Located adjacent to the 15th-century Timurid-era Ishrat Khana mausoleum in Samarkand, this project envisions a culturally sensitive architectural complex that harmonizes contemporary Islamic cultural needs with the preservation of historical heritage.
Concept Overview
The Islamic Cultural Center is designed not as an intervention but as a respectful continuation of a centuries-old narrative. With no structural alterations to the original ruins, the design emphasizes preservation through lightness — integrating polycarbonate roofing and traditional wooden architectural details to protect and visually complement the monument.
Main Programmatic Components
Cultural Facilities: Museum of Islamic art and heritage, public library, and a state-of-the-art 800-seat auditorium for lectures and community events.
Educational & Administrative Zones: Spread across two floors, the center includes classrooms, seminar spaces, and offices for cultural management.
Exhibition Areas: Indoor and semi-open galleries designed to adapt to multiple types of display and community programming.
Landscape & Urban Approach
The surrounding landscape is carefully terraced, creating buffer gardens that act as both transitional thresholds and contemplative green zones. These elements serve to protect the heritage core while welcoming public access through carefully directed circulation.
Architectural Language
Architecturally, the center draws from Timurid geometric patterns and proportions, reinterpreted in a contemporary material palette. The result is a structure that resonates with its historic surroundings while embracing modern functionality and spatial clarity.
Project Status
Currently in the design development phase, the project is a testament to the value of cultural continuity — preserving the sacred while serving the present and future needs of the community.
