227 Hayam Salama

Light as a central component in the aesthetics of Islamic architecture And its

impact on the creation of contemporary design formulations

Dr. Hayam Mahdy Salama

Assistant Professor - Faculty of Education - Helwan University

Abstract: Keywords:
Light is the visual perception of the world, since the start of human civilizations Light concept
light plays a basic role in formation and understanding architecture and interior Islamic philosophy
spaces especially in holy architecture as it had a symbolic role connected directly to Day light
religious beliefs, because of this light and architecture interacted since the Islamic architecture
beginning of history, our perception for this interaction differs according to light Residential architecture
concept from one culture to another, and in Islamic culture light reflects the concept Mosque architecture
of God’s guidance light so light plays an important role in Islamic architecture as Psychological effects
we can describe light as ethereal building material in Islamic architecture as we find Spiritual effects
that architectural structures compose spaces and light gives these spaces life sense, Aesthetic effects
as we find that architecture, lines, decoration and colors has no meaning and can’t
be recognized without light, so generally Islamic architecture is luminous
architecture as light plays a basic role in making functional, aesthetic and
psychological effects more strong in architectural spaces, Mosques was the more
generous architectural spaces in using light as they are related directly to God so
light supports the feeling with sacred attributes in this space and gives the people
inside a strong feeling with the presence of God. So this research paper comes to
answer this question : How can we take a benefit of the concept of light and its
aesthetics in Islamic architecture in contemporary interior designs in which light
forms a basic component? By studying the importance of light and its concept in
Islamic Philosophy and the psychological, spiritual, aesthetic and functional effects
in house and mosque architecture with the purpose of extracting the principles that
forms the aesthetics of Islamic architecture using light to help in the formation of
valuable contemporary designs. And this research depends on descriptive and
analytical Methodology in the theoretical Study and the applied approach in the
practical study .results of the research shows that light is one of the most important
components of Islamic architecture which had been used in different ways to
convert architecture and architectural spaces to human architecture full of
interaction between these spaces and their users with supporting their aesthetic,
functional and spiritual values and converting static building blocks to dynamic
human environment full of life donated from light with its intensity, contrast and
movement characteristics.
Paper received 25th October 2018, Accepted 19th November 2018, Published 1st of January 2019
walls have no many holes which decrease light in
Introduction: it, and they were using candles in lighting that it
Since architecture had been arisen in ancient was giving dim light which inspires dread and
civilization, Light was playing an important role in curtsy, and it was used in front of saints as a signal
confirming symbolic meanings in internal that they were the world' light. As for Islamic
architectural holes especially holy religious ones. civilization, light played important role in Islamic
And although Gleam has the same meaning in all architecture that it reflects the concept of the
faiths and religious cultures, the way to express it divine light, Allah is the light of heavens and
is different from culture to another and from earth, so we find Islamic architecture is
civilization to another, such in the Egyptian characterized by fully bright light especially in
temples, light integrated in parallel with the layout Mosque buildings which was recorded as the best
temple integration that it is fully light in the use of natural light, as light is related to Allah and
temple first hole, then it gradually decreased darkness reflects concepts of Polytheism and
inside the hall pole, then it completely disappeared iniquity.
except from a small aperture in Holy of Holies' From here, the important role of light become
roof only illuminating the statue of God to create obvious in Islamic architecture and it was
a state of dread and curtsy corresponding with embodied as in the buildings of houses as private
greatness of God. As for church buildings, outer

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Light as a central component in the aesthetics of Islamic architecture And its impact on the creation of 228
contemporary design formulations

