ARCHITECTURE OF

SOUTH ASIA
(Part 2a)
ARC 1425
History of Architecture 4
WAZIR KHAN MOSQUE, LAHORE,
PAKISTAN
A 17th century mosque located in the city of Lahore, province of Punjab.
Construction of Wazir Khan Mosque began in 1634 A.D, and was completed in
1641 A.D during the reign of Shah Jahan. Wazir Khan Mosque is renowned for
its intricate faience tile work known as kashi-kari, as well as its interior surfaces
that are almost entirely embellished with elaborate Mughal-era frescoes.

Faience is a ceramic material of glazed

terracotta that is used to clad buildings.
... Faience tiles are not only durable, they
can be formed in to intricate and detailed
shapes, and glazed in a variety of colours
that can be anything from matt to high
gloss in their finish

https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=sGOS36Abesk
WAZIR KHAN MOSQUE, LAHORE,
PAKISTAN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGOS36Abesk
SHAH FAISAL MOSQUE, ISLAMABAD,
PAKISTAN
The Faisal Mosque is the 2nd largest mosque in the world and its site was chosen
by the president of Pakistan, Marshal Ayub Khan. Where the purpose of choosing
this site was to make a modern city distinct from those of the past. Where it
located at the north of the city’s main approach Shahrah-e-Islamabad against the
backdrop and at the foot of the picturesque Margalla hill. Therefore, it created a
focal point of the capital, to command the entire panorama of the city and to
ensure visibility during day and night.

https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=lxuAoM_lqNE
PAKISTAN MONUMENT, ISLAMABAD,
PAKISTAN
The Pakistan Monument is a National Monument and Heritage Museum located on the Western
Shakarparian Hills in Islamabad, Pakistan. The monument was constructed to symbolise the unity
of the Pakistani People. Covering a total area of 2.8 hectares, the monument is shaped as a
blooming flower petal-shaped structure built of granite, with the inner walls of the petals inscribed
with the outlines of Lahore Fort, Badshahi (Emperor’s) Mosque, Khyber Pass and Minar-e-
Pakistan. The Monument opens onto a marble terrace providing a bird's-eye view of Islamabad
City. The four main petals of the monument represent the four provinces of Balochistan, Khyber-
Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh, while the three smaller petals represent the three territories of
Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and the Tribal Areas. The central platform is made in the
shape of a five-pointed star which is surrounded by a water body.

https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=H49HtIkqQZo
PAKISTAN MONUMENT, ISLAMABAD,
PAKISTAN

https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=H49HtIkqQZo
ARCHITECTURE IN BHUTAN
Bhutanese architecture consists of Dzong and
everyday varieties. Dzongs in Bhutan were
built as fortresses and have served as
religious and administrative centers since the
17th century. Secular lordly houses
emerged as a distinct style in the late 19th
century, during a period of relative peace in
Bhutan. Throughout its history, Bhutan has
mainly followed the Tibetan tradition of
Buddhist architecture.
 PUNAKHA DZONG, PUNAKHA, BHUTAN
The Punakha Dzong (the palace of great happiness or bliss), is the
administrative centre of Punakha District in Punakha, Bhutan. The dzong
was constructed by Ngawang Namgyal, in 1637–38. It is the second
oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic
structures.

https://www.youtu
be.com/watch?v=-
7U3Pc0xiyc
PUNAKHA DZONG, PUNAKHA, BHUTAN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7U3Pc0xiyc
TASHICHHO DZONG, THIMPHU, BHUTAN
Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952 and presently
houses the throne room and offices of the king, the secretariat and the ministries
of home affairs and finance. Other government departments are housed in
buildings nearby.
It was first constructed in 1216 A.D. by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa where Dechen
Phodrang now stands above Thimphu. The dzong is located close to Thimphu
town, next to the banks of the Wang Chhu River. It is an impressively large
structure, surrounded by well-kept lawns and beautiful gardens.

https://www.youtu
be.com/watch?v=
XbJ5sFKSy7M
TRADITIONAL BHUTANESE HOUSE
Walls are more often made of stone in these regions, as opposed to the rammed
earth more prevalent in the west.
Doors of Bhutanese homes usually have a tongue-and-groove design, hinged on a
pair of wooden pegs. Have smaller windows are built into lower floors, with larger
windows on upper levels to add to structural soundness. Windows are most often
decorated with a curved trefoil (horzhing) motif. Sloping, wooden-shingled roofs are
pitched but lack rain gutters; there is a growing trend toward metal shingles for their
durability. Traditional roofs are adorned by a wooden cornice. There is usually a
large space left between the roof and walls for air to pass. Interior stairs are cut
from single trunks when possible.
DRUK CHOEDING, PARO, BHUTAN
Built-in the 15th century by Ngawang Chogyel, Druk Choeding is one of the
many magnificent monasteries in Paro. It is also known by the name
Tshongdoe temple or Tshongdoe Naktsang. The main attraction of this temple
is the presence of a seated statue of Future Buddha called Jampa. It also
houses ancient war artefacts. The 16th-century old shrine has a pleasant vibe
around which also provides a picturesque panoramic view of the valley. One
can also take a walk to the local market nearby.
BHUTANESE NEIGHBORHOOD
• The architecture of ordinary houses varies according to location and elevation.
In the southern lower altitudes, thatched bamboo houses are common;
buildings progress to simple stone structures in higher altitudes.
• Two-storied buildings resembling but smaller than the lordly mansions are
common throughout western Bhutan. Like mansions, upper floors are often
reserved for chapels, which double as guest quarters. Attics, insulated with
bamboo mats and hay, often serve for drying animal skins and chilies.
ARCHITECTURE OF NEPAL
Nepali architecture or Nepalese architecture
is a unique strain of art and practicality.
Situated in between the trade routes of India,
Tibet and China.
Nepali architecture reflects influences from
both these cultural strongholds.
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
Nepal's architecture is divided into three
non-specific stylistic groups, namely
pagoda style, stupa style and shikhara
style
ARCHITECTURE OF NEPAL
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
shikhara style
The North Indian shikhara is
basically of two types: (1)
the latina, curvilinear in outline, the
type most usually found above the
sanctuary; and
(2) the phamsana, rectilinear in
outline and capped by a bell-
shaped member, the form more
usually found above the mandapa.
 ARCHITECTURE OF NEPAL
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
COMPARISON

