University of Palestine

Faculty of Applied Engineering & Urban Planning

School of Architecture

The Role of Islamic Architecture in Contemporary Style

Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf,

University of Palestine
 CONTENTS

ANALYSIS OF ISLAMIC
ARCHITECTURE
1) Design Principles
Introduction .
A. Unity .
B. Functionality.
C. Pursuit of Knowledge.
D. Creativity.
E. Professionalism.
F. Identity and Diversity.
G. Sustainability.

CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE
1) Classification
Universal Architecture .
Developed Islamic Architecture .

2) Directions of Application .

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

CONCLUSION

2
(1)
DESIGN PRINCIPLES

CONTEMPORARY
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

ANALYSIS OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Design Principles
INTRODUCTION

Design Principles:
1)Unity .
2)Functionality .
3)Pursuit of Knowledge .
4)Creativity .
5)Professionalism .
6)Identity and Diversity .

4
Design Principles
(A) Unity
 Unity: the unified belief of the entire  Thus, the philosophies of the Muslims
nation in one God, one Book and one (or those accepted by the Muslims)
Prophet. were continuously refined to adhere
with the mentioned resources.
 Quran and Hedith: characterized the
creed and the lifestyle of the Muslim in
much of its details.

 Other significant unifying elements

were Arabic language (as being the

1
sole language to recite Quran) and the
common history of Islam.

5
Design Principles
(A) Unity

Quran Hedith
Islamic
Philosophies
Languag
e History

Unifying Resources Cultural Interaction Islamic Architecture

Dr Hazem Abu-Orf 6
 Design Principles
(B) Functionality
 Example (1)- The Mosque:
 The simple plan of the mosque is
distinguished by its circulation
flow:
1) Clear gateways that lead from
the public context into the
mosque.
2) A semi public space, where a
courtyard or an arcade are
common solutions.
3
3) The main worshipping hall;
2 1
which is sometimes covered by
a dome.
Sulaimaniyya Mosque, Istanbul built on 1558 AD. The flow of spaces and the characterizing components are
identical in the common architecture of the mosque .

7
Design Principles
(C) Pursuit of Knowledge
 This process took place in two directions, either by 1) adapting the
previous techniques or 2) by employing their expertise and
workmanship.

 As abovementioned in section 2 (Functionality); the Muslims were

aware of the purposes of their buildings, thus they were not passive-
copiers to the works of others.

 A constant effort of modification took place to approach high quality

and to settle efficient professionalism. Additionally, reviewing the
contributions of other nations was uninterruptedly held without
sensitivity.

 Early Islamic Architecture in Syria and Iraq also show the influence of
previous styles and techniques.

8
Design Principles
(C) Pursuit of Knowledge

Salman Farsi, a Persian companion of Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tunis, built on

Prophet (PBUH) gave the idea of creating 670 AD was designed and built with the
trench as a defense strategy. influence of Roman Architecture.

9
Design Principles
(D) Creativity
 well-defined design programs for the first time in history in the early years of
Islam, such as the Dome of the Rock and the Umayyad Mosque of Damascus,
Lahore Fort, in addition to the Ruling Palaces of Kufa, Damascus and Medina.

 The spark of creativity was delivered to the later generations of architects, so

that no “Order” for design was ruling the profession anymore.

 Unlike most of the previous civilizations, the Muslims are free from any pre-
imposed models to judge their performance.

 Late Islamic states attempted to establish some order for there architectural
styles, such as the Ottoman Architect Sinan, which did not last and did not
spread.

 As a constant review for their products; they were closely watched by their
employers and by the scholars as well.