residential whole or in mosques as general light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum
religious hole and this will be discussed and which human eyes is more sensitive to it that
studied and the role of light in it through its visible light is absorbed and released by electrons
function or its various impacts on Islamic in molecules and atoms moving from an energy
architectural holes which enriched it distinctive level to another and this allows the chemical
personality and unique aesthetics. mechanism that causes human vision.
Natural Light:
The Study Problem: It is the light that comes from natural sources and
How to benefit from the concept and aesthetics of the most important one of them is the sun which
light in Islamic architecture at internal designs in coming light varies and changes according to
which light has a significant value? difference in time, location, and distance from the
The Study Aim: equator and this diversity makes continued change
1- Drawing values and principles that created the in visuals and causes achieving visual diversity
Islamic architectural aesthetics within light. inside space which helps to preserve the vitality of
2- Taking advantage of light aesthetics in man unlike artificial light.
contemporary Islamic architectural design. Artificial Light:
Artificial light sources vary from light bulbs of
Methodology: different intensity and color and artificial light is
The study is based on descriptive and analytical used to provide sufficient lighting inside the hole
approaches in theoretical and applied studies in at night or when natural light is not sufficient, and
practical study. there are agreed equations and controls when
Theoretical framework: designing any place lighting, and the calculation
Nature of light: of lighting depends on radiation laws that control
the spread of light and enable measurement of its
intensity, density and reflection2 .
Light and Space Realization:
Human's perception of light works by mixing the
nature of physical light which is the physical side
of light with its moral side which is directly
related to the human future. Thus, it varies and
changes according to the subjective experience of
humanity. The first processes of perception begin
with the physical nature of light and the process of
vision beginning with shape sensation within the
eyes, followed by sensory perception in which
things are interpreted to gain their specific
meanings, followed by the process of cognition
where more complex interpretations occur from
the previous one1. As for the moral aspect, the
awareness exceeds the limits of the utilitarian and
functional side and this gives a meaning, reflect a
symbol and providing beauty. Therefore, light
clearly and effectively affects the way we perceive
the internal spaces either through its physical
properties like reflection, dispersion and refraction
or through its intensity and color and the resulting
features like brightness, contrast and shadows
which can affect our hole realization that we
cannot see and realize objects and colors without
Figure 1 visible light between(750: 400 nm
light or the hole without light effects which gives
Light is considered a form of energy moving in
each space its features and characteristics
space from all directions in the form of
according to the good use for light and employing
electromagnetic waves which lengths for visible
it according to the place nature and its occupants
light are ranging between 750 nm for red light and
to create a cognitive state for the viewer that not
400 nm for purple light (fig.1) ranging other
only enhances vision but also creates a state of
different spectrum between them. Thus, visible

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 229 Hayam Salama

comfort and enhances the aesthetic potential of internal hole (fig.2).

Figure 2: light clearly and effectively affects the way we perceive the internal spaces
The importance of light in Islamic architecture: Creator "God the light of the heavens and the
Architecture is the perfect game of visible blocks earth", and thus light had been given an added
under the light (Le Corbusier) value on its first importance which is sanctity of
The light and architecture complement each other its connection to God. Light in Islamic
that natural light features give architectural holes a architecture reflects Muslim's culture and clarifies
meaning and each color, shape and texture become the thought on which this architecture based, also
with visual value we realized. Light is considered it emphasizes the architectural details and the
one of the most important factors that select the existence of decorations and it reflects the
hole that we can resemble the relation between architecture's aesthetics, so describing and
light and architecture with the relation between analyzing the Islamic architectural role of light is a
spirit and body; if body is the visual material, main factor to understand and indicate the
spirit is what gives him life. Also architecture is importance of light in Islamic architecture and to
the visible physical entity and light is the spirit indicate the relation in which light becomes as a
that gives life to this entity. In Islamic architecture central determinant reflecting the concept of a
in particular, the relationship becomes more strong Muslim within his architecture.
and coherent where the light was connected to the

Figure 3: wind tower in Zainab Khatoon house(right) and malqaf in Soliman Agha mosque(left)

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Light as a central component in the aesthetics of Islamic architecture And its impact on the creation of 230
contemporary design formulations

Role of light in Islamic architecture: requirement to respond the needs of life activities
Utilitarian and Functional Role: in house, movements of prayer, reading Quran,
The main function of light in architecture is and the imam's vision of all ranks of worshipers
illuminating and to exploit light well to illuminate in the mosque. Also Muslim architect sought to
the place with sufficient light adequate for the benefit from daylight promoting it by artificial
nature and activity of architectural space. In house light configurations to provide the comfortable
and mosque architecture, providing sufficient lighting level at night or in the case of natural light
lighting becomes an indispensable essential weakness.

