De nos jours, l'utilisation accrue de combustibles à base de fossiles et l'électricité met en péril l'environnement naturel à cause des niveaux élevés de pollution. Il est donc plausible de prévoir des économies d'énergie significatives grâce à la climatisation dite «naturelle»». En accord avec les objectifs acceptés à l'échelle internationale d'une architecture «verte» et durable, l'utilisation de cours intérieures associées aux capteurs de vent, aux murs-Trombe et à d'autres systèmes de climatisation naturelle (aussi bien traditionnels que nouveaux), paraît prometteuse. Ce mémoire propose une analyse de nouvelles approches à la climatisation naturelle et à la production d'air frais avec une consommation minimale d'énergie, eu égard aux traditions et aux tendances, en particulier dans les zones climatiques chaudes et sèches comme l'Iran. Dans ce contexte, regarder l'architecture de l'Islam et la discipline du Qur'an paraissent offrir un guide pour comprendre l'approche musulmane aux processus de décision en design. Nous regardons donc les traditions et les tendances en ce qui concerne la climatisation naturelle à travers l'élément le plus important du contexte islamique, à savoir le Qur'an. C'est pourquoi, à l'intérieur du thème de la tradition, nous avons pris en compte quelques considérations concernant l'influence de l'Islam, et en particulier le respect de la nature associé à un équilibre entre l'harmonie et l'individualité. Ce sont autant de facteurs qui influencent la prise de décisions visant à résoudre des problèmes scientifiques majeurs selon la philosophie et les méthodes islamiques ; ils nous permettent de faire quelques recommandations. La description des principes sous-jacents aux capteurs à vent et des antécédents trouvés dans la nature tels que les colonies de termites, est présentée également. Sous la rubrique tendances, nous avons introduit l'utilisation de matériaux et de principes de design nouveaux. Regarder simultanément ces matériaux nouveaux et l'analogie des colonies de termites suggère de bonnes approches à la conception d'abris pour les victimes de tremblements de terre dans les régions sisimques. Bam, une ville iranienne, peut être considérée comme un exemple spécifique illustrant où les principes exposés dans ce mémoire peuvent s'appliquer le plus adéquatement. / Nowadays due to the increased use of fossil fuels and electricity, the natural environment is in danger because of high levels of pollution. Hence by creating natural air conditioning, we may save a significant amount of energy. In line with the global objective of sustainable and green architecture, the use of patios to save energy and natural ventilation coupled with wind- catchers, Trombe walls and other natural air conditioning systems (both traditional and emerging architectural elements) seems pertinent. This thesis analyzes designs to produce natural air conditioning and cooler air with the minimum amount of energy, with regard to the tradition and the trends, especially in hot and dry climate regions like Iran. In this context, looking to Islamic Architecture and the Qur’anic discipline of thought are considered as a guide to the way Muslims approach the design-decision making process. We therefore look to the traditions and the trends of natural air conditioning through the most important element of the Islamic context (the Qur’an). So, within the theme of "tradition", we have introduced some thinking about the influence of Islam and particularly the respect of nature while providing for a balance between harmony and individuality, such as proposing one special kind of decision-making process to solve the main scientific problems according to the Islamic philosophy and the accompanying methods, suggesting some recommendations. Descriptions of (a) the principles of wind-catchers and (b) antecedents in nature such as the termite hills are pursued as well. Under "trends", we have introduced the use of novel materials and novel design principles. Looking at the new materials and simultaneously at the analogy of the termite mounds suggests one good sample of design of a shelter for people in earthquake-prone regions. Bam, an Iranian city, can be considered to be a specific context in which the general considerations expressed in this thesis can be most usefully applied.

The richness of my culture is deeply rooted in its history. Its forms change and develop according to the needs of time and place...but its essence is always the same. Its spaces are all defined and limited by boundaries that hold society together and allow development within sets of rules which maintain the general character and the cultural framework of the environment. / Master of Architecture

This thesis describes an approach to the planning and design of a Kuwaiti community that fosters a return to the value system established by past generations but being neglected in current planning and design concepts. This design approach focuses the specific environmental factors that exist in Kuwait, as well as being concerned with the values of the community. Islamic teachings are built on the concept of unity in creation and purpose. All creatures are created by One and are linked in worshiping the Creator. In the design, all the housing units in the community and the souq develop from the principles of geometry and are linked by unity of purpose. Contemporary architecture and urban structures in Kuwait should not only rely on local physical materials, but also express the valuable principles of Islamic culture. Islam considers each community to be one family, the relationship Islamic community's between architectural individuals. / Master of Architecture

