FES AND MEKNES MOROCCO

Site: Fes and Meknes, Morocco

Assignment: THEMES IN ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

You will be asked to sketch at a range of sites and locations in Fez and the Middle Atlas. Please examine the following ideas drawing connections and conclusion between the various sites and subjects. In addition you should investigate the rituals and practices of Islamic culture and the Muslim religion and how they are manifested in the architecture and built environment.

Inside/Outside and the mediation between
Sacred/Profane
Centers/Edges
Direction/Orientation
Veil/ Reveal

Please consider the following architectural elements and how they might support or articulate the above concepts.

Threshold
Gate
Screen
Porch
Fabric
Skin
Contrast
Layers
Light
Shadow


Your investigation should be lucid and focused. Please establish a consistent framework and visual and written language in which to analyze and communicate your findings.

Readings:
Hakim, Besim S. Arabic Islamic Cities. Kegan Paul International Limited: London, England. 1988 (Chapter 2)
Kazimee, Bashir and Rahmani, Ayad. Place, Meaning and Form in the architecture and Urban Structure of
Eastern Islamic Cities. Edwin Mellen Press: Lewiston. (Chapters 1-3)