Mosque architecture in Malaysia : classification of styles and possible influence

The main purpose of the research is to set up an initial framework of architectural description of Muslim architecture in Malaysia within the context of the architectural concern of ‘style’. The main concern is to elucidate clearly the different architectural styles of Muslim architecture and suggest hypotheses for future studies in relation to the forces which might have been instrumental in the conception of these styles. The research is important in order to project the message that much of what we understand as ‘Islamic Architecture’ in the present literature comes from various artistic and political agendas that have questionable merits compared to an analytical approach of Islamic architecture from the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The research is also important for practicing architects to understand that the present syntax of ‘Islamic Architecture’ with its references in Middle Eastern, Mid Asian and African models are not necessarily the best precedence to project the architectural message of Islam. As opposed to the three classification of Traditional, Colonial and Modern styles of mosque architecture, the research has identified seven main styles with a suggestion of the rationale and influences of those styles

Chapter 1 Introduction to Temple and Royalty

How and when did the Hindu temple come to be associated with dynasties, rulers and political processes? The chapter traces the beginning of scholarship on the Hindu temple in the late 19th century and its subsequent ‘discovery’, nomenclature and listing by colonial archaeologists. In their attempt to construct a political history of India based on texts and inscriptions, scholars used temples as tangible symbols to mark the extent of empires and the political achievement of rulers. The colonial discourse on temples thus set the tone for subsequent scholarship and defined the parameters to study the Hindu temple, such that, even in the present-day scholars continue to underscore the relationship between temples, political legitimization and state formation. The current art historical scholarship continues to engage with the aesthetics and the architecture of the temple thus emphasizing the origins and construction of temples. Finally, the chapter explores new paradigms to study temple inscriptions and sculptures to establish their relationship with the communities which use the temple space

A Review on Influences of Pre Islamic Architecture on Islamic Architecture in Early Centuries

A cursory glance at presented definitions about architectural design proves that scholars have mentioned varied definitions. According to historical documents such as books, itineraries, illustrations and inscriptions they can be divided into two major groups. Firstly, architectural designs were introduced as an artistic field and the designer was an artist. Apparently, buildings which are included in first group have diverse decorations or some unique shapes. Additionally, they are not specifically for human, and they could be considered as monuments, tombs and mausoleums. As a result, people had a connection with building indirectly. On the other hand, the second group consists of the buildings which are used as homes, mosques, schools (Madrasah), Sera (karvansara) and market (bazzar). Obviously, builders and architects accurately respected topography and structure and preference was given to technique rather than beauty. The aim of this article is to gather different definitions and argue which one was the dominant theme in early Islamic architecture in Iran

A Review on Influences of Pre Islamic Architecture on Islamic Architecture in Early Centuries

A cursory glance at presented definitions about architectural design proves that scholars have mentioned varied definitions. According to historical documents such as books, itineraries, illustrations and inscriptions they can be divided into two major groups. Firstly, architectural designs were introduced as an artistic field and the designer was an artist. Apparently, buildings which are included in first group have diverse decorations or some unique shapes. Additionally, they are not specifically for human, and they could be considered as monuments, tombs and mausoleums. As a result, people had a connection with building indirectly. On the other hand, the second group consists of the buildings which are used as homes, mosques, schools (Madrasah), Sera (karvansara) and market (bazzar). Obviously, builders and architects accurately respected topography and structure and preference was given to technique rather than beauty. The aim of this article is to gather different definitions and argue which one was the dominant theme in early Islamic architecture in Iran

Urban heritage conservation and rapid urbanization : insights from Surat, India

Currently, heritage is challenged in the Indian city of Surat due to diverse pressures,  including rapid urbanization, increasing housing demand, and socio‐cultural and climate changes.  Where rapid demographic growth of urban areas is happening, heritage is disappearing at an  alarming rate. Despite some efforts from the local government, urban cultural heritage is being  neglected and historic buildings keep being replaced by ordinary concrete buildings at a worryingly  rapid pace. Discussions of challenges and issues of Surat’s urban area is supported by a qualitative  dataset, including in‐depth semi‐structured interviews and focus groups with local policy makers,  planners, and heritage experts, triangulated by observation and a photo‐survey of two historic  areas. Findings from this study reveal a myriad of challenges such as: inadequacy of urban  conservation management policies and processes focused on heritage, absence of skills, training,  and resources amongst decision makers and persistent conflict and competition between heritage  conservation needs and developers’ interests. Furthermore, the values and significance of Surat’s  tangible and intangible heritage is not fully recognized by its citizens and heritage stakeholders. A  crucial opportunity exists for Surat to maximize the potential of heritage and reinforce urban  identity for its present and future generations. Surat’s context is representative of general trends  and conservation challenges and therefore recommendations developed in this study hold the  potential to offer interesting insights to the wider planners and conservationists’ international  community.  This  paper  recommends  thoughtful  integration  of  sustainable  heritage  urban  conservation into local urban development frameworks and the establishment of approaches that  recognize the plurality of heritage values

Knowledge-based Virtual Reconstruction of Museum Artifacts

Within the framework of heritage preservation, 3D scanning and modeling for heritage documentation has increased significantly in recent years, mainly due to the evolution of laser and image-based techniques, modeling software, powerful computers and virtual reality. 3D laser acquisition constitutes a real development opportunity for 3D modeling based previously on theoretical data. The representation of the object information rely on the knowledge of its historic and theoretical frame to reconstitute a posteriori its previous states. This project proposes an approach dealing with data extraction based on architectural knowledge and Laser statement informing measurements, the whole leading to 3D reconstruction. The experimented Khmer objects are exposed at Guimet museum in Paris. The purpose of this digital modeling meets the need of exploitable models for simulation projects, prototyping, exhibitions, promoting cultural tourism and particularly for archiving against any likely disaster and as an aided tool for the formulation of virtual museum concept

An overview on the typology of shophouses’ façade at the heritage area in Ipoh City / Wan Nordiana Wan Ali, Nurul Huda Abdul Hadi and Noor Rizallinda Ishak

Ipoh is the capital of Perak and is located in the Northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Ipoh was well- known for being the largest tin producing region in the world during the early 1900s. The tin-mining activity led the Chinese from Mainland China to migrate to this region. The presence of this community, which has a close relationship with the British, influenced the trading activity and the architectural development of Ipoh which is now referred to as the heritage area of Ipoh. The heritage area of Ipoh City consists of the core zone and buffer zone and has been gazetted on the 18th of December 2014 due to provision of Town and Country Planning Act (Act 172). The architectural asset of the heritage area of Ipoh is the uniqueness of shophouses that reflects the variety of colonial styles and the glory of the tin mining industry during that era. Therefore, this research is carried out to identify the typology of the building façade at the heritage area of Ipoh City. A pilot survey had been conducted to collect the primary data and supported by reports, government publications, textbooks, journals, interview sessions and others. The finding shows that there are six architectural styles of heritage building façade that were categorized by referring to the characteristics and elements identified. As a conclusion, this research may create awareness among the public and relevant parties on the significance of preserving the heritage building for future generation