Figure 4: Dome windows distribute light well (photographed by researcher)

Daylight Sources: more, opening windows that become the main
A- The Ceiling: The Wind Tower and malqaf source of light and a good dispenser for daylight in
were the source of the ceiling light in houses that it (fig. 4) ; that getting light from high level
they were helping in moving light into the lower enables the standardized light distribution which is
parts of the building (in addition to its functional one of the most important requirements in prayer
importance in wetting the internal space hall that ways of worship in it like praying and
temperature) (fig. 3). As for mosques, the dom reading Quran take place at any part of the
was the source of the ceiling daylight, and the mosque.
prayer hall may be recovered with one dome or

Figure 5 : Walls was the main source of lighting in houses

B- Walls: Walls was the main source of lighting for the internal space (fig.5). Also the internal
in houses especially the walls overlooking the courtyard itself was having great importance in
internal courtyards that it represents a major adjusting and organizing the light directing to
importance in lighting where windows are opened houses and mosques through the radiation
in large areas that may reach the entire width of refraction on the surrounding walls and the
the wall and that what creates the sufficient light presence of plants in it reduces the rates of

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 231 Hayam Salama

reflected radiation on walls (fig.6).

Figure 6: presence of plants reduce rates of reflections in the courtyards

As for mosques, walls presents the second source
to provide daylight through openings of windows
either fixed ones or the moving extended ones
along the mosque's wall (fig.7) except the
direction of Mecca's wall which frequently has no
windows for two reasons, the first is to provide
more vision to avoid stress on worshipers' eyes
from glare rays in case of opening windows in the
direction of Mecca's wall in front of them, because
Eyes is adjusting with the intensity of lighting and
the extreme contrast in lighting between windows
and the surrounding internal area make it difficult
for eyes to adjust with it and thus it becomes a
continued stress on the prayers' eyes. And the
second reason is to avoid distraction of the
prayers' attention with external views ( fig.8) .
Figure 7: windows of Ibn Tolon mosque And for the last reason, we notice that the window
openings at most mosques are high because the
main function of windows here is lighting and
followed by ventilation. And as for dialing out, it
is not required in mosques, but the visual
separation of the inside from the outside is the one
required to enhance the prayers attention by
separating them from the external physical world
and to help providing spiritual aspects. The
Windows give a useful lighting level to a depth
equal one and half times of the window's height
Figure 8: windows rarely exists in qibla wall, and the utilization of a square meter of glass
mosque of aq-sunqur( mihrab and qibla wall) increases by a height of 1.3 to 3 meters3 to spread
light into deeper spaces inside mosques. The
windows are often processed to reduce glow and
reducing the rate of contrast either by using
colored glass or by covering the hole with gypsum
nets or wood or stone and thus, the desired value
can functionally be achieved (fig.9) .
C- Artificial Light: Artificial lighting is used as a
comprehensive one to achieve sufficient light to
perform activities inside houses to practice various
life activities and inside mosques to practicing
different activities like praying or reading Quran
or a good visual follow-up to the imam or the
teacher and this is in times of natural lighting
weakness or its vanishing like in night times.
There are three types of artificial lighting:
Figure 9: Ibn Tolon mosque Public Lighting: It is the pervasive lighting which

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Light as a central component in the aesthetics of Islamic architecture And its impact on the creation of 232
contemporary design formulations

provides sufficient light to perform different daytime sky light (fig.10 ).

activities easily and it exists as ceiling to achieve
better light distribution as an alternative the

Figure 10: public lighting for better light distribution , mosque of Prophet Mohammad
(photographed by researcher)
Comprehensive Lighting: It may exist on vertical and covering the floor of mosques with carpets, in
surfaces either on walls or on pillar to equal the addition to its use in prayers' seating. It also helps
emitted glare value from the directed public light to reduce brightness and reflection rates of floors
by providing lighting areas around it making especially if they are marble which is
lighting homogeneity which reduces the sense of characterized by its extreme glitter causing high
the uncomfortable glow (fig.11). It is also used for brightness in the case of high light. And this is
aesthetic purpose in confirming Quran decorations what we notice in the floors of the The Meccan
and verses decorating internal walls (fig.12) . One Sanctuary which are made from white marble that
of the affecting factors on internal lighting is the in peak times and high sun rays, its high
color selection of materials that glitter materials brightness causes sun rays directed uncomforting
reflect lighting on eyes which causes visual reflection on the eyes that may cause temporary
discomfort if materials are not selected accurately loss of vision.