10
 Design Principles
(D) Creativity
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Palestine,
an innovative design with well
proportions and intricate decoration.
Lahore Fort, Lahore, Pakistan,
shows creating in designing of the
main gate to Fort
Lahore Fort, Lahore,
Pakistan, The Naulakha
Pavilion is a prominent
white marble personal
chamber with a
curvilinear roof, located
beside the Sheesh
Mahal Courtyard, in the
northern section of the
Lahore Fort.
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 Design Principles
(E) Professionalism
- Design Strategy (by Omer I, the caliph)
 Procedures: The design in the Muslim - Design program (by Saad, the ruler)
- Design Concept (by Abul-Hayyaj, the
practice followed a well-defined
principal designer)
procedure.
- Detailed design (by local architects)
 A great example is the design of kufa
city in the 638AD, which followed the
steps of:

 Regulations: Strict regulations ruled the practice of

architecture in the traditional Muslim practice.
 Some of these regulations were imposed by the state (such as
the width of roads and the neighbor rights.
 Other regulations were following non-written norms, such as
privacy and environmental issues.

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 Design Principles
(E) Professionalism
 Respect: how the traditions of each
state were established early in these
states and respected by younger
generations of architects.
 Examples of the Persian and Ottoman
styles are not unique in that sense. In
India, Morocco, Andalusia, the
Mamlouks any almost all other
examples the steadiness of the style
outlines appear.

Prophets’ mosque, Madinah, Saudi Arabia, was design

and constructed by employing non Muslim architect

Taj Mahal, Agra, India, an example of perfection and

professionalism.

13
 Design Principles
(F) Identity and Diversity
 Muslims lived within an active
interaction with external cultures,
which also influenced their Architectural
products into 1) diversity, supported by
the 2) freedom of creativity practiced by
Muslim architects.

 Consequently, the architectural

manifestations of those Muslim
communities shared certain directions,
which affected the design lines.

 A significant identity for the Islamic

Palace of Seville, Spain, which shows the influence of
Architecture was developed by the
Gothic Architecture, yet maintains the identity of Islamic
uninterrupted practice. which created Architecture
1) unique Architectural procedures, 2)
technologies and 3) archive for the
Muslim nations.

14
Design Principles
(G) Sustainability
Sustainability of a building refers to its ability to
comfort the building by using passive design
techniques without using fossil fuel energy
and to reduce negative impacts on the
environment by using locally harvested
materials.

Sustainability also refers to provide improved

indoor environment quality by using:
daylight and natural ventilation, Al Hambra Palace, Spain, a
master piece of early Islamic
Lastly, it also refers to sustain its structure Architecture, which was
over hundreds of years. Sustainable buildings designed on the concepts of
sustainability
are economical to built, operate and maintain.

15
 Design Principles
(G) Sustainability

The buildings of Islamic Architecture were designed as climate

responsive by using passive design techniques such as:

- Ventilative cooling Bin Yousef Madrassa, Morocco. An

example of climate responsive
- Radiative cooling, building, using radiative, ventilative
- Evaporative cooling, and evaporative cooling
- Mass effect cooling,
- Minimizing temperature variations by massive walls and
cladding façade cladding material.
- Solar heating.
Al Hambra Palace, Granada, Spain.
Passive Solar Heating, evaporative
and ventilative cooling was used by
using wide and low height
courtyards with high arches

16
 Design Principles
(G) Sustainability
environment friendly as they used:
Generalife, Spain, an example of
- Locally harvested materials integrated indoor and outdoor
spaces.
- Building interior spaces were responsive to out door
environment.
- Sustainable water sources were used for landscape and
bathing.

massive walls to:

Shalimar Bagh, Pakistan.
Sustainable water source (Canal
- Give structural stability originating from River Ravi) was
used for fountains and irrigation
- Provide insulation for the buildings to
keep the interiors cool in summer &
warm in winter.

Madrassa Tilla Kori, Samarkand. Built

with massive walls to give structural
stability and provide insulation 17
INTRODUCTION

CONTEMPORARY
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE
Introduction
 The professional mediums has not yet
established a set of standards to be
called “Contemporary Islamic
Architecture”.

 However, “Contemporary Islamic

Architecture” refers to the current
practice :with Islamic references or
serving Muslim functions or
communities.

