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Lecture 4a (Islamic Architecture).

The document provides an overview of Islamic architecture, highlighting its influence on Western civilization from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. It discusses the integration of diverse cultures under Islam and the evolution of a distinctive architectural style characterized by elements such as courtyards, minarets, and domes. Notable examples of Islamic architecture, including the Dome on the Rock, Taj Mahal, and Mosque of Cordoba, are mentioned as masterpieces that showcase intricate design and structural technology.

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2 views25 pages

Lecture 4a (Islamic Architecture).

The document provides an overview of Islamic architecture, highlighting its influence on Western civilization from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. It discusses the integration of diverse cultures under Islam and the evolution of a distinctive architectural style characterized by elements such as courtyards, minarets, and domes. Notable examples of Islamic architecture, including the Dome on the Rock, Taj Mahal, and Mosque of Cordoba, are mentioned as masterpieces that showcase intricate design and structural technology.

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faizan1988
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An introduction to

Islamic Architecture
 As the European civilization grew and reached
the Middle Ages (400-1500), there was hardly
a field of learning or form of art, be it science,
literature or architecture, where there was
not some influence of Islamic culture present.

 Islamic learning became in this way part and


parcel of Western civilization well into the
advent of the Renaissance (Revival of
European art) (where exchanges continued to
be based on mutual intellectual respect
despite historic differences), and on to the
modern era.
 This presentation provides a short
account of the features that
characterize what is referred to as
Islamic architecture, and recalls
some of the threads and common
elements that bind it to historic and
contemporary western architecture.
 Islamic
Culture:
Diversity in
Unity
 Islamic culture reached out and
intermingled with large numbers
of varied and distant people. In
the course of 12 centuries, the
cultures of Central Asia, the
Indian subcontinent and South
East Asia were added to the
Islam’s original areas of influence
in the Middle East, North
Africa, Persia and Turkey.
 The uniting of so many diverse cultures
under one religion had the effect of
integrating and disseminating the latest
and best discoveries to all parts of the
realm.

 Paper making from China, numerals from


India, classical Greek science and
philosophy translations, Byzantine and
Coptic traditions were all shared. In
medicine the Muslims enhanced Greek
theory by practical observation and
clinical experience.
 One of the major achievements of the
Islamic civilization is its architecture.

 Its great masterpieces (from the Dome


on the Rock in Jerusalem, the Taj Mahal
in India to the Mosque of Cordoba in
Spain) unite intricate spatial
relationships, artistic illustration,
remarkable structural technology and
sensitive environmental harmony into
magnificent displays.
Dome on the
Rock, Jerusalem
Taj Mahal, India
Mosque of Cordoba

Mosque of Cordoba, Spain


Islamic Architectural Style
 Over the years, Islamic
architecture evolved from the
first mosque built by the Prophet
Muhammad in Medina, and from
other pre-Islamic features
adapted from churches, temples
and synagogues (Jewish
assembly) into a highly refined
and distinctive style.
 The fundamental vocabulary of Islamic
architecture was worked out relatively quickly
during the first two centuries of the new faith,
that is the 7th and 8th centuries.

 It proved flexible enough to meet all the


needs of Muslim life. Mosques, schools,
markets, mausoleums (tombs or group of
tombs), houses and public baths were built
with a beautiful unified design system,
embracing regional disparities and
inventiveness.
The prime architectural elements
that define Islamic style are:

 Courtyard
 Minaret
 Dome
 Mihrab
 Iwan
 Arches and Vaults
 Geometric decorative patterns and
calligraphy
Islamic architectural elements in a typical mosque. Source:
 The
Courtyard
 Most mosques contain
a courtyard (originally
a feature of the
Prophet's mosque)
with a central fountain
or pool, surrounded on
all sides by an arcade.
 A courtyard (sahn) in
a mosque is used for
performing ablutions,
praying, meditation
and socializing.

Grand Mosque, Aleppo Syria


 An interior courtyard in
a traditional house, on
the other hand, is used
for aesthetics and
privacy.

 It performs an important
function as a modifier of
climate in hot arid areas.

 It allows outdoor
activities with protection
from the wind, dust and
sun.
 Interior courtyards serve
both as light wells, in a
building with limited
exterior window
openings, and as air
wells into which the cool
dense night air sinks.

 During the day, the


heated air rises,
convection currents set
up an airflow that, in
conjunction with a
fountain and pool,
ventilates the house and
keeps it cool.

Painting by: Filippo Baratti,


1872
 The
Minaret
Unique to Islamic architecture are the minarets. Their dual
functions are to act as a landmark for mosque location; and to
enable the call to prayer to be chanted high above the
community for the faithful to hear.
Samarra Yemen Syria Seville Ottoman Taj Mahal

Source: “Islam Art and Architecture”


Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
Masjid El-Nabawi. Medina, Saudi Arabia

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