Figure 11: comprehensive lighting to equal the emitted glare value , mosque of Prophet Mohammad
(photographed by researcher)

Figure 12: The aesthetic effects of lighting , mosque of Prophet Mohammad (photographed by
researcher

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 233 Hayam Salama

Also the color is important that it selects fixed lighting gradient that light is reflected on its
reflections inside the architectural hole and Light surface equaling the contrast rate which may exists
colors have a higher level of reflection than dark because the lighting source is generally far from
colors, so we notice the tendency to use light the mosques part's (fig.13)
colors to reflect the lighting and help to make

.
Figure 13: Light colors confer the space better light, Al-Aqmar mosque ( right), Amr Ibn Elaas (left)
Architectural work is not more than holes formed Quran a guiding light by the verse 52 Shura
by shadow and light changing tangibles by its "indicating the importance of light in Islamic
physical nature. Islam considered light the essence thought. Thus, the light in the architecture of
of things which makes the Muslim architect Muslims and the mosque in particular was of great
applying it with all his works. In Islamic importance that may reach the level of
architecture, we especially find mosques focused sanctification. Also we cannot find a dark mosque
on light by using various images and this if light symbolizes the light of God. Darkness
symbolizes the divine essence that if the universe symbolizes infidelity that God has set an example
vision shows us the existence of God (fig.14), the to refer to infidelity "and out of darkness to light
vision of things will show us the presence of light. with his permission". Darkness refers to infidelity
Also the attribute of illumination in light is the and light refers to guidance and faith. And
attribute of Allah "the absolute light is Allah" injustice in the Muslim's doctrine is of darkness.
Allah the light of the heavens and the earth light Thus, light was always associated with the sacred
like as a lampshade", "Light on Light will God higher values of the Muslim faith. God is light,
guide His light whom He wills" (verse 35). As for faith is light, the Prophet is "Sirajan Muniran" and
The Prophet, he was described "Sirajan Muniran" the Quran is a glorious book.
" shining lamp" verse 46 parties. And God made

Figure 14: using light to symbolize the Qiblah, Sancaklar Mosque,Turky (right) & Baitur Rauf
Jame Mosque (left)
But Darkness was associated with infidelity, governing element in Islamic architecture
injustice and fire which makes light a central especially in the mosque's building (fig.15) .

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Light as a central component in the aesthetics of Islamic architecture And its impact on the creation of 234
contemporary design formulations

Figure 15: Mosques are abundant in light, mosque of Prophet Mohammad (right), asultan Hassan
mosque (Top left), alsultan Barqouq (down left)
Despite the lack of external holes in houses, the which is a great solution for good distribution of
internal ones are very well lighted, because the lighting and preventing the directed vertical sun
wall holes overlooking the internal courtyard and rays from permeation of internal spaces by the
which may sometimes reach the width of the round wood cutting forming the compartment's
whole wall, they are covered with compartments parts (fig.16 ).

Figure 16: mashrabiya was a good solution in Islamic houses for preventing direct sun rays through
it’s wood cutting
Light Symbolism: light increases as it is a place formed by the
The house in Islamic architecture is characterized association of the relative lighting (light)with the
by lighting, it is well lighted that light penetrates absolute light (God) selecting its features from its
all its parts and there are no dark hole inside it or it birth of internal space in the lamp containing light.
is not illuminated by the light of heaven which is Mihrab is one of the most important elements of
Allah's light. In the mosque, the importance of the mosque because it is the directed element

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 235 Hayam Salama

towards the Kabaa, so it is the source of light at the symbolic level (fig.17) .

