CIC Interim Research Report

1. Kate O’Hara
U3073727
Interim Report Plan
Canberra Islamic Centre (CIC) / Australian National Islamic Library
Expected Research Questions
 Are there cultural or aesthetic design guidelines from within the Canberra Islamic Centre (CIC) or ACT Government?
 Understanding of interrelationships between the users of the facility, their built environment and surroundings.
 How does the visual and cultural aspects of the CIC affect the local and regional community of Canberra, and are there
measures in place, i.e. public relations, to manage current and ongoing issues relating to Islam beliefs?
 Consider social and behavioural aspects through identifying users. Needs, habits, concerns and uses for the space.
 Understanding the aesthetic value of Islamic design.
 Infrastructure – how will road and design elements influence safety, mobility and community livability within Monash?
 Site permeability with welcoming entry points.
 What are the other Islamic organisations within Canberra and how does the CIC sit within these organisations.
 Funding and construction timeframe?
 There is a multiplicity of meanings, characteristics and influences effecting Islamic imagery and cultural backgrounds.
Does the CIC have a particular view or affiliation on Islamic design that assimilates with their community’s culture?
Best Practice Landscape Design Examples
 The Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, Canada was opened in September 2014 and is the first museum in North America
dedicated to Islam art and culture. Landscape Architect, Vladimir Djurovic.
 The Charbagh Garden at Amber Fort, Jaipur, India, demonstrates the concept of the paradise garden and symbolism of
geometric form.
 Adjacent to the Alhambra Palace are the Generalife Gardens of Granada, Spain; Muslim inspired design.
Emma Clark, Islamic Garden Designer, also provides a wide variety of design inspiration relating to Islamic gardens.
Best Practice Landscape Design Examples
Anderton, S. 2001, Islamic folly or fantasy?: Final 1 Edition, London (UK).
Book Review: Islamic Gardens and Landscapes; Middle East Garden Traditions: Unity and Diversity 2009, University of
California Press, Berkeley.
Hunt, J.D. 2012, A world of gardens, Reaktion, London.
Joyce, A. 2005, The Art of the Islamic Garden, Booklist Publications, Chicago.
Mazumdar, S. & Mazumdar, S. 2012, "Immigrant home gardens: Places of religion, culture, ecology, and family",
Landscape and Urban Planning, vol. 105, no. 3, pp. 258-265.
Redford, S. 2000, "Just landscape in medieval Anatolia", Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes, vol. 20,
no. 4, pp. 313-324.
Rostami, R., Lamit, H., Khoshnava, S.M. & Rostami, R. 2014, "The Role of Historical Persian Gardens on the Health Status
of Contemporary Urban Residents: Gardens and Health Status of Contemporary Urban Residents", EcoHealth, vol. 11, no.
3, pp. 308-321.
Shirvani, H. 1985, "The Philosophy of Persian Garden Design: The Sufi Tradition", Landscape Journal, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 23.
Smith, J.A. 1991, "The Islamic Garden in Oman: Sanctuary and Paradise", Garden History, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 187-208.
Turner, T. 2005, Garden history: philosophy and design, 2000 BC--2000 AD, Spon Press, New York; London.
Timetable for Completing Report
Timetabling for this report will centre round the submission requirement timings. Interim and final submissions will allow
for a three day grace period before submission for revision, feedback and finalization.