The Palm Jumeirah DUBIA

The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island created using land reclamation by Nakheel, a company owned by the Dubai government. It is one of three islands called The Palm Islands which will increase Dubai’s shoreline by a total of 520 km. The Palm Jumeirah is the smallest and the original of three Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira) under development by Nakheel. It is located on the Jumeirah coastal area of the emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Description:

The Palm Jumeirah is in the shape of a palm tree. It consists of a trunk, a crown with 17 fronds, and a surrounding crescent island that forms an 11 kilometre-long breakwater. The island is 5 kilometres by 5 kilometres and its total area is larger than 800 football pitches[1]. The crown is connected to the mainland by a 300-metre bridge and the crescent is connected to the top of the palm by a subsea tunnel. Over the next few years, as the tourism phases develop, The Palm Jumeirah is touted as soon to be one of the world’s premier resorts. The Palm Island is the self-declared 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. The island will double the length of the Dubai coastline[citation needed].

According to the developer's publicity material, the Jumeirah Palm island will feature themed boutique hotels, three types of villas (Signature Villas, Garden Homes and Canal Cove Town Homes), shoreline apartment buildings, beaches, marinas, restaurants, cafés and a variety of retail outlets. Over 30 beachfront hotels will be opened by the end of 2009, including:

Oceana Resort & Spa on 1 May 2007The Trump International Hotel & Tower

Atlantis, The Palm

The Taj Exotica Hotel & Resort

Grandeur Residences

Tiara Residence

Oceana Resort & Spa

The Fairmont Palm Residence

The Fairmont Palm Hotel & Resort

The Dubai Estates Hotel & Park

Hotel Missoni Dubai

Radisson SAS Hotel Dubai, The Palm Jumeirah

Kempinski Emerald Palace

Kempinski Emerald Palace Residences

Palm Jumeirah MonorailTwo Sabre F100 fighter jets have been stripped and sunk near The Palm Jumeirah to create an artificial reef, intended to encourage marine life.

A 5.4 km (3.35 mile) monorail is being built on the island which will be able to transport 2,000-3,000 people on and off the island every hour. It is expected to open in late 2008.

On 18 June 2007, the Cunard Line announced that it had sold its former flagship, RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, to Istithmar for use as a floating hotel at The Palm Jumeirah beginning in 2009.

Construction:

Construction began on the Palm Jumeirah island in June 2001 and the developers announced handover of the first residential units in 2006[1]. The island has been created using 94 million cubic metres of sand and 7 million tons of rock. The Palm Jumeirah was created by pouring sand fill onto the 10.5 metre-deep seabed using dredgers. Above sea level, 3 metres of the reclamation were achieved by a dredging technique known as "rainbowing," in which the sand fill was sprayed over the surface of the rising island. Calcareous sand was used for the reclamation. The island includes a curved breakwater using natural rock, intended to encourage the creation of a natural reef and provide habitats for sea life. The land form was reclaimed by the Dutch company Van Oord, who are world experts in land reclamation. Total cost reached US$12.3 billion and maintaining the island is a costly expenditure[citation needed]. Approximately 40,000 workers, mostly from South Asia, have been involved in the construction of the island[citation needed].

In early October 2007, the Palm Jumeirah had already become the world's largest man-made island.[4] Also at this time, 75% of the properties were ready to hand over, with 500 families already residing on the island By the end of 2009, 28 hotels will be open on the Crescent.

Controversy:

The complexities of the construction have been blamed, in part, for the extended delays to the completion of the project, the date of which has been pushed back multiple times and is now nearly two years late. Further controversy was engendered when it was revealed that after launching the project, Nakheel increased the number of residential units on the island (with a concomitant reduction in the amount of physical space between individual properties) from the originally-announced 4500 (comprised of 2000 villas and 2500 apartments) to an estimated 8000 without recompense to those investors who had purchased early in the expectation of greater separation between properties.[6] This increase was attributed to Nakheel miscalculating the actual cost of construction and requiring the raising of additional capital, although, as with any issue related to the Palm that is not wholly positive in tone, Nakheel has never commented publicly on the matter.[citation needed]

Doubts have also been expressed about the quality of the construction and finishing of the properties on the island and the real ability of the infrastructure on both the Palm and the mainland to cope with the stresses of the sheer number of people leaving from and returning to the development every day once complete.

