Rahmani, Ayad B.

Ayad B. Rahmani is an Associate Professor of architecture at Washington State University, where he teaches design and theory. He is a critic of architecture and culture; his work is widely published in the Northwest and in particular Spokane, WA, where he used to live and work. He holds degrees from The Ohio State University and Washing University in St. Louis.

Place, Meaning, and Form in the Architecture and Urban Structure of Eastern Islamic Cities
2003 0-7734-6669-X
This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the unique meaning of Place (“Makan”) in the traditional context of the Eastern Islamic region, focusing mostly on the area defined by Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. The book often replaces the term cities (as referring to oversized bureaucratic apparatus) with such terms as places and dwellings – meaning developed settlements that have retained a strong trace of social coherence and physical unity, which are the true focus. The study examines the way in which making and thinking, object and subject, are inextricably linked in Islamic places and reflect Man’s inner search for truth, and the role that place plays in helping the Muslim stay true to his faith and lead a life of meaning and spirituality. With illustrations.

Price: $199.95