Architecture of any city or country not only shows the artistic and professional abilities and expertise of its architects, more importantly it illustrates the cultural identity and history of that place. The art and architecture of any community reflects many things, The Architecture and structures have preserved many obvious and hidden codes of value and meaning and it continues to transmit and demonstrate the essence and vibrations of the events that has happened throughout the existence of that place. Whether it was social, political, cultural, folk, customs and artistic events. Specially in the well preserved and sustainable cities, the buildings and their architectural style reflects and helps the visitors and locals to experience and re-live those experiences to certain level.

It is a two-way arrow, just as the thoughts and expertise of the architects have shaped and created the existing structures and their inner spaces.
The forms and designs of these structures, and their inner space also has created certain energy matrix, an invisible mellieu which can cause the occupant or visitors to experience certain inner emotional, intellectual or spiritual states. Meaning the architectural design of that space can positively or negatively effect the moods and well-beings of the people in and around those structures and as a result their thoughts and actions.

Thus Architecture becomes a vital force, which its importance is much greater than the obvious utilitarian and functional aspect, because it effects all dimensions of the humanity. Of course it is not the only influencing factor, but a very important one.

In a way a high quality and architecturally well designed building adds to the overall value of the town. It not only beautifies the place and make the place more suitable for their inhabitants, it also attracts many visitors whom consciously or subconsciously become attracted to visit and spend time around these places, because their soul and sub conscious mind can attune to the vibrations of those eras and re-live and feel those places and events. Some structures are so impressive and mesmerizing that being in or around them, immediately take you to a different mental and time zone, you completely get attuned and influenced. For instance Taj Mahal in Agra, Aya sophia mosque in Istanbul, Collesium in Rome and many other unique structures.

During my international academic and cultural visits to various cities around the world, I have repeatedly and deeply experienced this feeling. Architecture and art forms, regardless of their geographic location and background reflect the cultural, religious and historical identity and background of that city. In a way, while you walk around any town, if you look at the buildings, their architectural designs and types, and other artistic features such as statues, paintings and so on, you get a clear sense of what has happened through time. In a way you can see and understand the gradual transformation and development process of a nation according to what you see, because all existing art, specially architecture reflects the state of mind and belief systems of the leaders , and people whom lived throughout any nation’s history. For instance while I was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, looking at various temples, churches and mosques, And having a little background about Malaysian history, I could clearly observe and feel the passage of time and the influence of various beliefs and religions which have effected and inspired the nation in different periods of their history. For instance, old Hindu and Buddhist temples in the old part s of the country and capital city, and then with the emergence of Christianity and finally Islam, churches and mosques were built at a later stage. Of course religion is not the only dimension that has been reflected in the architecture of a community. Other cultural tribal, and local customs have also been considered and used in their designs while building the structure. Furthermore other modern events, such as wars, natural disasters, even sport events have changed the outlook of cities. For instance war museums and parks, huge monumental cemeteries for veterans, monuments for Hiroshima victims and even Olympics can leave a special architectural trace which reminds and declares another part of that city’s history.

Thus architecture if used properly and sustainably can add tremendous richness and quality to any city. A city which has various architectural masterpieces which belong to different periods of history, but at the same time have blended and become harmonized with one another through time, they convert the city to a large and open museum. For instance, If you walk in an old town like Rome or old section of Esfahan, it will be as if you are taking a virtual history tour, the whole town looks like a museum where you can not only see the history unfolding itself right in front of your eyes, but also feel the essence and energy of those eras in history.

2A magazine has always been dedicated and focused on looking at architecture and art from as many different angles as possible, and in doing so provide a diverse and colorful source of architectural and artistic material which can be helpful or all of our correspondents and also create a forum where all architects and artists around the world and specially those in the middle east can freely exchange and share their ideas, projects and articles.