19
(1)
CLASSIFICATION

CONTEMPORARY
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE
Classification
Lines of Practice
 Architectural practice in the Muslim World is divided into three lines:

 Universal Architecture:
no interest in incorporating any regional or traditional elements
or lines.

 Developed Islamic Architecture

Includes a certain amount of references to the Islamic
Architecture or to the local/regional heritage.

 Traditional Architecture:
The architectural output has an overwhelming reference to the
traditional/regional components.

21
Classification
Universal Style
 an extension to the
Saudi Economic Association,
common universal Saudi Arabia
practice, following the
lines of the day; such as
Modernism, Post-
Modernism, International
or the current Formic
styles.

 introduced in the post-

colonial period:
encouraged by the new
construction technology
and by the western
education.
22
Classification
Universal Style - Examples
 Zaha Hadid
 Abu Dhabi Performing Arts
Centre 2007- UAE
 King Abdullah II House of Culture
and Art 2008- Jordan

King Abdullah II House of Culture and Art, Jordan

Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre, UAE

23
Classification
Universal Style - Examples
 Fazlur - Rahman Khan (The Einstein of Structural Engineering)
 Sears Tower 1973 - Chicago - USA
 Hajj Terminal 1982 - Jeddah- KSA

Sears Tower, Chicago, USA Hajj Terminal, Jeddah, KSA 24

Classification
Universal Style - Examples
 SOM
Khalifa Tower 2004- Dubai- UAE

Burj Khaleefa (Burj Dubai), musical fountains, Dubai, UAE Burj Khaleefa (Burj Dubai), tallest building
of the world, Dubai, UAE 25
 Classification
Universal Style - Examples
 National Bank HQ
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Jeddah- KSA
1983

 a monumental building that holds both

the characters of modernity and
rationality according to its sensitive
location in the heart of the traditional
city of Jeddah.

NCB HQ – Jeddah
Showing the traditional context of
the city in the foreground

26
Classification
Universal Style - Examples
 Franco Audrito and SAK
 Yanbu Cement Co. Staff Housing-
KSA

Yanbu Cement Co. Staff Housing- KSA

27
Classification
Universal Style - Examples

 Franco Audrito and SAK

SAK Consultant Yanbu Cement
Co. Administration Building - KSA

Yanbu Cement Co. Administration Building- KSA

28
 Classification
Developed Islamic Style
 incorporating the traditional lines and elements within
the recent practice of architecture.

 a hybrid architecture

 the creativity within a background of keeping cultural

distinctiveness.

 accepting the modern construction technology and

regulations as effective factors, rather than the recent
artistic and architectural trends.
29
 Classification
Developed Islamic Style- Examples
Atlantis Hotel, Dubai, UAE

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 Classification
Developed Islamic Style- Examples
Four Seasons Hotel, Qatar

31
 Classification
Developed Islamic Style- Examples
Jabal Omar Project, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
T.R Hamzah & Yeang

32
 Classification
Developed Islamic Style- Examples
ElKhereiji Head Office– Jeddah
SAK Consultant

33
 Classification
Developed Islamic Style- Examples
Al Andalus School – Jeddah
SAK Consultant

34
 Classification
Developed Islamic Style- Examples
Al Andalus School – Jeddah
SAK Consultant

35
 Classification
Developed Islamic Style- Examples
Mosque– Jeddah .
SAK Consultant

36
 Classification
Developed Islamic Style- Examples
Remal Media
House

37
(3)
DIRECTIONS OF
APPLICATIONS

CONTEMPORARY
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE
Plan Layout

King Fahd Library Building, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 Plan Layout

Use of Lobby
-To provide a transition space for
users before entering into the main
building.

Use of Atrium

-To provide daylight and natural

ventilation in the surrounding corridors .

King Fahd Library Building, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 Plan Layout
Dar Al Zikr Al Hakeem School
 Plan Layout
Planning on Axis
- Circulation is directional and based on axis.

Use of Corridors
- Shaded corridors helps air to circulate
through them.

Courtyard Planning
- Naturally ventilated courtyards with daylight
provides a healthy space for the students.

