towards the scope of achievement, development, and research on the subject. The modern technological advancements and the voices of many great theorists of surrealism are not included in the anthology of essays, many are not yet written and are currently unexplored. The idea of surrealism in architecture is still in the process of being fully explored and hence, is rendered as incomplete. New methodologies in the multidisciplinary field of architecture are still being explored leaving prospects for study, analysis, and research.
THE WALL POST: CONTRIBUTIONS
11 November 2018
17 February 2019
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18 February 2019
20 February 2019
9 November 2019
22 February 2019
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25 1 March 2020
QOUTES and POEMS
you are to me, “ what no one else could ever be.
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”
were the light within “ you I was the one where darkness begin. ” “ a generation of depressed souls and happy faces.” did not destroy you. “ He He gave you a chance to become something new. ” lost myself in the midst of chaos while trying to find “ Iyou. ” “ Maybe the kind, you cannot get over with. ” “ How I wish I could light the dark within.” memories “ vivid faded time denied reality they sublimed, into oblivion.
”
gleam of the setting sun “ The The tears in your eyes
The thought of leaving you I couldnt shun But still I had to say goodbye.
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in this moment, “ Maybe, i’d find myself too,
The way I have found you.
”
she
lurking in the dark the tears blurred her vision she had within the spark, yet excision was her decision soon the dawn, dawned upon her. The crimson hue, touched the edge of blue the encapsulated desires, held within her like a ball of fire wavered to escape. eventually, she chose to let it undrape A decision she made, to fly not to fall by.
mortality Dark, dull, desperate and depressed what the night holds disguised within the gleam of the stars, the glistening tears, and the scars. the heart clenched the pain untamed. the endeavours to set the soul free To reach an end called eternity the red that dribbled carved the mortality.
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“It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.” jane austen