Modern Architecture of Uzbekistan

Abstract

ISSN: 2168-9717 As far as we know, in traditional architecture of Uzbekistan the special place occupies a principle of the organization of the closed court yard. At the dawn of its history the humanity used natural construction materials, namely timber, natural stone, clay, straw, among which clay was the most widespread and easy one to use. Universally available and cheap, it was actively used in construction not only in Central Asia, but also around many countries all over the world. Statistical data shows that about 30% of the world’s population or around 1.5 million people live in clay houses. Around 20% of the above mentioned population lives in cities and city suburbs. Central Asian rural areas have over 50% of housing and facilities built of natural clay. This is primarily caused by its availability, economic efficiency and excellent insulation qualities. First primitive rounded shape air bricks were first applied in Central Asia ten thousand years ago and are perpetually used since then. An excellent example for entire city built of clay is ancient Khorezmian city Toprak-kala, inhabited up to the 6th century AD. It was surrounded by a clay wall, had one major street with a number of secondary streets perpendicular to the major one. The remainders of clay sculptures, mural paintings, highly developed irrigation systems have been excavated. Some historical sites dated from early Middle Ages still are in more or less good condition. In the period preceding the spread of Islam around Central Asia, Termiz had numerous Buddha temples, stupas and castles, some of which survived till present time. Corner towers, some walls and arch covered corridors of Kyrk-kyz palace in Termiz (10-11 th century AD) maintained their original height, though its last clay dome collapsed in 1980. Chadrah-khovli erected in 18th century near Khiva still demonstrates its exceptional sublimity. Uzbekistan also has numerous houses built up from wooden frames, clay and air bricks spread around its territory and majority of them is over 100 years old. The most popular unburnt construction material was “pakhsa”. It looked like a wall comprised of earthen belts of various height. Widely spread 75×90×100 sm (Ak-tepe castle) and 100×90×300 cm (Tali-barzu castle) “pakhsa” blocks were manufactured directly on site. Air bricks, clay mortars, puddle and “guvalya” (rounded air bricks) were used as well.