Furthermore, there are numerous concerns about the environmental impact of the Palm. As originally constructed, the breakwater was a continuous barrier, but it was realised that by preventing natural tidal movement, the seawater within the Palm was becoming stagnant. The problem was corrected by adding an additional gap in the barrier. As explained in the National Geographic Channel's documentary Impossible Islands, part of its MegaStructures series, the breakwater was subsequently modified to create gaps on either side, allowing tidal movement to oxygenate the water within and prevent it stagnating, albeit less efficiently than would be the case if the breakwater did not exist.

Burj Al Arab Tower of the Arabs DUBIA

The Burj Al Arab (Arabic: برج العرب, "Tower of the Arabs") is a luxury hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates managed by the Jumeirah Group and built by Said Khalil. It was designed by Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC. At 321 metres (1,053 ft), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel. However, the Rose Tower, also in Dubai, which has already topped Burj Al Arab's height, will take away this title upon its opening in April 2008. The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to mimic the billowing sail of a boat.

Construction:

Construction of Burj Al Arab began in 1994. It was built to resemble the sail of a dhow, a type of Arabian vessel. Two "wings" spread in a V to form a vast "mast", while the space between them is enclosed in a massive atrium. Architect Tom Wright said "The client wanted a building that would become an iconic or symbolic statement for Dubai; this is very similar to Sydney with its Opera House, or Paris with the Eiffel Tower. It needed to be a building that would become synonymous with the name of the country."

The architect and engineering consultant for the project was Atkins, the UK's largest multidisciplinary consultancy. The hotel was built by South African construction contractor Murray & Roberts.The hotel cost $650 million to build.

Features:

Several features of the hotel required complex engineering feats to achieve. The hotel rests on an artificial island constructed 280 meters offshore. To secure a foundation, the builders drove 230 40-meter long concrete piles into the sand. The foundation is held in place not by bedrock, but by the friction of the sand and silt along the length of the piles.

Engineers created a surface layer of large rocks, which is circled with a concrete honey-comb pattern, which serves to protect the foundation from erosion. It took three years to reclaim the land from the sea, but less than three years to construct the building itself. The building contains over 70,000 cubic meters of concrete and 9,000 tons of steel.

Inside the building, the atrium is 180 meters (590 ft) tall. During the construction phase, to lower the interior temperature, the building was cooled by half-degree increments over a period of three to six months. This was to prevent large amounts of "condensation or in fact even a rain cloud from forming in the hotel during the period of construction." This task was accomplished by several cold air nozzles, which point down from the top of the ceiling, and blast a 1 meter cold air pocket down the inside of the sail. This creates a buffer zone, which controls the interior temperature without massive energy costs.[citations needed]

Burj Al Arab characterizes itself as the world's only "7-star" property, a designation considered by travel professionals to be hyperbole. All major travel guides and hotel rating systems have a 5-star maximum, which some hotels attempt to out-do by ascribing themselves "6-star" status. Yet according to the Burj Al Arab's official site, the hotel is a "5-star deluxe hotel". It is the world's tallest structure with a membrane façade and the world's tallest hotel (not including buildings with mixed use) and was the first 5-star hotel to surpass 1,000 ft (305 m) in height. Although it is characterized as the world's only 7-Star Hotel, several "7 Star" hotels are under construction. These include the Flower of the East under construction in Kish, Iran, The Centaurus Complex under construction in Islamabad, Pakistan and a complex planned for Metro Manila in the Philippines.

Exterior:

The building design features a steel exoskeleton wrapped around a reinforced concrete tower. Notably the building is shaped like the sail of a dhow, with two "wings" spread in a V to form a vast "mast". The space between the wings is enclosed by a Teflon-coated fibreglass sail, curving across the front of the building and creating an atrium inside. The sail is made of a material called Dyneon, spanning over 161,000 square feet (15,000 m²), consists of two layers, and is divided into twelve panels and installed vertically. The fabric is coated with DuPont Teflon to protect it from harsh desert heat, wind, and dirt; as a result, "the fabricators estimate that it will hold up for up to 50 years."

