documentation for k.a. nizami centre for islamic stiduies at amu

7/30/2019 Documentation for K.a. Nizami Centre for Islamic Stiduies at AMU

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Professor K. A. Nizami Centre for Quranic Studies

Aligarh Muslim University

ArchitectProfessor Abdel Wahed El Wakil


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Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is

the dead faith of the living.-

-Architect (Prof.) Abdel Wahed El Wakil

A Visual Documentation

ncludes Photographs, Introduction, Captions & Conversations with Prof. A

A. Nizami


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he K. A. Nizami Centre for Quranic Studies at Aligarh Muslim University

signed by an EgyptianArchitect and Professor Abdel Wahed El Wakil. Among unding members and trustees is Professor Ahtisham Ahmad Nizami S/o K. zami, he is also the present director of the Centre.

he Centre was inaugurated in September 2012 and is successfully runninven courses including Calligraphy and graphic design.

ILDING FAADE & ENTRANCE


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never witnessed any architect evolve design as Prof. Wakil did...Over a meetibrought many tracing sheets and a bunch of pens and he started to draw; like

ploring child he drew, transferring his thoughts on sheets after sheets.membered Prof Nizami. "After a while he said to us, its done Mr. Nizami you'll

CD with required plans/drawings...and we did..." appreciated Prof. Nizami. Hmmended Architect Wakil for providing them with detailed walk-through of tilding too along with its drawings.

RRIDOR WITH CLASSROOMS


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he building is made in brick, a tradition endorsed by Architect Wakil in hany works. Prof. Nizami remembered how Prof Wakil defended and promoted te of Brick construction over Reinforced Concrete in a lecture held at Aligauslim University during his visit to India. Prof. Nizami recalls the gist of Proail's lectureBesides costing equal to RCC, its more structurally sounvironmentally friendlier and more appealing traditionally as well than in RCC.

7.5 inchesthick load bearing walls; Jali and window are separated by gaps thaaintain comfortable temperatures inside.

URTYARD WITH CONFERENCE, CLASSROOMS & STAFF ROOMS AROUND


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Let me take you to a very beautiful mosque within th

University" said a local friend of mine (student at Aligarh). Both of us likedry much because of its traditional appearances. Perchance, it was the same buildinsigned by the Architect (Prof.) A. W. Wakil, for which I planned my visit to Aligar

OSQUE -EXTERIOR

rick Lined walls makes a sympathetic gesture to the surroundings whkeeping its self-appeal too.


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he wall punctures are perfectly synonymous to Islamic Architecture; Jaliorks and motifs evokes Islamic decorum found in buildings of the past.

Combination and Compositionof Arches and windows impart aditional association (Moorish character) to the building.

OSQUE -COURTYARD

Courtyardshave been an effective interface between human and nature sincees, esp. for climatic reasons.


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randeur of the mosque is felt by its high risingload-bearing arches &ighty plastered columns. Full span doors keeps the Masjid naturally illuminated.

OSQUE -INTERIOR


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arrating the history of its construction Prof. A. A. Nizami talked about t

Mosque's Dome. "Its a double dome, you know? You a maulana(an expeArchitecture, you must be knowing what is a double dome and what are

nctions" he asked us as an educator. To our answers he said "Yes you're right rves an aesthetic purpose (to maintain visual proportions) from the interior as well om the exterior. But to my experience, it also adds to the acoustics of the mosque

OSQUE BRICK DOME INTERIOR


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e continued to narrate an interesting episode of construction of the dom

What to fill in-betweenthe two domes was the question, asked by thntractor? I consulted University architects and engineers...all gave unsatisfactoggestions...later we took this problem to Prof. Wakil...He strictly discounted tea to fill anything in-between the two domes except to leave it hollow...it is se

pporting and it shall remain hollow...asserted Prof. Wakil...".

OSQUE LOADBEARING BRICK ARCHES


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the end I feel obliged and thankful to Prof. Wakil for informing me about his woIndia, that I had an opportunity to visit it. I am also thankful to Prof. A. A. Nizam

or providing valuable insights, sharing his experiences and discussing developmentstages of the building in detail. Last but not the least, I would like to extend my

hanks to my friend Mohd. Atif who accompanied me and made arrangements forphotography.

Courtesy: Feroz A. Faruqi

B. Arch, M. Ekistics

Jamia Millia IslamiaNew Delhi

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