Tradition vs. modernity in Islamic architecture : the case of Jeddah

Spahic, Omer (2022) Tradition vs. modernity in Islamic architecture : the case of Jeddah. Dar Al Wahi Publication, Kuala Kumpur, Malaysia. ISBN 978-967-0729-47-3

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Abstract

This book addresses the subject of the relationship between tradition and modernity in Islamic architecture, using historic Jeddah as a case study. The book aims to clarify the meaning of tradition and modernity from an Islamic perspective, and where the two converge as well as separate especially in the realm of architecture. Intended to be, above all, informative, motivating and thought-provoking, the book provides more questions than answers. That was deliberate, though, because when there are questions emphatically asked, the next thing that is bound to happen is to start as emphatically to seek answers. And that is the beginning of a process that inevitably leads to sensible conclusions and solutions. Besides, the theme at hand is so complex and so multi-tiered that it requires more than scattered individual efforts. Heaps of human and material resources, and lots of collective efforts, spanning more than a generation, are needed to be invested. The book is divided into five chapters. The first chapter discusses the two-sidedness of modernity and its relationship with tradition. It likewise delves into the issues of the relationship between modernity and architecture in general, and the position of the Islamic worldview and values towards modernity and its own worldview and values. The second chapter explains the meaning and significance of Islamic architecture both as a concept and physical reality, laying emphasis on the profundity and dynamism of its conceptual, utilitarian and artistic dimensions. The chapter deals with the questions of conceptualizing Islamic architecture and its genesis, the role of Islamic spirituality in Islamic architecture, and the place of the tradition-versus-modernity dialectics in its domain. The third chapter describes the main aspects of the uniqueness of historic Jeddah. The focus is on the city’s rich history, cosmopolitan character, status as the gateway to the holy city of Makkah, and on architecture. The fourth chapter discusses the theme of traditional Jeddah housing and the lack of its continuity. The chapter’s discussion is five-pronged. It firstly presents a general overview of the context of traditional Jeddah housing. That is followed by the main characteristics of the form and function of traditional Jeddah houses, highlighting how efficient, eye-catching, sustainable, environmental, and Islamic values-compliant they were. Because of their complexity and extraordinary importance, the questions of windows and balconies, and how cleverly they have been dealt with, resulting in the pervasive presence of the rawashin phenomenon (projecting latticed windows and balconies with intricate woodworks) - have been separately discussed. The chapter then addresses the chief reasons for neglecting and abandoning the traditional houses of Jeddah in favour of some unfamiliar modern solutions. Finally, the chapter reconciles the snags that inevitably come to the fore whenever all these subjects are discussed side by side. The fifth chapter analyses the topic of mosque architecture in historic Jeddah – and somewhat beyond – acknowledging its place and importance within and beyond the realms of tradition and creative innovation. At first, the place of mosques in the morphology of the city is explained, followed by their typology. The mosques are divided into four broad categories: original traditional mosques, homogenous neo-traditional mosques, heterogeneous neo-traditional mosques, and modern mosques. Several mosques from each category are discussed as specimens, covering thus most of the notable mosques. On the whole, twenty mosques are discussed.

Item Type:	Book
Additional Information:	fpBPN113S33O44C2022
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Jeddah, Islamic architecture, tradition, modernity, housing
Subjects:	BPN Islamic art and architecture
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of History & Civilization
Depositing User:	Omer Spahic
Date Deposited:	13 Sep 2022 15:30
Last Modified:	24 Mar 2023 10:52
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/99970

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