The khanka or monastic mosque, was first established in Cairo by Saladin, founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, in 1171. Prior to this time, residents of the khanka, better known as Sufis - the ascetics of Islam were a group of mobile mystics who travelled widely seeking knowledge and truth of divinity and creation. It was during the Mamluk period (1250-1517) however, that the khanka gained popularity. It was normally constructed as part of a larger complex which housed other pious functions. It became commonplace among Mamluk sultans to attach their mausoleums to these khanka complexes, thus giving the khanka ultimate social and religious significance.Due to this significance, khankas, were among the first building types to face destruction upon the downfall of Mamluk rule. Unfortunatley, the deterioration of the khanka, institution has continued to this present day. In fact the khanka, institution and its architecture are slowly disappearing.In an effort to help preserve the vanishing architecture of the khanka institution, the khanka, of Sultan Al-Ashraf Barsbay, one of great architectural significance, was selected for the topic of this thesis. A reconstruction and restoration proposal is presented following complete historical, social and arcitectural research and documentaion. This proposal is based on a research methodology established for application to this and other historical buildings which may be approached for documentation and analysis.The reconstruction of the missing portions of the complex is important for the preservation of an almost extinct building type. The Khanka of Al-Ashraf Barsbay presents an interesting challenge in several repects: understanding the elements of Mamluk architecture as a distinct building style, identifying elements of islamic architecture, and finally applying this knowledge of architecture to the process of reconstruction within the framework of national and international preservation standards. / Department of Architecture

This study explores how the use of complex decorative geometric patterns in Islamic architecture spatially relates to advances in the fields of science and philosophy in the Islamic world between the ninth and fourteenth centuries. This project examines hypotheses developed by vario~s scholars on the forces that shaped the use of these patterns (known as the geometric mode) in Islamic architecture. The prevailing assumption that advances in mathematics contributed to the use of the geometric mode is used as a starting point for subsequent analysis. For this study, two spatial databases were created. One contains over two hundred and twenty monuments of Islamic architecture exhibiting the geometric mode, while the other contains over one hundred records of activity in the sciences and philosophy. From these databases, decorative geometric pattern types were classified and ranked, and scholarly activities were classified. Density maps were developed from these classes and ranks for each century, and were compared in a series of analytical overlay maps. Each map depicts the spatial relationships of the activities in question over a span of three centuries, enabling a spatio-temporal analysis of the connections between disciplines within the context of the broader cultural elements at work. These maps allow for examination of these disciplines in a new way; there has never been a spatial analysis testing the existing hypotheses until now. The density overlay maps show that some of the prevailing hypotheses are partially supported by the data, but the primary hypothesized relationship-that activity in mathematics prompted use of the geometric mode-is not applicable to all regions of the Islamic world during this time period. The spatial analysis exposes the previously overlooked possibility that the geometric mode could have influenced activity in the sciences and philosophy. This study provides tools to better understand the complex relationships among art, science, and philosophy: two spatial databases, a geographic information systems (GIS) model, and resulting analytical overlay maps. The maps produced in this project reveal examples where the quality of contact among disciplines in these very specific times and places is worth examining in greater detail.

The Caveat For many reasons, names have had to be concealed within this document. The events depicted are real and the discussions true. This is an attempt to legitimize the informal, seemingly mundane and sometimes personal: the author’s experiences bringing a folly to the physical, while trespassing into a new world: Islam. This thesis documents a series of interventions at different scales within that world. There is a book, the chair, and the city of Makkah. The events themselves are superimposed onto the traditional language, or professional conventions, used to justify them. Here, they are relegated to the margins of each page. This is akin to how some of the first books were produced, by students in the confines of dark cloisters or hot desert temples, struggling to maintain historical integrity while fighting the natural tendencies of youth. Their master’s voices always looking over the gutter from the opposite page. The sketches for a new Makkah and a monumental demonstration in Canada unfold in parallel to a body of formal research. Together, as seemingly independently as they are, they paint the portrait of an Islam, while building a personality between the lines. That being said: there isn’t a correct way to read it.

The Caveat For many reasons, names have had to be concealed within this document. The events depicted are real and the discussions true. This is an attempt to legitimize the informal, seemingly mundane and sometimes personal: the author’s experiences bringing a folly to the physical, while trespassing into a new world: Islam. This thesis documents a series of interventions at different scales within that world. There is a book, the chair, and the city of Makkah. The events themselves are superimposed onto the traditional language, or professional conventions, used to justify them. Here, they are relegated to the margins of each page. This is akin to how some of the first books were produced, by students in the confines of dark cloisters or hot desert temples, struggling to maintain historical integrity while fighting the natural tendencies of youth. Their master’s voices always looking over the gutter from the opposite page. The sketches for a new Makkah and a monumental demonstration in Canada unfold in parallel to a body of formal research. Together, as seemingly independently as they are, they paint the portrait of an Islam, while building a personality between the lines. That being said: there isn’t a correct way to read it.