NYATAPOLA TEMPLE SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA MAHABOUDDHA TEMPLE

KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE,
KATHMANDU, NEPAL
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of three squares within Kathmandu Valley
in Nepal. Durbar Square (durbar translates to “palace” or “a court held by a
prince”) is an important site for Buddhist and Hindu rituals, holy ceremonies, royal
events, and kingly coronations. Within the inner complex of Durbar Square is the
site of the Old Royal Palaces (referred to as the Hanuman Dhoka Palace
Complex). The Royal Palaces used to house the kings of the Shah and Malla
Dynasty, who ruled over the city until the 19th-century. The palaces have since
been turned into museums.

https://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=QpeR50k8
km8
SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA , KATHMANDU,
NEPAL
Swayambhunath Stupa is one of the most ancient and holy shrines in the
Kathmandu valley and has been an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination
since 5th century AD.
Swayambhunath is also fondly known as the ‘Monkey Temple’ on account of
hundreds of monkeys that abound the hill. Swayambhunath houses the
famous six meter high image of Shakyamuni, the oldest persona of Lord
Buddha. Evening prayers are held every day around this statue along with the
chanting of Sanskrit sutras.

https://www.youtube.com/wa
tch?v=3h11mR56hIw
KRISHNA TEMPLE , KATHMANDU,
NEPAL
The Krishna temple on the west side of Patan's Darbar square was completed in
1637. Beneath its 21 golden pinnacles are three floors. The first floor enshrines
Krishna, the second Shiva (in the form of a linga), and the third Lokeshwor. Except
for the ground floor, a series of chhatri pavilions frame the inner ambulatories; eight
each are located at the corners and cardinal directions of the second and third
levels, while the fourth level includes four ornamental chattri built directly into each
face of the sikhara. On the ground floor, the inner walls of the wraparound gallery
are divided into five bays on each side, with a door located at the center of each
facade. The remaining bays feature scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata
narrated in Newari script.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=RBoZGOVEp7Q
NARAYANHITI ROYAL PALACE,
KATHMANDU, NEPAL
Narayanhiti is made up of two words ‘narayan’ and ‘hiti’.
'Narayan' is a form of the Hindu god "Vishnu” whose temple is located
opposite to the palace and ‘hiti’ means “water spout” which is also
located to the east of main entrance in the precincts of the palace, and
which has a legend associated with it. The entire enclosure surrounded
by a compound wall, located in the north-central part of Kathmandu, is
called the Narayanhiti palace. It was a new palace, in front of the old
palace of 1915 vintage, built in 1970 in the form of a contemporary
Pagoda. It was built on the occasion of the marriage of Birendra Bir
Bikram Shah, the then heir apparent to the throne. The southern gate
of the palace is located at the crossing of Prithvipath and Darbar Marg
roads. The palace area covers 30 hectares (74 acres) and is fully
secured with gate controlled walls on all sides.
NARAYANHITI ROYAL PALACE,
KATHMANDU, NEPAL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPemSFkSwA8
ARCHITECTURE IN THE MALDIVES
A traditional Maldivian village is notable for its
neat and orderly layout, with broad streets in
a regular, rectangular grid.
Houses are made of coral-stone joined with
mortar, and the walls line the sides of the
roads. Many homes will have a shaded
courtyard in front, enclosed by a chest-height
coral wall fronting the street.
TRADITIONAL HOUSE IN THE MALDIVES
Coral rock used to be the main aggregate for most construction purposes in
Maldives. Coral blocks have been historically used for buildings and road
construction. The coral blocks were extracted from shallow reef flats at 1-2
meters depth, with the help of iron bars to break up the living coral.
VELANA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,
MALE, MALDIVES
Male airport is the main gateway into the Maldives islands for tourists. It is
currently the only airport in the country offering international flights.
WESTIN MALDIVES MIRIANDHOO
RESORT, MALDIVES
Peia Associates architects drew inspiration from the treasures of the
location, created villas that resembled like turtles heading out to sea
WESTIN MALDIVES MIRIANDHOO
RESORT, MALDIVES
PARK HYATT, MALDIVES
The resort is inspired by local, indigenous forms together with a rational
exploration of the needs of guests for comfort and privacy. The form of the
main arrival space is inspired by the Maldivian Dhoni boat, traditionally used for
inter-atoll navigation. The boat has a distinctive ribbed timber hull that was
turned upside down to create a sheltered reception area. Traditional craftsmen
were used to create the Dhoni hull, ensuring that it was authentic in its use of
timber sizes and details.
Retrieved from http://www.scdaarchitects.com/architecture/park-hyatt-maldives
PARK HYATT, MALDIVES
References/Sources:

• A History of Architecture by Sir Banister Fletcher

• Architectural Character and the History of Architecture by George S. Salvan
• The Complete Handbook of Architecture by Patrick Nuttgens with Richard
Weston
• The Story of Architecture From Antiquity to the Present by Jan Gympel
• Visual Dictionary of Architecture by Francis D. K. Ching
• Jetavanaramaya Stupa. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
• Ruwanvelisaya Stupa. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
• Dambulla Cave Temple. Retrieved from https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/561/