During the day, the white fabric allows a soft, milky light inside the hotel, whereas a clear glass front would produce blinding amounts of glare and a constantly increasing temperature. At night, both inside and outside, the fabric is lit by color-changing lights. During the period of mourning following the death of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum in January 2006, the light show and some water features were turned off.

Near the top of the building is a suspended helipad supported by a cantilever. The helipad has featured some of the hotel's notable publicity events. Irish singer Ronan Keating shot his music video Iris on the helipad. In March 2004, professional golfer Tiger Woods hit several golf balls from the helipad into the Persian Gulf, while in February 2005, professional tennis players Roger Federer and Andre Agassi played an unranked game on the helipad, which was temporarily converted into a grass tennis court, at a height of 211 meters. The helipad has no borders or fences on the edges and if a player hit a winner the tennis balls would plunge down to the ground.

Interior:

The interior was designed by Khuan Chew, Design Principal of KCA International. Other projects by Khuan Chew include the Sultan of Brunei's Palace, Dubai International Airport, Jumeirah Beach Resort Development, Madinat Resort and much more.

The Burj Al Arab features the tallest atrium lobby in the world, at 180 meters (590 ft). The atrium is formed between the building's V-shaped span. The atrium dominates the interior of the hotel, and takes up over one-third of interior space. It can accommodate the Dubai World Trade Center building, which, at 38 stories, was the tallest building in Dubai from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s.

While the exterior of the Burj Al Arab is expressed in terms of ultra-modern sculptural design, the interior guest space is a compilation of lavish and luxurious architectural styles from both the east and the west. The hotel boasts 8,000 square meters of 22-carat gold leaf and 24,000 square meters of 30 different types of marble.

In the mezzanine lobby, a fountain creates a "three-dimensional Islamic star pattern." Pointed arches throughout, found in one of the hotel’s three restaurants, corridors between guest rooms, and at the top of the atrium recall a classic Arabian architectural design form.

ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE REVIEW

Architecture refers to the science of designing and constructing buildings to meet people's physical and moral needs. Appropriate construction materials are used in accordance with the desired designs.

It is undeniable that the first written civilization appeared in ancient Iraq where it interacted with the natural environment of Southern Iraq. The agriculture of that region utilized rivers and dams. To achieve stability and security, rulers carried out some strategic projects. For example, they dug channels, built temples and improved life conditions of their retinues. This led to the rise of city and architecture which developed from 2800 to 2400 BC.

The Greek Architecture dates back to 444 – 429 BC. It was influenced by the Pharaonic and Persian architecture which paved the way for the Roman Architecture (753 – 509 BC). It can be noticed that the Pharaoh architecture interacted with the prevalent architectures of that time. In fact, the Pharaohs were known for their architecture, city planning and temples.

Unlike other architectures, Islamic architecture originated in the Arabian Peninsula. It involves city planning along with its squares, streets, style of accommodation, economic and climatic conditions in addition to the social customs. According to this model, the mosque is usually situated in the city center and minarets are high enough to guide coming passengers.Then, the Islamic architectural revolution spread throughout the cities of the ancient world such as the Roman, Greek, Byzantine, Asian, North African and Central Asian cities due to the Islamic conquers. New cities such as Sammerqand, Bukhara, Istanbul, Qurtoba and Grenada were established. Later, they contributed to the expansion of Islamic architecture and civilization.

Islamic architecture came into contact with the Byzantine, Hellenic, Sassanid and Persian civilizations which were conquered by Muslims. Impressively, Islamic architecture is unified despite the long distances that separate the Arab states. This can be attributed to the unity of intellectual source in the Islamic civilization.

Islamic Architecture: Philosophy and Development:

Islamic architecture extended from the 7 to the 19 century. Muslims inte thath lligently communicated with other cultures by maintaining rather than erasing them. They steered those cultures to serve Islam and cope with the mainstream in the Islamic World. For example, statues and pictures were forbidden in the architecture of mosques, so Muslim engineers alternatively mastered columns, mosaic, foliage and engineering decorations.They also paid special attention to rchitectural and aesthetic designs which revolutionized Islamic architecture.Today, architecture is considered a reflection to civilization and an open book in which the history of a nation is recorded.Islamic architecture has innovated special ornamentations, colors and engineering units which can be adopted anywhere. The triangle, square and circle for instance are facts because they comply with mental concepts. A new concept of unity has merged in Islamic architecture. It calls for unity as a base for life cycle.