Figure 17 : Mihrab is Symbolized with light , from right to left : Baitur Rauf Jame,qatar mosque ,
Assyafaah Mosque
And we note that the light that is reflected on the the most important aspects according to the
courtyard of the building of the house and the Muslim architect and light had played its effective
mosque is a functional and symbolic element of role in it and the importance of this role can be
great meanings, so the Muslim architect exploited analyzed in three ways:
it in his art work to reach his goal14, As for the § Internal Courtyard:
source of lighting (light) in the mosques, it is the The opened courtyard represents the reflection
existing window openings above walls and under of the Muslim's association with heaven and the
the dome which is one of the governing elements divine light that we find the opened courtyard in
designing mosques because of the associated the heart of the mosque building as the light in
symbols with the religious faith. The association the Muslim heart (fig.19) . The courtyard plays
of light with heaven and earth has its relative an important role in the spiritualization of the
relation in the height of these openings above the internal spaces of the mosque that the courtyard's
human level14, and in addition to its functional association with the heaven makes it as the
role, the dome represents the heaven and the light greatest passage for the light of God into the
Interspersed into it equally illuminates the pillars mosque within the exposed directed lighting
of the mosque as is the light of God (fig.18). from the courtyard.The mosque seems to have
been carried out to the sky adding a kind of
unparalleled psychological comfort to the
internal space (fig.20 ).

Figure18: dome of Barquq mosque

Spiritual Impact of Light:
Spiritual impact of light especially appears in
mosque's buildings, they are the houses of God in Figure 19: courtyard of Braquq mosque
the earth and creating spiritual holes was one of

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Light as a central component in the aesthetics of Islamic architecture And its impact on the creation of 236
contemporary design formulations

• Window openings above the walls: patterns of equally and well distribution of light
It allows the sunlight to enter the nearby internal inside the space during the day. And its height
spaces directly falling on the walls and different allows unified distribution of light and here the
materials inside the architectural space and then it dome becomes a symbol of the heaven (fig.22) ,
dissolve its rigid nature into the light inspiring the also the sun equally spreads its light to all the
spirit in it within the energy of the inspired light, people of earth and the light entering from the
The light has this important value in reducing the dome's openings spreads its light all over the
material's rigidity and cooler buildings making mosque for all the prayers, and the unified light
changes in sense of a space's existence creating a and not having dark places or strong shadows
spiritual scene inside the architectural spaces that vanishing the place or the objectives creates a
helps to separate from the physical and internal feeling of safety and peace. In addition, the sense
world and only connecting with Allah within the of natural light during daylight helps to achieve
sense of divine presence at the place (fig.21) . spiritual communication between the prayers and
• The Dome openings : God and the intensity, strength and color of light
The dome is one of the architectural forms refers change with the changing of the daytime promote
to the extension of internal spaces and its the spiritual values inside the place.
connection with the sky, its openings are perfect

Figure 21: light creates a spiritual scene inside mosque spaces.

Figure 22: dome becomes a symbol of the heaven, Figure 23: light and shadow in Bayt al-
(shah emam mosque) Kiritliya (Gayer-Anderson Museum)
§ The aesthetic effects of light: weakness, sunset and the end and this sense is
The light helps to enhance the aesthetic values of followed by the architectural hole itself during the
Islamic architecture clearly and effectively. It adds daylight to sunset, until the light bulbs come on to
a dimension to the architecture and without it, the become an alternative to it and their places and
architectural holes become deaf and lifeless ones. arrangements are designed to give the hole the
The vision and sense of architecture varies same values presented by natural light as much as
throughout the day as it represents the human life possible.
from the beginning, strength and the first light to In houses, compartments present a perfect model

