Neo-Orientalism and the Search for Identity

The recent emergence of neo-orientalist architecture has become prevalent within the non-western world. This raises ethical questions about the way recent architectural and urban developments have been attempting to keep up with globalization and western technological advances while also holding onto their national identities and collective memories. This struggle of mediating local cultures and modernity as a reflection of society within the built environment has been a concern since the start of post-colonialism and orientalism. This paper will look at the way humanism kick started this issue and how the resulting orientalism and colonialism have influenced the built environment through a critical look at modernity, national identity, manipulated and constructed memories and the rise of neo-oriental architectural production. We will also look at the non-western world’s constant need to define and reference historical and cultural roots in the production of today’s architecture and the role that it’s colonized past plays. Throughout the paper we will look into examples from the built environment and into how the architect attempted to find a middle ground between modernity and vernacular architecture while attempting to allow local values and society to influence the work.

https://doi.org/10.35483/ACSA.AM.106.85

Volume Editors
Amir Ameri & Rebecca O'Neal Dagg

ISBN
978-1-944214-15-9