Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
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
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 Mohamed’s house
A courtyard and covered area for prayer
All mosques were axial and oriented
towards Mecca
Mecca is Islam’s 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
Photo: Sullivan
Islamic Architecture:
Public Buildings
Mausoleums
Memorials to holy men and rulers
Usually centrally planed and domed
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