islamic architecture gains its origins - ( By Doris Kemp )

Islamic Islamic ArchitectureArchitecture

Architectural HistoryArchitectural History

ACT 322ACT 322

Doris KempDoris Kemp

TopicsTopics

Islamic OriginsIslamic Origins Islamic CharacteristicsIslamic Characteristics Islamic Public BuildingsIslamic Public Buildings

MosquesMosques MadresahsMadresahs MausoleumsMausoleums

Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:OriginsOrigins

Islamic architecture gains its origins Islamic architecture gains its origins when the Muslims began to build in when the Muslims began to build in conquered landsconquered lands ByzantiumByzantium GreeceGreece EgyptEgypt Middle EastMiddle East

Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Islamic architecture shares many Islamic architecture shares many forms and structural concerns with forms and structural concerns with Byzantine, Medieval, and Renaissance Byzantine, Medieval, and Renaissance architecturearchitecture

Islamic architectural characteristicsIslamic architectural characteristics Large interior spacesLarge interior spaces Domes and ceilingsDomes and ceilings Arches and columnsArches and columns Walls and vaultsWalls and vaults Wall-like facadesWall-like facades

Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:CharacteristicsCharacteristics

A particular characteristic is the A particular characteristic is the architectural decorationarchitectural decoration Independent of structureIndependent of structure Intricate patterns completely cover Intricate patterns completely cover

exteriors and interiorsexteriors and interiors Domes of various shapesDomes of various shapes Arch forms in the shape of a horseshoe Arch forms in the shape of a horseshoe

are uniquely Islamicare uniquely Islamic

Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

The most common types of Islamic The most common types of Islamic public buildingspublic buildings MosquesMosques MadresahsMadresahs MausoleumsMausoleums


MosquesMosques Considered the most important buildingConsidered the most important building Serve as a gathering place for prayer, Serve as a gathering place for prayer,

teaching, and a town hallteaching, and a town hall Its form has been very consistent Its form has been very consistent

through time and placethrough time and place


MosquesMosques The earliest mosques were built to The earliest mosques were built to

represent the prophet Mohamed’s represent the prophet Mohamed’s househouse A courtyard and covered area for prayerA courtyard and covered area for prayer

All mosques were axial and oriented All mosques were axial and oriented towards Meccatowards Mecca Mecca is Islam’s most holy site Mecca is Islam’s most holy site


MosquesMosques Dome of the RockDome of the Rock

Located in Located in JerusalemJerusalem

c. 684 A.D.c. 684 A.D. Built on the spot Built on the spot

where Muslims where Muslims believe the prophet believe the prophet Mohamed was Mohamed was carried to heavencarried to heaven

Photo: Sullivan


MosquesMosques Dome of the RockDome of the Rock

FeaturesFeatures Octagonal formatOctagonal format VaultingVaulting ColumnsColumns PiersPiers Rich mosaic decorationRich mosaic decoration Dome of gilded wood, considered a symbol of the Dome of gilded wood, considered a symbol of the

power of Islampower of Islam


Photo: Sullivan


MosquesMosques Great MosqueGreat Mosque

Cordoba, SpainCordoba, Spain A culminating monument of the early Islamic A culminating monument of the early Islamic

periodperiod FeaturesFeatures

Double-tiered archesDouble-tiered arches Possibly derived from the Roman aqueducts in Possibly derived from the Roman aqueducts in

SpainSpain Dome featuring cross-bracings, interlacing arches, Dome featuring cross-bracings, interlacing arches,

rich stucco, and mosaic decorative overlaysrich stucco, and mosaic decorative overlays Led to a unique Islamic styleLed to a unique Islamic style


Photo: Sullivan


MadresahsMadresahs Theological colleges and schools of Theological colleges and schools of

religionreligion Usually attached directly to mosquesUsually attached directly to mosques Typical structureTypical structure

Four vaulted halls surrounding a center Four vaulted halls surrounding a center courtyardcourtyard

The largest side hall is known as the The largest side hall is known as the qiblaqibla


MadresahsMadresahs The four halls are usually surrounded The four halls are usually surrounded

ApartmentsApartments SchoolroomsSchoolrooms

Exterior decoration usually only Exterior decoration usually only surrounds openings and marks the surrounds openings and marks the rooflineroofline Unlike other public buildings where Unlike other public buildings where

decoration starts at the foundation and ends decoration starts at the foundation and ends at the roofat the roof


Photo: Sullivan


MausoleumsMausoleums Memorials to holy men and rulersMemorials to holy men and rulers Usually centrally planed and domedUsually centrally planed and domed The most famous Islamic mausoleum is The most famous Islamic mausoleum is

the Taj Mahalthe Taj Mahal


MausoleumsMausoleums Mausoleum of the Mausoleum of the

Taj MahalTaj Mahal c. 1631 – 1648c. 1631 – 1648 Located in Agra, Located in Agra,

IndiaIndia Built as a memorial Built as a memorial

by a Muslim Indian by a Muslim Indian ruler to his wiferuler to his wife

Photo: Sullivan


MausoleumsMausoleums Mausoleum of the Taj MahalMausoleum of the Taj Mahal

FeaturesFeatures Assortment of motifs from Persian and Turkish Assortment of motifs from Persian and Turkish

sourcessources Many gardens and water poolsMany gardens and water pools Inlaid stone patterns and Koranic inscriptionsInlaid stone patterns and Koranic inscriptions Lacy marble wallsLacy marble walls Large portalsLarge portals Extravagant domesExtravagant domes


Photo: Sullivan


Other FeaturesOther Features MaterialsMaterials

BrickBrick Local stoneLocal stone MarbleMarble StuccoStucco


Other FeaturesOther Features DomesDomes

Used to cover prayer halls and other spacesUsed to cover prayer halls and other spaces Unique to Islam was the many shapes of the Unique to Islam was the many shapes of the

domesdomes RoundRound OctagonalOctagonal MultilobedMultilobed Star-shapedStar-shaped

ReferencesReferences Sullivan, Mary; Sullivan, Mary;

http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/ http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/

wdpt1.htmlwdpt1.html Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From

Prehistory to PostmodernityPrehistory to Postmodernity Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western

ArchitectureArchitecture

Islamic Islamic ArchitectureArchitecture

Architectural HistoryArchitectural History

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Doris KempDoris Kemp

islamic architecture gains its origins - ( By Doris Kemp )

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