This was reflected on intellectual aspects, art and architecture.Unity in Islamic architecture is not only determined by the engineering frequency pivot, but also by the vacuum at a particular point such as the Kaaba or the fountain in the mosque nave. Here, the dynamic power unifies parts and maintains their sovereignty to incorporate with the whole.

The principle of unity in Islamic architecture is applicable on horizontal projections as well as on radialstar-shaped decorations and walls which surround the high gateway whose doors can be rectangular, pointedor circular.The charm of walls in Islamic architecture will be attained if aesthetic standards and sensible perceptions are met. Certain ornamental elements such as oriels, Muqarnasat (i.e. hive-shaped designs), sculptures and Arabic calligraphy which are inscribed on stones have contributed to the rise of a new architectural pattern.

Features of Mosque Architecture:

Islamic architecture heavily depends on engineering and aesthetic principles. We should make it clear that Islamic architecture had originated and then its features were inferred accordingly. However, the religious aspect is the most distinctive feature to which Islamic architecture is indebted. It is represented in the Islamic aesthetic mentality.Mosque has been the first house to be built on the basis of piety. Muslims congregate there under one dome yielding to and fearing of Allah. Consequently, architects have set a number of criteria that mosques should meet since the early age of Islam. These criteria include:

• communication among prayers
• having no columns in the mosque nave
• having no direct entrance into the nave
• having several openings for illumination.

Roman Architecture for instance influenced Islamic architecture particularly in the field of stone columns.This is a normal matter as it shows how dynamic and vital the architecture is. In fact, Islam urges its followers to communicate with other nations because static cultures will definitely die.As a direct result for Islamic conquers in the Abbasid and Umayyad ages, there was a dire need for building forts and castles in cities. After that, Islamic architecture began influencing other civilizations. For example, Arabesque which was initiated by Muslim architects became very popular in Europe and Asia as it was the case in Spain, Sammerqand and Bukhara where it interacted with the indigenous arts. In China,mosques were built in harmony with local house roofs, entrances and construction materials. Later, fundamental

features of mosque were introduced to other civilizations:

1. Much attention was paid to the minaret whose height reaches tens of meters and designs vary from circular to polygonal shapes. Some mosques have several minarets that can be used as beacons at night. It is worth mentioning that the designs and shapes of minarets reflect both the historical and spatial eras. Today, there are various designs of minarets in Central Asia, North Africa and Spain.

2. Dome: the first dome in Islam was built for the Holy Mosque of Jerusalem in 691 AD. Historically, the dome was first developed in Damascus in 706 AD.

3. Arch: its decorations and designs varied in the light of construction materials that were available in conquered states.

4. Columns: they are considered the most valuable architectural remains in mosques and buildings. At the early stages of mosque architecture, columns had been built by using the trunks of palm trees. Then, the industry of construction materials flourished, when stone and mud were used to build columns. As a matter of fact, the Greek and Roman architectures inspired Muslim architects to use stones as construction materials for building columns.

5. Muqarnasat: It stands for the hive-shaped decoration which dates back to the 11th century. Nowadays, itsdesigns vary in accordance with the desired purpose and shape.

Prevalent Theories in Islamic Architecture:

At the end of 19th century and beginning of 20th century, several architectural schools appeared in the west.The focus of their curricula was on the materialistic values of the industrial revolution. The schools called for an architectural reformation in which shapes are simplified to replace former decorations which were based on visual excitement. There is no doubt that dominant thought, significant events and beliefs of the community influence architecture. This can be observed by those who studied the history and theories of architecture. For example,Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Classical and Islamic architectures were somehow affected by the prevalent thoughtat that time. Post modernism architecture breached all previous architectural concepts and became more individual. For example, ornamentations and symmetry disappeared. Also, it erased the architectural identity and constructive

