Waleed Arafa, “Interpreting Tradition: In search of a future of architecture”

Waleed Arafa
Waleed Arafa is an Egyptian architect and founder of Dar Arafa Architecture. He earned degrees from Ain Shams University, Egypt and the AA, London. The working title for his MA thesis in the History of Islamic Art & Architecture, American University in Cairo, is: “Re-interpreting Tradition: In search of a future of architecture”. He realized projects in Egypt, France, Bahrain, UAE and elsewhere and was twice nominated for the Aga Khan Award and has won more than 10 other international architectural awards.

Interpreting Tradition: In search of a future of architecture
This lecture will share the speaker’s search for an interpretation of tradition in architecture, to inform new possibilities in the fields of architectural theory and practice, especially with regards to the so-called ‘Islamic’ architecture. The premise stems from his claim that current interpretations are incapable of continuing the discontinued ‘Islamic’ tradition in architecture. Thus a revisiting of definitions of tradition in ‘Islamic’ thought and architecture is a must. The practical application will be showcased in my journey of designing and building the mosque typology in different countries. This search is not intended only for the progress of Muslim thought and architecture; it equally aspires to present alternative outlooks to the whole world regarding a new future(s) of architecture.