These type of "ugly" and "generic" architecture îs found in a lot of southern countries, and not only the Muslim ones. The Karachi buildings in the photo you choose could as well be found in Spain, Italy or Greece.
In a different "ugly" style, I can also cite my hometown of Caen (France). The town was almost completely destroyed by Allies bombing on D-Day, and in the following years, was rebuilt as fast as possible with no consideration for esthetics, only "craming as much people as possible in the smallest possible space". And it is only when I left for another town, and later came back for holidays, that I realize the ugliness I had had in front of my own eyes for all my life.
I love Muslim architecture, and I hope to visit Samarkand one day 🙂.
I really feel the sentiments expressed in this piece of yours, having experienced some of the disconnect in my previous travels. However, there are also, surprisingly, a fair amount of places in areas which haven’t perhaps seen much of the vast wealth that came with oil money, that still reflect traditional architecture or more recent architecture that honours the symbolism and intellect embedded in the traditional. I don’t know if this will last, but I have my hopes that there are those who respect the depth of the past in their contemporary renditions. And there are also, of course modern monstrosities such as the massive eyesore and offensive architecture (if you can call it architecture) of the clock tower buildings that now deface the landscape of Mecca - but that’s another story.
Very interesting and captivating piece. Thank you for enlightenment.
You are right about the past architecture but the issue is fastness of this time. From past few decades we just want to create structures without focusing on meaning and mindfulness to it. And it's a rat race not only in terms of infrastructure but over all humanity is rat racing. It's sad. Might be in coming to times we return to the basics and our ancestral routes. Hoping
These type of "ugly" and "generic" architecture îs found in a lot of southern countries, and not only the Muslim ones. The Karachi buildings in the photo you choose could as well be found in Spain, Italy or Greece.
In a different "ugly" style, I can also cite my hometown of Caen (France). The town was almost completely destroyed by Allies bombing on D-Day, and in the following years, was rebuilt as fast as possible with no consideration for esthetics, only "craming as much people as possible in the smallest possible space". And it is only when I left for another town, and later came back for holidays, that I realize the ugliness I had had in front of my own eyes for all my life.
I love Muslim architecture, and I hope to visit Samarkand one day 🙂.
I completely agree with your point about such architecture being found across the modern world.
However, this piece was targeted towards a Muslim audience, hence the Muslim-centric tone.
Nonetheless, I really appreciate your input and wish you all the best!
I really feel the sentiments expressed in this piece of yours, having experienced some of the disconnect in my previous travels. However, there are also, surprisingly, a fair amount of places in areas which haven’t perhaps seen much of the vast wealth that came with oil money, that still reflect traditional architecture or more recent architecture that honours the symbolism and intellect embedded in the traditional. I don’t know if this will last, but I have my hopes that there are those who respect the depth of the past in their contemporary renditions. And there are also, of course modern monstrosities such as the massive eyesore and offensive architecture (if you can call it architecture) of the clock tower buildings that now deface the landscape of Mecca - but that’s another story.
Very interesting and captivating piece. Thank you for enlightenment.
You are right about the past architecture but the issue is fastness of this time. From past few decades we just want to create structures without focusing on meaning and mindfulness to it. And it's a rat race not only in terms of infrastructure but over all humanity is rat racing. It's sad. Might be in coming to times we return to the basics and our ancestral routes. Hoping