structure. Then, deconstruction architecture emerged. It opposes the principle of heritage resurrection. Its proponents learnt a lesson from the shortcomings of other architectural approaches such as immobility. This can be exemplified by the architects: Peter Ezman and Bernard Chomez whose works were compiled in the book entitled "Deconstruction Architecture". Thus, Deconstruction Architecture marked the collapse of aestheticism.The intellectual integration between heritage and modernism shows the human and Islamic principles which are necessary for architectural reformation. In this regard, architecture serves as an example for

other civil sectors.The tasks assigned to the architect whether in the Islamic or western world are so tough that present, past and future should be expressed by his designs. Therefore, Islamic and modern architecture (i.e. functional and analytical approaches) need to be incorporated today. The French architect, Yuji Fjuleh Lodok, pioneered modern architecture. To reformulate the Islamic theory of architecture, demerits of the past should be skipped.During the Mamluks reign in 1259, Islamic architecture regressed because of pushing politics into architecture.

It is essential to adopt new architectural theories despite the fact that they may not fill the gaps in previous theories. Unlike architecture, science is based on the revocation of former theories.

Discussion:

In his book entitled "Islamic Cities in the Middle Ages" and research paper "Islamic city and community",Eralbydos, a specialist in urbanism, highlighted the role of Arabs in the construction of cities. He stated that"Islamic Arab conquers did not demolish ancient cities". He disagreed with the European orientalists who claimed that Arabs and Islamic conquers ravaged the cities of the Mediterranean Sea.Most oriental studies which addressed the political and economic significance of the Arab world should be neglected because they glorify intolerance. The following aspects of the Islamic architecture ought to be modernized:

• shape
• religious and spiritual aspects
• moderate architectural theories

This can be attained by identifying the perspective on which the interaction between Islamic architecture and other civilizations should be built. Furthermore, subjective criticism of the Islamic concept of arts and architecture need to be ignored. For example, prohibiting decorations does not represent the Islamic mainstream.

Besides the previous aspects of modern Islamic architecture, the following matters should be considered:

1. Adapting with climate:

A building should adopt with climate because it becomes a part of nature (i.e. a tree or stone) once it is constructed. This means that it is exposed to the effects of sun, rain and wind like other objects in nature.Climatic balance was taken into account in most ancient architectural civilizations including the Islamic

architecture.

2. Respect of site:

The construction site should be respected especially when it comes to digging, filling up and

uprooting trees.

3. Ecology and Conserving Energy:

Susan Maxman thinks that the building should harmonize with the surrounding nature, people's lifestyles and community's powers. All ancient nations considered environmental factors when they designed their buildings.

4. Using environmentally friendly construction materials:

The construction materials of ancient civilizations comprised stone, mud and wood. These materials were available in nature, so no energy was needed at the manufacturing, installing and maintenance stages. Also,alternatives must be found for the construction materials which have potential dangers on health and environment.

Conclusions:

It has been noticed that some architects are turning back to the original traditions of architecture. Their perspective is influenced by the circumstances of the current age. They achieved a tremendous success in the Arab world because they took modernism and the factors which affect architecture into consideration. They also collaborated with such prominent architects as Henning Larson, because some Islamic buildings were designed by none-Muslims.

To develop an Islamic theory of architecture in which modernism and originality are paralleled, architects need to conduct more theoretical studies. On top of that, they should improve the applied approaches of Islamic architecture and gain the support of national organizations which are charged with the responsibility of reviving Islamic architecture.

Architecture Forms and Styles of mosques and buildings in Muslim countries

Many forms of Islamic architecture have evolved in different regions of the Islamic world. Notable Islamic architectural types include the early Abbasid buildings, T-Type mosques, and the central-dome mosques of Anatolia. The oil-wealth of the 20th century drove a great deal of mosque construction using designs from leading modern architects.

Arab-plan or hypostyle mosques are the earliest type of mosques, pioneered under the Umayyad Dynasty. These mosques are square or rectangular in plan with an enclosed courtyard and a covered prayer hall. Historically, because of the warm Mediterranean and Middle Eastern climates, the courtyard served to accommodate the large number of worshipers during Friday prayers. Most early hypostyle mosques have flat roofs on top of prayer halls, necessitating the use of numerous columns and supports.One of the most notable hypostyle mosques is the Mezquita in Córdoba, Spain, as the building is supported by over 850 columns.Frequently, hypostyle mosques have outer arcades so that visitors can enjoy some shade. Arab-plan mosques were constructed mostly under the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties; subsequently, however, the simplicity of the Arab plan limited the opportunities for further development, and as a result, these mosques gradually fell out of popularity.

