Geometry Workshop

Bridging Heritage and Mathematics: A Report on the Two-Day Islamic Geometry Workshop at LUMS

Lahore: Aiwan-e-Ilm-o-Fann, a premier cultural institution dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Islamic arts in Pakistan and the organizer of the biennial International Islamic Art Festival (IIAF), successfully conducted a specialized two-day workshop under its ongoing educational series, "Islamic Art Collectives."

Organized in collaboration with the Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature at LUMS, the workshop featured the distinguished Turkish scholar and expert on geometric patterns, Dr. Serap Ekizler Sönmez. The event attracted a diverse group of participants, including students from LUMS, the National College of Arts (NCA), the University of the Punjab, as well as architects, mathematicians, and art enthusiasts.

The primary objective of the workshop was to decode the complex mathematical principles underlying Islamic geometric patterns and to bridge the gap between historical heritage and modern architectural understanding.

Session I: A Five-Level Pattern in Pakistani Islamic Architecture and Its Component Typology The first session was dedicated to the structural analysis of geometric systems found in the region’s heritage. Titled "A Five-Level Pattern in Pakistani Islamic Architecture and Its Component Typology," this module focused on the deconstruction of complex designs. Dr. Serap guided the participants through the structural layers of a "five-level pattern," explaining how various modular components interact to form a cohesive whole.

Participants engaged in a rigorous analysis of the typology of these components. Rather than viewing the patterns merely as decorative elements, the students learned to construct them step-by-step, understanding the mathematical logic and the grid systems that govern Mughal and Islamic architectural ornamentation.

Session II: From a Five-Level Pattern to Platonic Solids: A Geometric Transition Building upon the 2D analysis, the second session, titled "From a Five-Level Pattern to Platonic Solids: A Geometric Transition," explored the fascinating relationship between two-dimensional planes and three-dimensional volumes.

This advanced session examined the principles of transformation, demonstrating how a flat, five-level pattern structurally relates to Platonic solids in 3D space. Participants explored the geometry of transition, learning how to project historical patterns into volumetric forms. This segment was crucial for architecture students, offering insights into spatial geometry and structural design.

Practical Application and Closing Ceremony The workshop concluded with an intensive hands-on session where participants applied the theoretical knowledge to create intricate 3D geometric models.

Using paper, card, and precise measurements, the students constructed physical representations of the transition from 2D patterns to 3D solids.

The closing ceremony was graced by Dr. Ali Usman Qasmi (Director, Gurmani Centre), Dr. Serap Ekizler Sönmez, and Mr. Irfan Ahmad Qureshi (Founder, Islamic Art Festival & General Secretary, Aiwan-e-Ilm-o-Fann).

Dr. Ali Usman Qasmi lauded the initiative, emphasizing the importance of such scholarly collaborations in revitalizing interest in traditional sciences and arts. Mr. Irfan Ahmad Qureshi thanked the Gurmani Centre for their partnership and reiterated Aiwan-e-Ilm-o-Fann’s commitment to hosting world-class scholars to mentor Pakistani students.

The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants, acknowledging their successful completion of the technical training and the creation of their geometric models.