islamic architecture chapter three thrdj

islamic architecture chapter three

1. Islamic ArchitectureIslamic Architecture
Architectural HistoryArchitectural History
ACT 322ACT 322
Doris KempDoris Kemp

2. TopicsTopics

Islamic OriginsIslamic Origins

Islamic CharacteristicsIslamic Characteristics

Islamic Public BuildingsIslamic Public Buildings

MosquesMosques

MadresahsMadresahs

MausoleumsMausoleums

3. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
OriginsOrigins

Islamic architecture gains its origins when the Islamic architecture gains its origins when the
Muslims began to build in conquered landsMuslims began to build in conquered lands

ByzantiumByzantium

GreeceGreece

EgyptEgypt

Middle EastMiddle East

4. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Islamic architecture shares many forms and Islamic architecture shares many forms and
structural concerns with Byzantine, Medieval, structural concerns with Byzantine, Medieval,
and Renaissance architectureand Renaissance architecture

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

5. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
CharacteristicsCharacteristics

A particular characteristic is the architectural A particular characteristic is the architectural
decorationdecoration

Independent of structureIndependent of structure

Intricate patterns completely cover exteriors and Intricate patterns completely cover exteriors and
interiorsinteriors

Domes of various shapesDomes of various shapes

Arch forms in the shape of a horseshoe are uniquely Arch forms in the shape of a horseshoe are uniquely
IslamicIslamic

6. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

The most common types of Islamic public The most common types of Islamic public
buildingsbuildings

MosquesMosques

MadresahsMadresahs

MausoleumsMausoleums

7. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

MosquesMosques

Considered the most important buildingConsidered the most important building

Serve as a gathering place for prayer, teaching, and a Serve as a gathering place for prayer, teaching, and a
town halltown hall

Its form has been very consistent through time and Its form has been very consistent through time and
placeplace

8. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

MosquesMosques

The earliest mosques were built to represent the The earliest mosques were built to represent the
prophet Mohamed’s houseprophet Mohamed’s house

A courtyard and covered area for prayerA courtyard and covered area for prayer

All mosques were axial and oriented towards MeccaAll mosques were axial and oriented towards Mecca

Mecca is Islam’s most holy site Mecca is Islam’s most holy site

9. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

MosquesMosques

Dome of the RockDome of the Rock

Located in JerusalemLocated in Jerusalem

c. 684 A.D.c. 684 A.D.

Built on the spot where Built on the spot where
Muslims believe the Muslims believe the
prophet Mohamed was prophet Mohamed was
carried to heavencarried to heaven
Photo: Sullivan

10. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

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 power of Dome of gilded wood, considered a symbol of the power of
IslamIslam

11. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings
Photo: Sullivan

12. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings
Photo: Sullivan

13. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

MosquesMosques

Great MosqueGreat Mosque

Cordoba, SpainCordoba, Spain

A culminating monument of the early Islamic periodA culminating monument of the early Islamic period

FeaturesFeatures

Double-tiered archesDouble-tiered arches

Possibly derived from the Roman aqueducts in SpainPossibly derived from the Roman aqueducts in Spain

Dome featuring cross-bracings, interlacing arches, rich stucco, Dome featuring cross-bracings, interlacing arches, rich stucco,
and mosaic decorative overlaysand mosaic decorative overlays

Led to a unique Islamic styleLed to a unique Islamic style

14. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings
Photo: Sullivan

15. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings
Photo: Sullivan

16. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings
Photo: Sullivan

17. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

MadresahsMadresahs

Theological colleges and schools of religionTheological colleges and schools of religion

Usually attached directly to mosquesUsually attached directly to mosques

Typical structureTypical structure

Four vaulted halls surrounding a center courtyardFour vaulted halls surrounding a center courtyard

The largest side hall is known as the The largest side hall is known as the qiblaqibla

18. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

MadresahsMadresahs

The four halls are usually surrounded The four halls are usually surrounded

ApartmentsApartments

SchoolroomsSchoolrooms

Exterior decoration usually only surrounds openings Exterior decoration usually only surrounds openings
and marks the rooflineand marks the roofline

Unlike other public buildings where decoration starts at Unlike other public buildings where decoration starts at
the foundation and ends at the roofthe foundation and ends at the roof

19. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings
Photo: Sullivan

20. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

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 Taj The most famous Islamic mausoleum is the Taj
MahalMahal

21. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

MausoleumsMausoleums

Mausoleum of the Taj Mausoleum of the Taj
MahalMahal

c. 1631 – 1648c. 1631 – 1648

Located in Agra, IndiaLocated in Agra, India

Built as a memorial by a Built as a memorial by a
Muslim Indian ruler to his Muslim Indian ruler to his
wifewife
Photo: Sullivan

22. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

MausoleumsMausoleums

Mausoleum of the Taj MahalMausoleum of the Taj Mahal

FeaturesFeatures

Assortment of motifs from Persian and Turkish sourcesAssortment of motifs from Persian and Turkish sources

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

23. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings
Photo: Sullivan

24. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings
Photo: Sullivan

25. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings
Photo: Sullivan

26. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings
Photo: Sullivan

27. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

Other FeaturesOther Features

MaterialsMaterials

BrickBrick

Local stoneLocal stone

MarbleMarble

StuccoStucco

28. Islamic Architecture:Islamic Architecture:
Public BuildingsPublic Buildings

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 domesUnique to Islam was the many shapes of the domes

RoundRound

OctagonalOctagonal

MultilobedMultilobed

Star-shapedStar-shaped

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

30. Islamic ArchitectureIslamic Architecture
Architectural HistoryArchitectural History
ACT 322ACT 322
Doris KempDoris Kemp