The Ottomans introduced central dome mosques in the 15th century and have a large dome centered over the prayer hall. In addition to having one large dome at the center, there are often smaller domes that exist off-center over the prayer hall or throughout the rest of the mosque, where prayer is not performed.This style was heavily influenced by the Byzantine religious architecture with its use of large central domes.

Interpretation

Common interpretations of Islamic architecture include the following: The concept of Allah's infinite power is evoked by designs with repeating themes which suggest infinity. Human and animal forms are rarely depicted in decorative art as Allah's work is considered to be matchless. Foliage is a frequent motif but typically stylized or simplified for the same reason. Arabic Calligraphy is used to enhance the interior of a building by providing quotations from the Qur'an. Islamic architecture has been called the "architecture of the veil" because the beauty lies in the inner spaces (courtyards and rooms) which are not visible from the outside (street view). Furthermore, the use of grandiose forms such as large domes, towering minarets, and large courtyards are intended to convey power.

Contemporary architecture

Modern Islamic architecture has recently been taken to a new level with such buildings being erected such as the Burj Khalifa, currently the world's tallest building. The Burj Khalifa's design is derived from the patterning systems embodied in Islamic architecture, with the triple-lobed footprint of the building based on an abstracted version of the desert flower hymenocallis which is native to the Dubai region. Nature and flowers have often been the focal point in most traditional Islamic designs. Many modern interpretations of Islamic architecture can be found in Dubai due to the architectural boom of the Arab world. Yet to be built is Madinat al-Hareer in Kuwait which also has modern versions of Islamic architecture in its epically tall tower.

Another example of modern Islamic architecture is the King Abdulaziz International Airport's Hajj Terminal, designed for pilgims on the Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The terminal's Bangladeshi architect Fazlur Khan received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for "An Outstanding Contribution to Architecture for Muslims". Khan was also the inventor of the tube structure design used in all supertall skyscrapers since the 1960s.

Elements of Islamic style

Islamic architecture may be identified with the following design elements, which were inherited from the first mosque built byr hall (originally a feature of the Masjid al-Nabawi).

Minaret of the Great Mosque of Kairouan regarded as the oldest surviving minaret in the world, situated in Kairouan, Tunisia.

Plan view of Bab al-Barqiyya along Ayyubid Wall. Located close to one of Cairo's main modern traffic arteries, al-Azhar Street, the Fatimid-era Bab al-Barqiyya fortified gate was constructed with interlocking volumes that surrounded the entrant in such a way as to provide greater security and control than typical city wall gates.

Minarets or towers (these were originally used as torch-lit watchtowers, as seen in the Great Mosque of Damascus; hence the derivation of the word from the Arabic nur, meaning "light"). The minaret of the Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia is considered as the oldest surviving minaret in the world. It has the shape of a square massive tower of three superimposed sections.

A four-iwan plan, with three subordinate halls and one principal one that faces toward Mecca

Mihrab or prayer niche on an inside wall indicating the direction to Mecca. This may have been derived from previous uses of niches for the setting of the Torah scrolls in Jewish synagogues (see Torah ark) or the haikal of Coptic churches.

Domes and Cupolas.

Iwans to intermediate between different pavilions.

The use of geometric shapes and repetitive art (arabesque).

The use of muqarnas, a unique Arabic/Islamic space-enclosing system, for the decoration of domes, minarets and portals. Used at the Alhambra.(Compare mocárabe.) Modern muqarnas designs.

The use of decorative Islamic calligraphy instead of pictures which were haram (forbidden) in mosque architecture. Note that in secular architecture, human and animal representation was indeed present.

Central fountains used for ablutions (once used as a wudu area for Muslims).

The use of bright color, if the style is Persian or Indian (Mughal); paler sandstone and grey stones are preferred among Arab buildings. Compare the Registan complex of Uzbekistan to the Al-Azhar University of Cairo.

Focus both on the interior space of a building and the exterior[citation needed]