Combining Architecture and Art Inspired by Nature Case Study: Islamic Era Architecture of Kurdistan Province

Despite the numerous efforts in recent decades to improve the architectural design process, however, not any rich solution are developed for applying art in architecture inspired by nature. Therefore, it is necessary to respond to how to extract design solutions in the face of nature and inspiration from nature and to get clues to stimulate the imagination of designers by analyzing, comparing, and reviewing the existing examples and works of great contemporary architects. This paper aims to extract and categorize the influential components of art inspired by nature with an emphasis on Islamic architecture. Additionally, the foundations and principles that may be understood in a general and striking way in the spaces of Islamic architecture inspired by nature are explained in the form of different topics to achieve a better understanding of the architecture. Accordingly, the purpose of this research is to provide the mental associations of artists in the design process, based on modeling from nature to improve the thinking of Islamic architecture. However, the paper employ an applied descriptive-analytical methodology. The data was collected by the library method, and the analysis was conducted by the field studies. In this research, components, and solutions for better exercise of art and nature are proposed to stimulate imagination and use by designers. Furthermore, the results show that nature, holds a significant effect on Islamic architecture and is effective in various strategies leading to architectural creativity. Nature's art is ever-present and unclassifiable as influential means for inspiration, which is significant in the landmark buildings and examples presented. Moreover Islamic architecture, rather than seeking a specific form, serves the Muslim to achieve perfection with the aid of nature and pursues the ultimate purpose of human creation, which is indeed the worship of God. Therefore, the formalistic and apparent perceptions of nature alone shall not be enough, and the presence of the spirit of nature in architecture lead to its improvement and manifestation. However, the climatic, cultural, social, and political issues of each region may strongly influence architecture and its functions, therefore, the particular Islamic culture also creates its forms and functions; this is the point that makes Islamic architecture distinguish from other buildings.