Islamic Architecture Gains Its Origins - ( By Doris Kemp )

Islamic Architecture Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp

Topics   

Islamic Origins Islamic Characteristics Islamic Public Buildings Mosques  Madresahs  Mausoleums 

Islamic Architecture: Origins 

Islamic architecture gains its origins when the Muslims began to build in conquered lands Byzantium  Greece  Egypt  Middle East 

Islamic Architecture: Characteristics 

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Islamic architecture shares many forms and structural concerns with Byzantine, Medieval, and Renaissance architecture Islamic architectural characteristics Large interior spaces  Domes and ceilings  Arches and columns  Walls and vaults  Wall-like facades 

Islamic Architecture: Characteristics 

A particular characteristic is the architectural decoration Independent of structure  Intricate patterns completely cover exteriors and interiors  Domes of various shapes  Arch forms in the shape of a horseshoe are uniquely Islamic 

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

The most common types of Islamic public buildings Mosques  Madresahs  Mausoleums 

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

Mosques Considered the most important building  Serve as a gathering place for prayer, teaching, and a town hall  Its form has been very consistent through time and place 

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

Mosques 

The earliest mosques were built to represent the prophet Mohamed’s house 

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A courtyard and covered area for prayer

All mosques were axial and oriented towards Mecca 

Mecca is Islam’s most holy site

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

Mosques 

Dome of the Rock   

Located in Jerusalem c. 684 A.D. Built on the spot where Muslims believe the prophet Mohamed was carried to heaven

Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

Mosques 

Dome of the Rock 

Features      

Octagonal format Vaulting Columns Piers Rich mosaic decoration Dome of gilded wood, considered a symbol of the power of Islam

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings

Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings

Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

Mosques 

Great Mosque Cordoba, Spain  A culminating monument of the early Islamic period  Features 

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Double-tiered arches  Possibly derived from the Roman aqueducts in Spain Dome featuring cross-bracings, interlacing arches, rich stucco, and mosaic decorative overlays  Led to a unique Islamic style

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings

Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings

Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings

Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

Madresahs Theological colleges and schools of religion  Usually attached directly to mosques  Typical structure 

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Four vaulted halls surrounding a center courtyard 

The largest side hall is known as the qibla

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

Madresahs 

The four halls are usually surrounded Apartments  Schoolrooms 

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Exterior decoration usually only surrounds openings and marks the roofline 

Unlike other public buildings where decoration starts at the foundation and ends at the roof

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings

Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

Mausoleums Memorials to holy men and rulers  Usually centrally planed and domed  The most famous Islamic mausoleum is the Taj Mahal 

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

Mausoleums 

Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal  

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c. 1631 – 1648 Located in Agra, India Built as a memorial by a Muslim Indian ruler to his wife Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

Mausoleums 

Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal 

Features 

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Assortment of motifs from Persian and Turkish sources Many gardens and water pools Inlaid stone patterns and Koranic inscriptions Lacy marble walls Large portals Extravagant domes

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings

Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings

Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings

Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings

Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

Other Features 

Materials Brick  Local stone  Marble  Stucco 

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings 

Other Features 

Domes Used to cover prayer halls and other spaces  Unique to Islam was the many shapes of the domes 

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Round Octagonal Multilobed Star-shaped

References 

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Sullivan, Mary; http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/ http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/wdpt1 .html Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Prehistory to Postmodernity Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Architecture

Islamic Architecture Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp