Introduction of Islamic Architecture

• After the death of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) , the Islamic

religion was spreading rapidly all across the Middle East and the
world.
• Because of this, there was an increased demand for mosques and
spiritual gathering places.
• The construction of these designated places of worship marked the
beginning of the influential architectural creations of the Muslims.
• Islamic architecture is undeniably one of the most beautiful forms of
man-made symmetry and designs.
• The features of Islamic architecture, such as columns, piers, and
arches, were highly inspired by the early teachings of Islam and the
actions that Muslims make during prayers.
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Design Elements of Islamic Style

• Large courtyards often merged with a central prayer with minarets

or towers.
• A mihrab or niche on an inside wall indicating the direction to
Mecca.
• Domes as main attraction and symbolic.
• Use of iwans to intermediate between different sections.
• Use of geometric shapes and repetitive art (arabesque).
• Use of decorative Arabic calligraphy.
• Use of symmetry.
• Ablution fountains.
• Use of bright color.
• Focus on the interior space, rather than the exterior.

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Domes

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Minarets
• Architectural features of Islamic mosques.
• Tall, graceful spires, with onion-shaped crowns.
• Free standing or much taller than any surrounding support
structure.
• The main function: to provide a vantage point to call out prayer.

• Consists of:
Base - Usually the ground underneath the towering minarets is
excavated until a hard foundation is reached.
Shaft - Single minarets with in an elongated body .Stairs circle the
shaft in a counter clockwise fashion, providing a necessary
structural support for highly elongated shafts.
Gallery - A balcony encircles the upper section where the muezzin will
give the call to prayer. It is covered by a roof-like canopy and 5
adorned with ornamentation, such as decorative brick and tile
work, cornices, arches and inscriptions.
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Note types of Minarets

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Decorative patterns

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Persian Architecture

• Also known as Iranian

Architecture.
• The Islamic conquest of Persia in
the 7th century availed the
Muslims with the vast wealth of
architectural innovation
developed over the centuries.
• The Islamic architects first utilized
these native architects to build
mosques, and eventually
developed their own adaptations.
• Islamic architecture thus is
directly related to Persian and
Byzantine architecture. 9
• A great surge of building works together with unique decorations
and calligraphy appeared in these centuries.
• The mosque became the major building type in Iranian architecture.
• The established style of vaulted construction was continued;
common features were the pointed arch, the ogee arch, and the
dome on a circular drum.
• Construction of huge gates and massive domes was a common
practice in Sassanian architecture, which reappears in the mosques
and palaces of Islamic period.
• Persian architecture displays great variety, both structural and
aesthetic, developing gradually and coherently out of prior
traditions and experience.
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• Persian architecture is based on several fundamental characteristics.
These are:
i. Introversion
ii. Structure
iii. Homogeneous proportions
iv. Anthropomorphism
v. Symmetry and anti-symmetry
vi. Minimalism

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Pre-Islamic Architecture of Persia

• The pre-Islamic styles draw on 3000 to 4000 years of architectural

development from various civilizations of the Iranian plateau:
i. Elamites
ii. Achaemenids
iii. Paryjoams
iv. Sassanids

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Achaemenids
• Built on a grand scale.
• The artists and materials they used were brought in from practically
all territories of what was then the largest state in the world.
• its city was laid out in an extensive park with bridges, gardens,
colonnaded palaces and open column pavilions.

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The ruins of Persepolis, built 2500 years ago during the reign
of the Achaemenid Empire.
pl
1. Grand Stairway and Gate of All Nations
2. Processional Way of Army
3. Plaza of Army
3a. Throne Hall 3b. Gate of Army 3c. Hall
of Army
4. Apadana
5. Gate of Kings
6. Banquet Hall of Army
7. Banquet Gate
8. Hadish
9. Banquet Hall of Nations
10. Tachara
11. Residential Palace West
11a. Palace of the Queen
12. Residential Palace East
13. Royal Treasury
14. Terrace Wall
15. Tomb I
16. Tomb II
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Plan View
Apadana, Columns 16
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Gate of All Nations
Islamic Architecture of Persia Timeline

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Khorasani Style (7th-10th Century)

• Iran's pre-Islamic architecture, in view of the surviving works is

evident in many structures.
• Tendency toward high ceilings and numerous pillars and carvings on
stone walls are among the features of ancient Iranian architecture.
• "Four Gardens" and square-shaped structures are also among other
characteristics of this architecture.
• In the Khorasani style, building luxurious and huge structures came
to an end and rather more simple constructions were emerged.

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Fahraj Jame Mosque

• Fahraj Jame Mosque is located near the city of Yazd which is the
oldest mosque in Iran.
• This place has been a mosque in the past which had been built in
the first years of the arrival of Islam in Iran.
• This is because, the existence of the Mihrab or prayer niche and its
internal simplicity and by observing the direction of Qiblah.
• Fahraj Jame Mosque is simple and beautiful work with big bricks the
façade of which had been built from mud.
• This mosque is enlisted in Iran’s List of National Heritage.

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The oldest mosque in Iran, Fahraj village
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Fahraj Village
• The mosque primarily consists of
an internal courtyard, vaulted
sanctuary and arcades, and a clay
minaret.
• It is largely built of sun-dried,
unfired clay tiles and mud bricks.
• The internal facades are near
symmetrical and consist of three Court Yard
arched bays defined by thick
piers, partly relieved by vertical
niches.

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Plan
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Prayer hall (Shabestan)

Structure of South Shabestan

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Fahraj Mosque’s rostrum

Wall decorating like a Sasani door

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1- Form of the North Soffe´s roof
2- A model for making domes 30
Details of South Shabestan

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The Persian Gardens

• The tradition and style in the design of Persian Gardens, known

as Iranian gardens in has influenced the design of gardens from
Andalusia to India and beyond.
• The Humayun’s Tomb and Taj Mahal is one of the largest Persian
Garden interpretations in the world, from the era of the Mughal
Empire in India.
• The garden's purpose was, and is, to provide a place for protected
relaxation in a variety of manners: spiritual, and leisurely (such as
meetings with friends), essentially a paradise on earth.

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A schematic diagram of a Persian garden. Note the
quadripartite structure with focal water feature,
connecting aqueducts, and surrounding trees, as well
as the placement of the palace 33
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Chehel Sotoun’s garden
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Shazdeh Garden is one of the largest gardens of Kerman

Province.
• Sunlight and its effects were an important factor of structural design
in Persian gardens.
• Textures and shapes were specifically chosen by architects to
harness the light.
• Iran’s dry heat makes shade important in gardens, which would be
nearly unusable without it. Trees and trellises largely feature as
biotic shade; pavilions and walls are also structurally prominent in
blocking the sun.
• The heat also makes water important, both in the design and
maintenance of the garden.
• The Persian style often attempts to integrate indoors with outdoors
through the connection of a surrounding garden with an inner
courtyard. Designers often place architectural elements such as
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vaulted arches between the outer and interior areas to open up the
divide between them.
Elements of the Persian garden, such as the shade, the jub,
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and the courtyard style hayāt in a public garden in Shiraz.
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View of the garden at the Taj Mahal, Agra, India.
The Wonders Of Islamic Architecture

• Mosques in Iran are known for having some of the most exquisite
architectural designs found throughout the whole world.
• In order to be considered a mosque, it must be a place where
Muslim gather for public worship.
• Mosques are generally adorned with elaborate architecture and
colorful designs. Muslim mosques also contain at least one minaret,
which is a tall and slender balcony that is used to call all faithful to
prayer.
• Although similar in many ways, each mosque also contains its
defining differences.

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The Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque is also
known as the Pink Mosque. This
traditional mosque is located in
Shiraz, Iran.
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Grand Mosque of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

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Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran