Silent Architecture

A place where we meet ‘us’

School of Traditional Arts

Contents:

Introduction.........................................................................................................3

Motivation............................................................................................................3

Problem statement..............................................................................................3
Aims and Objectives..........................................................................................3

Significance..........................................................................................................3

Project Statement................................................................................................4

Scope of the Project............................................................................................4

Case Studies.........................................................................................................4

Books ...................................................................................................................4
 School of Traditional Arts
A place where we meet ‘us’
Introduction:

Khanqah ( ‫خانقاه‬ ), also known as a ribat (‫رباط‬ ) was a building designed specifically for
gatherings of a Sufi brotherhood, or tariqa, and is a place for spiritual retreat and character
reformation. In the past, and to a lesser extent nowadays, they often served as hospices for
Sufi travellers and Islamic students.

Sufis opted Artistic means of Expression. Poetry, Calligraphy, Dance, Music and the sacred
principles of Sufism took ‘material form’ in the form of Architecture. Today’s modern
world is continuously struggling find inner peace and finds refuge in Arts.

Motivation:
Islamic traditional arts have been under the study of Western Scholars and seen as spiritual
in its nature. Most came to conclusion that ‘Islamic Traditional Arts embody metaphysical
principles in visual and auditory forms.’ As an Architecture student I started visualizing the
spaces that will best suitable for producing Traditional Arts in today’s world.

“I know you're tired but come, this is the way.”

Jalalu'l-din Rumi

Problem Statement:
Due to Rapid digitalisation and mechanical life, we are at verge of losing our connection with
Traditional Arts. The need is to revive the Traditional Arts and its spiritual relation to ‘us’.

Aims and Objectives:

 School as a Museum.
 To promote Traditional knowledge and Intellectual thoughts in the form of Arts.
 A place for spiritual retreat and character reformation.
 To create a peaceful social space for discussions other than worldly affairs.
 Design through Light and Silence, the divine aspects of nature, the serene
environment.

Significance:
Significance of the project lies in the fact that Traditional arts manifests itself in the Form of
Silence that can be felt through Material Form and impacts one’s emotions. Silence is the
protagonist, aided by Light, interacts with one’s senses and creates sensory experiences.
Project Statement:
“Silence in Architecture means desire to ‘be’ and Arts is also the way to ‘express’.
By merging the two, A Building should itself convey its essence.”

Scope of the Project:

 Master Plan
 Detailed planning of School
 Landscaping
 Library + Mosque

Case Studies:
Project Based:

Faustat Traditional Crafts Centre, Egypt

Research Based:

Bangladesh National Assembly, Bangladesh

Phillips Exeter Academy Library, New Hampshire

Books:
Islamic Art and Spirituality by Seyyed Hossein Nasr