Department of Estate Managemenat and Valuation, University of Sri Jayewrdenepura
Abstract
Islamic buildings have their unique Islamic architectural style that distinguishes its identity. These buildings show habits, traditions, and Islamic ideology. Buildings have been affected by Western art because of technological development in different parts of culture, economic, arts, and sciences. Thus, they have not any cultural identity. Islamic ornament is full of aesthetic andartistic values. It has different designs can be used whether inside or outside buildings. The study aims to investigate why designers do not use this art in contemporary buildings. The study concludes that the causes, contributed to the decline to use ornament in buildings, are lack of knowledge of this art, high financial cost, and people want modern designs. The study suggestssolutions to enhance the cultural identity as follows: teaching this art in schools and universities, awareness and educational campaigns, and reformulation of this art with a modern vision
