New Contextualism
New Contextualism

Architecture. Context. Relationships.

Conceptual proposal Conceptual proposal

Reclaiming the Al-Cazaba

Andalusia, Spain Documented 2025

A conceptual proposal to revitalise a layered Islamic fortress complex as a hub for interfaith and cultural exchange.

Abstract editorial plate: a walled enclosure on a hill, with houses stepping down the contours. It does not depict the project. Abstract plate
Abstract plate: a walled enclosure on a hill, with houses stepping down the contours. An original editorial drawing; it does not depict the project. Documentation will be added with the permission of the project’s authors.

Editorial summary Awaiting the founder’s approval Compiled from the cited sources

01 Context and background

The proposal concerns the historic core of a layered Islamic fortress complex in Spain. The caption in the 2025 essay locates it at the Al-Cazaba de Guadix, while the text of the essay refers to the Al-Cazaba in Almeria; the site should be confirmed with the project team (Reza 2025).

02 Research questions

Awaiting documentation Not yet documented. This section will be completed with material supplied or approved by the project’s authors.

03 Conditions

Historical

Not yet documented.

Social

Not yet documented.

Cultural

Not yet documented.

Ecological

Not yet documented.

04 Analytical process

Awaiting documentation Not yet documented. This section will be completed with material supplied or approved by the project’s authors.

05 Design response

It proposes a sensitive revitalisation of the complex into a dynamic hub for interfaith and cultural exchange, balancing historical reverence with contemporary relevance, integrating contemporary uses and enhancing public accessibility (Reza 2025).

06 Outcomes and critical reflections

The essay presents the proposal as an exploration of how the philosophy could guide the revitalisation of a historically layered site beyond Bengal, and as an example of ‘cross-cultural contextualism’ (Reza 2025).

07 Contributors and references

Mohammad Habib Reza, Mohammad Zillur Rahman, Itminan, Tanima Uddin and Ishtiaque Hossain Chowdhury, as credited in the published sources.

  1. Reza 2025Reza, Mohammad Habib. 2025. “New Contextualism: An architectural philosophy for deltaic Bangladesh.” The Daily Star, April 23, 2025. https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/focus/news/new-contextualism-architectural-philosophy-deltaic-bangladesh-3878456. Record

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