Dar Al Zikr Al Hakeem School, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Plan Layout

Tahfeez Al Quran School, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 Plan Layout

Natural Ventilation
- Use of natural ventilation in the covered
playing areas and corridors.

Tahfeez Al Quran School, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 Plan Layout

Ministry of Justice Court Buildings, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

 Plan Layout

Use of Lobby
-To provide a transition space for users
before entering into the main building.

Use of Atrium
-To provide a daylight and natural
ventilation in the surrounding corridors.

Ministry of Justice Court Buildings, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

 Plan Layout

Development of Souk Al Shabi (Traditional Markets) in Saudi Arabia

 Plan Layout
Central Sitting Space
-To facilitate people to take rest and enjoy the
environment during shopping.

Floor Patterns
-Integrated geometrical floor patterns were
used to create visual interest.

Development of Souk Al Shabi (Traditional Markets) in Saudi

Arabia
Façade Design

49
 Façade Design
 Components and their articulation:
 The arch is one of the

commonly employed
components to resemble the
Islamic style.
 Wooden and steel screens are

widely employed to add Islamic

reference to the style.
 Gates, riwaqs (porticoes),

buttresses, engraves and stone

laying was employed as well.

Sultan Hassan Complex, Cairo, Egypt.

50
Façade Design
 regionally, such as the vault, several shapes of arches, the material
and the color of the façade.
 opening/mass rhythms, façade patterns, and proportions of elevations
and openings where a rich source for current practice.
 Form:

 the traditional Islamic compact urban fabric did not encourage much
to give priority to form design. However, the symbolic form of the
Mosque is frozen by its traditional components, such as the dome and
the minaret.

 traditional isolated buildings such as pavilions, mausoleums, palaces

and tall buildings where reference to the current practice.

51
Façade Design

Ministry of Petroleum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

 Façade Design
Use of Atriums

-To provide daylight

-To provide ventilation

-To create spaciousness

Ministry of Petroleum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

 Façade Design

G. Group Office Tower, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

 Façade Design

Emphasis on Entrance
- Entrances are emphasized to welcome
guests
- To add an element of unity in the facade

Use of Arches
- To provide shade for the pedestrians and to
facilitate natural ventilation
-To add aesthetic value to the building form

G. Group Office Tower, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Inspiration from Tilya Kori Madrassa, Samarkand,
Great Mosque Damascus
 Façade Design
Use of Geometric Screens
- To provide shade to the fenestration.

- To add aesthetic value to the façade.

King Fahd Library Building, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

 Façade Design

Aramco H.Q. Building, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

 Façade Design

Elaf Taiba Hotel in Madinah Munawarah, Saudi Arabia

 Façade Design

Marshrabiya
- To provide a transition space between indoor
and outdoor.

This helps to reduce the

temperature of the air entering into the
building.

Use of Arches in the

Corridors

- To provide shade for the pedestrians and to

facilitate natural ventilation.

Elaf Taiba Hotel in Madinah Munawarah, Saudi Arabia.

Inspiration from Cordoba Mosque and vernacular
mashrabiyas of Saudi Arabia
Façade Design

Elkhereiji Villa, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

 Façade Design

Water as an Essential
Landscape Element
-To create micro climate in dry seasons by increasing
humidity level and reducing dry bulb temperature.

Elkhereiji Villa, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Façade Design

Private Villa, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

 Façade Design

International Medical Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

 Façade Design

Recessed Panels in
Elevation
- To create shadows to improve insulation of the
walls and keep interiors cool.
- To break monotony of flat walls.

Use of Arches
-To create shadows, depth
and rhythm in elevation.

International Medical Center,

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Façade Design

Community Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

 Façade Design
Water as an Essential
Landscape Element
- To create micro climate in dry seasons by increasing
humidity level and reducing dry bulb temperature.

Mashrabiya
- To provide a transition space
between indoor and outdoor.
This helps to reduce the temperature
of the air entering into the building.

