Architectural Excellence in Islamic Societies
Distinction through the Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Ashraf M Salama author Marwa M El-Ashmouni author
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published:16th Jul '20
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£37.99(9780367519582)
This book discusses architectural excellence in Islamic societies drawing on textual and visual materials, from the Aga Khan Documentation Center at MIT, developed over more than three decades. At the core of the discussion are the efforts, processes, and outcomes of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA).
The AKAA recognises excellence in architectural and urban interventions within cities and settlements in the Islamic world which are continuously challenged by dramatic changes in economies, societies, political systems, decision-making, and environmental requirements. Architectural Excellence in Islamic Societies responds to the recurring question about the need for architectural awards, arguing that they are critical to validating the achievements of professional architects while making their contributions more widely acknowledged by the public. Through analysis and critique of over sixty awarded and shortlisted projects from over thirty-five countries, this book provides an expansive look at the history of the AKAA through a series of narratives on the enduring values of architecture, architectural and urban conservation, built environment sustainability, and architectural pluralism and multiple modernities.
Architectural Excellence in Islamic Societies will appeal to professionals and academics, researchers, and upper-level students in architectural history and theory and built environment related fields.
Architectural Excellence in Islamic Societies is a serious contribution to the contemporary architectural discourse. Salama and El-Ashmouni construct important narratives that characterise architecture and urbanism and depict features of excellence through a selection of projects recognized by the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA). Brining our attention to the conditions within which the built environment is produced and debated in this particular context of the Islamic World, this book is a critical reading for academics and professionals both in the global north and global south.
Professor Attilio Petruccioli, Doctoral School - DrACO Architettura e Costruzione, University of Rome, La Sapienza, Italy
This book provides an outstanding narrative of contemporary architecture in the Islamic world, studying projects and architects selected for the Aga Khan Award over the last four decades. The authors spotlight hidden gems of contemporary architecture in this region, as well as the grassroot efforts to create good design for local communities. This volume brings us hope for a better future as it highlights collective work across the Islamic world to utilize architecture, from macro to micro scale, as a tool to mobilize communities and to elevate people's lives and experiences. It richly illustrates the extraordinary role that the Aga Khan Award has played in promoting human-centric environments.
Professor Mohammad Gharipour, Morgan State University, USA; and Founding Editor of the International Journal of Islamic Architecture
ISBN: 9781138482555
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 589g
256 pages