IN-PERSON London Heritages. Section A

Abstract

This paper presents a contemporary reinterpretation of Muqarnas—ornamental, geometric elements of Islamic architecture—through the lens of computational design and digital fabrication. Traditionally handcrafted, Muqarnas express complex mathematical and cosmological ideas in architectural form. Drawing on fieldwork in Damascus and experimentation with CNC milling, 3d printing, and parametric modelling, this project explores how Muqarnas can be reimagined as dynamic, kinetic installations that respond to light, movement, and interaction. The research situates this work within broader conversations around digital heritage and intangible cultural practices, reframing heritage not as static preservation but as an evolving, participatory experience. A case study titled The Sacred Matrix, a kinetic installation exhibited in Dubai, demonstrates how Islamic geometry can be translated into responsive, digitally fabricated structures using servos, sensors, and algorithmic geometry. This work raises critical questions about authenticity, authorship, and embodied heritage in the digital age. It contributes to both design practice and theoretical discourse by proposing an emergent mode of heritage engagement: one that is materially inventive, technologically enhanced, and culturally rooted.