Community Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Decorative Elements

67
Manifestations
Decorative Elements- Examples

 King Saud Mosque - Jeddah

68
Manifestations
Decorative Elements- Examples

 Sheikh Zayed Mosque - Abu Dhabi

69
Manifestations
Decorative Elements- Examples

 International Medical Center - Jeddah

70
CONTEMPORARY
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Contents

 Adopting Architectural Elements

 Adopting Concepts of Sustainability

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 72
 Adopting Architectural Elements

using architectural
elements: mashrabiat,
mucarnasat, calligraphy,
geometrical patterns,
but in a global and
creative way.

Globalization is effecting people, culture, art and

architecture.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 73
 Adopting Architectural Elements
 Mashrabiyat & Screens

- a transition space for

the building to allow
hot air to cool down
- shade for the window.
- visual privacy.
Top: Elaf Taiba Hotel,
Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Left: King Fahad Library,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Right: Community Center,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 74
 Adopting Architectural Elements

 Mucarnasat

- Adding aesthetic
value to the interior
space

- Enhancing acoustics
of interior space Alhambra Palace, Garnada, Spain

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 75
 Adopting Architectural Elements
 Calligraphy

- Delivering messages to the

end users
- Creating interior designs
on walls and breaking the
monotony of walls

Right: Tahfeez Al Quran School, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Left: Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain
FUTURE DIRECTIONS 76
 Adopting Architectural Elements

 Geometrical Patterns

- Creating floor patterns

and guiding the people to
find their way.

- Creating interior designs

on walls and breaking the
monotony of walls

Examples of geometrical patterns used for flooring

and for wall decoration

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 77
 Adopting Architectural Elements
 Arches
- Creating interest and enhance
aesthetics.

- Adding depth to the building

façade

- Casting shadows and increasing

façade insulation

- Facilitating natural ventilation G. Group Office Tower, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 78
 Adopting Architectural Elements

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 79
 Adopting Architectural Elements

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 80
 Adopting Architectural Elements

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 81
 Adopting Architectural Elements

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 82
 Adopting Architectural Elements

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 83
 Adopting Architectural Elements

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 84
Adopting Architectural Elements

85
 Adopting Architectural Elements

 Domes

- Increasing volume of interior space

and facilitating natural ventilation to
take place.

- Enhancing acoustics of the interior

spaces.

- Enhancing visual appearance of

the building.

A private House,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 86
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Adapting Architectural Element of
Domes

87
Adapting Architectural Element of
Domes

88
Adapting Architectural Element of
Domes

89
Adapting Architectural Element of
Domes

90
Adapting Architectural Element of
Domes

91
 Adapting Concepts of Sustainability

 Passive Design Strategies

 Environment Friendly Buildings
Strategies
 Indoor Environment Quality
Strategies

92
 Adapting Concepts of Sustainability
Community Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Passive Design Strategies

Ventilative cooling,
Radiative cooling,
Evaporative cooling and
Earth Mass Effect Cooling
Minimizing Temperature Variations by using Insulation
Solar Heating

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 93
 Adapting Concepts of Sustainability

Environment Friendly Building Strategies

- Using locally harvested and manufactured

materials

-Reusing building instead of demolishing and

constructing new
buildings

G. Group Office Tower, Jeddah,

Saudi Arabia

FUTURE DIRECTIONS 94
 Adapting Concepts of Sustainability
Indoor Environment Quality Strategies

- Daylight penetration in the interior of the buildings

- Fresh air supply in the interior spaces

FUTURE DIRECTIONS Ministry of Petroleum Building, Riyadh, 95

Saudi Arabia
CONTEMPORARY
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

CONCLUSION
 Conclusion

A successful Architect in any place and time is

the Architect who can apply the following
equation successfully

Function + Beauty + Economy =

Successful Project

97
 Conclusion
The Relation Between Art & Architecture
successful in applying this relation:
Miss Van Der Rohe
Walter Gropius
Abdul Wahed Al Wakil
Abdul Aziz Kamel
98