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 237 Hayam Salama

for the aesthetic effects of light within the holes of

the house through the cutting wood forms which
allow the light to pass back inside and paint art
paintings through the formed shadows moving
inside the hole with the light direction changing
during the daylight hours (fig.23). The Muslim
architect presented different aesthetic solutions for
lighting in the houses, in addition to "shamsiya"
like "qamariya" "MOONS" which is rounded
holes used in Bath ceilings to illuminate the
internal space and achieve privacy. Calling it as
relative to the moon refers to the light that
permeates it is dim and at the same time, the glass
that had been colored with it grants the place great
aesthetic effects resulted from colors that the light Figure 25: bright light from shamsiya opening (
grants to the space because of the glass color Ibn Tolon mosque)
which gives a kind of comfort helps to relax And in the mosque's architecture, one of the most
achieving the desired purpose of this internal significant openings which is granted many
space (fig.24 ). aesthetic effects inside the space is "shamsiyat"
"sunshades", it is made of marble, stone, plaster
with geometric, vegetative and written motifs and
its name is related to the "shams" "sun" that the
light Interspersed into it is strong as bright as the
sun on the earth (fig.25) and some of them are
covered with colored glass which helps in passing
the daylight within it in producing specific visual
expressions on walls and floors seem as it is
paintings and colored graffiti moving in the
direction of the sun and this creates dramatic
atmospheres that increase the internal aesthetics of
the space and promote spiritual values inside the
place (fig.26). And "qamariyat" "MOONS" exists
above doors, windows or on walls at interfaces
and it gives a dim light unlike the one emitted
from sunshades which fill gaps with colored glass
Figure 24: light grants the place great aesthetic
or leaving it empty14 (fig.27).
effects,( Al- ashraf Bersbay restroom)

Figure 26: light creates dramatic Figure 27: soft light from qamariya in Cordoba
atmospheres in nasir ul mulk mosque Mosque

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Light as a central component in the aesthetics of Islamic architecture And its impact on the creation of 238
contemporary design formulations

The external architectural configuration shows the produces sharp variations and specific lines, so it
effect of light on it because of the large differences is more influential on external architecture for
created by the light and shade on the surfaces of mosques, focusing on the Islamic architectural
architecture, which are characterized by dynamic aesthetics appearance, visual bedazzling, and
in their lines, which are highlighted by the light confirming structural and decorative details of
and highlights them in concrete, the stone touch architecture (fig.29 ). And as for the internal one,
different and carved surfaces and the splendor of the architect had avoided contrasts and gradually
marble all show beauty only by the fall of light on presented the light to create equated lighted
them The Muslim architect benefited from this spaces.
characteristic in emphasizing the elements, shapes
and decorations that he wants to highlight and see
this clearly at the entrance to the Sultan Hassan
mosque (fig.28 ).

Figure 29: light confirms decorative details of

architecture

And as for artificial lighting, it was used to help in

high aesthetics of decorations, architectural forms
and elements, the dome and emphasizing
decorative details in the internal space especially
Quran verses, Majesty's name, and the Prophet's
and Companions' name by focusing on them
within the light (fig.30) .
Figure 28: Light confirms the interface
configurations (asultan Hasan mosque)
The high brightness of light during the day

Figure 30 : Using light to emphasize the decorative elements

From the previous theoretical study, we find that of the light's fall and intensity during daylight
Islamic architecture has employed light inside and hours gives the architectural blocks and significant
outside to serve its presenting ideas, and it has decorations dynamism appearing on the surfaces
benefited from the natural features of the light like of the architectural facades, and this helps to
brightness which emphasizes forms and elements, distinguish the Islamic architecture with Dynamic
the contrast created by the resulting Shadows of fonts which forms the Islamic architectural
architectural formations and impressions attracts interfaces. And as for the inside, using the light
attention and helps to confirm the scene, the nature has achieved its functional, spiritual, symbolic and
of the dynamic daylight resulted from the angles aesthetic purposes, and also it merges inside it and

