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
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 Mohameds house
A courtyard and covered area for prayer
All mosques were axial and oriented towards Mecca
Mecca is Islams 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
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
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
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
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
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
Round
Octagonal
Multilobed
Star-shaped


References
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