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 239 Hayam Salama

interacts with it which gives it its own beauty as if may be happened as a result of the wide window
it was alive. size, she used glazed glass which provides the
Practical Study: light and prevent the sun rays from reaching the
The applied study aims to benefit from the effects internal hole, especially as it faces the east and the
of light in Islamic architectural in the sun rays was one of the design's problems (fig.31).
contemporary internal design to create aesthetic And by this processing, the researcher provides an
and comfort internal residential holes associating equal light level inside the hole and decreases the
with our local roots. In research applications, the Non comfort light intensity rates achieving visual
researcher had employed the natural and artificial comfort inside the architectural space.
light on basis of design serving the internal holes 2- Sub-dim lighting: It is used by corridors and it
according to its nature and the required activities. is represented as in ceiling units of wrought
Lighting in applications is divided into: copper and wood units. Both of them depend on
1- General Lighting: It provides the sufficient the use of shadows and formations resulting from
lighting level for a clear vision inside the the passing the light rays within extras of the
residential hole to do different activities (to lighting units. And we can realize the interaction
achieve the functional aspect) through ceiling between the light and the internal hole within the
units providing the required intensity of lighting . formation that the light gives to the hole changing
And as for the daylight, the researcher employed it its characteristics in case of using the light
to provide Homogeneous lighting by using (fig.32).
internal large hole to provide the general sufficient
lighting for the place. And to reduce the glow that

Figure 31 : Achieving visual comfort by providing adequate general lighting within the space

Figure 32: using dim lights in the corridors gives them aesthetic effects and achieves the interaction
between light and space
3- Dynamic Lighting: It is achieved within the color changes during the daylight that it changes
use of Geometric decorations in the fillings of the from the lighting white color within the midday
cutting wooden door covered with usual glass to hours to warm yellowish white color in the last
allow the daylight rays passing within it. And with time from day to sunset (fig.33). This movement
changing the direction and intensity of rays during of the decorative scene on the surface of the wall
the daylight hours, geometric decorations have gives the internal hole a great dynamism and adds
been painted within its falling on the wall surface the temporal dimension that adds life away from
with different rates, directions and spaces the monotony of fixed objects in place.
according to the angles of sunlight, also the light

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Light as a central component in the aesthetics of Islamic architecture And its impact on the creation of 240
contemporary design formulations

Figure 33: Creating dynamic effects within the space by using geometric patterns in window’s
design to allow the light to pass through the space, changing its intensity and color during daylight
hours
4-Concentrated lighting: It comes through two contrast creates a photographic area only focused
wrought copper appliques hanging on the wall on flowers. Also the round design of the lighting
hollowed out with a sofa with natural flowers unit made the lines of light above the ground in
bouquet on its sides giving it the spirit of nature the shape of the circle, as if they were embracing
and joyful colors inside the place, and it was the the flowers selecting them a specific hole by
attraction point in the design which the researcher separating its hole surrounded light and shadow
wants to confirm and underline that she used the (fig.34). As for the gradual lighting with light
light of applique to confirm it and create an shadow which is spreading through the holes, it
attraction point in the design, and the lighting unit paints an art painting with light and shadow on the
was designed from wrought copper with plant wall and the ground adding great aesthetic
decorations at a height of one and a half meters values to the internal space that can be strongly
from the ground to the source of light directly realized when seeing the same space
directed above the plant formation, and this strong without the effect of this light (fig.35).

Figure 34: Using light and shadow to create dramatic and aesthetic effects and emphasize the
attraction element within the space

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 241 Hayam Salama

Figure35a: gradual lighting adds great aesthetic values to the internal space that can be strongly
realized when seeing the same space without the effect of this light

Figure 35b: Effect of light and shade on the perception of the space (gradual shadows) (no shades -
light shades - medium shades - strong shades)
Conclusion: Recommendations:
1- Internal spaces have no meaning without the 1- Taking advantage of the role played by light in
presence of light, and because the main source Islamic architecture in the design of lighting for
of light is the sun,so the Islamic architecture contemporary residential spaces and the
has benefited from its light and it very well exploitation of natural light and good utilize
embodied it in housings and mosques. Mosques light within it.
were the most successful architectural holes in 2- Inspiring the aesthetics of light and its symbolic
the use of light and the most wonderful in and spiritual impacts in contemporary designs
embodying it in a form adding the required of the mosque building does not depend on the
tranquility and spirituality. It was even traditional form of Islamic architecture, but on
described as the "Houses of Light". And in the concepts and aesthetics presented by the
modern Islamic architecture, artificial light was light in that architecture and re-presenting it in
used to provide spiritual, functional and a contemporary manner depends on the idea
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