Islamic Architecture

622 – 1600 A.D.

Islamic Architecture
-includes religious buildings
intended for worship by Muslims and
secular buildings built in a predominately
Islamic region or used by Muslims.
Influences
From the eighth to the eleventh century, Islamic
architectural styles were influenced by two different
ancient traditions:

• Greco-Roman tradition (Byzantine)

• Eastern tradition (Mesopotamia and Persia)

Prominent Country for Islamic
Architecture

Turkey (Ottoman Turkish Architecture)

- Ottoman architecture is the architecture of the
Ottoman Empire which emerged in Bursa and Edirne in 14th
and 15th centuries. Ottomans built on both the Islamic and
Byzantine Christian traditions to produce their own grand and
harmonious style.
Ottoman Famous Architect

Mimar Sinan
- Ottoman “Grand
Architect” and Civil
engineer who is
responsible for the
Construction of more
than 300 structures
such as mosques,
schools, guests houses,
etc.
 Mimar Sinan’s Notable
Structures

• Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul

• Silimiye Mosque, Edirne

Hagia Sophia – Served as the model for some
Ottoman Mosques in Turkey.
Blue Mosque
Islamic Architectural
Elements
Islamic Architecture| Elements
Calligraphy
- is a visual art related
to writing. Like other Islamic
decoration, calligraphy is
closely linked to geometry.
The proportions of the
letters are all governed by
mathematics. Inscriptions
are most often used as a
frame along and around
main elements of a building
like portals and cornices
Islamic Architecture| Elements

Arabesque
- Also called Islimi.
Arabesque designs are
biomorphic, floral patterns
representing the underlying
order and unity of nature with a
great deal of accuracy. Flowers
and trees might be used as the
motifs for the decoration of
textiles, objects and buildings
 Islamic Architecture| Elements
Geometric Pattern
- These patterns
exemplify the Islamic interest
in repetition, balance,
symmetry and continuous
generation of pattern. The
integration of geometry with
such optical effects as the
balancing of positive and
negative areas, a skilful use of
colour and tone values.
Islamic Architecture| Elements
Lights
- Light can add a dynamic
quality to architecture,
extending patterns, forms and
designs into the dimensions of
time. And the combination of
light and shade creates strong
contrasts of planes and gives
texture to sculpted stone, as
well as stocked or brick
surfaces.
Islamic Architecture| Elements

Water
- In hot Islamic climates,
the water from courtyard pools
and fountains cools as it
decorates. Water can not only
reflect architecture and
multiply the decorative
themes, it can also serve as a
means of emphasizing the
visual axes.
Islamic Architecture| Types of Structure

Mosque
-muslim centre at place
for worship

Madrasah
-Public school
Islamic Architecture| Types of Structure

Hammam
-hot bathhouse

Caravanserai
-a roadside inn for
travelers
Islamic Architecture| Types of Structure

Casbah/Citadel
- a fortress

Mausoleum
- a tomb or monument
Islamic Architecture | MOSQUE
FEATURES
1.) Mashrabiya
- A projecting window
enclosed with carved wood
Latticework.

2.) Mihrab
- A semi-circular niche in
the wall of a mosque that
indicates the qibla.
Islamic Architecture | MOSQUE
FEATURES
3.) Sahn
- A courtyard combine
with ablution area.

4.) Minaret
- A courtyard combine
with ablution area.
Islamic Architecture | MOSQUE
FEATURES
5.) Dome
- Focal point and covering
the main prayer hall.

6.) Dikka
-A place of delivering
royal message.
Islamic Architecture | MOSQUE
FEATURES
7.) Mimbar
-A pulpit.

8.) Muqarnas
- stalactite vault, Persian
architectural ornament
Islamic Architecture | MOSQUE
FEATURES
9.) Praying Area Hall
-main area to perform
congregational pray.

10.) Arch
-structure that spans a
space while supporting weight.
Islamic Architecture | MOSQUE
FEATURES

11.) Battlement
- A defensive element,
comprises a parapet.
Islamic Architecture | MOSQUE
FEATURES
 Islamic Architecture | STRUCTURES
Al-Hambra Complex
(Granada,Spain)

The Alhambra is an ancient

palace, fortress and citadel
located in Granada, Spain. The
eighth-century-old site was
named for the reddish walls and
towers that surrounded the
citadel: al-qal’a al-hamra in Arabic
means red fort or castle. It’s the
only surviving palatine city (a royal
territorial center) of the Islamic
Golden Age and a remnant of the
Nasrid Dynasty, the last Islamic
kingdom in Western Europe.
Al-Hambra Complex
(Interior/Exterior)
 Islamic Architecture | STRUCTURES
Blue Mosque
While its official title is the
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, this stunning
example of Islamic architecture
known as the Blue Mosque calls
Istanbul home. Construction began in
1609 under the rule of Sultan Ahmed
I, and was complete in 1616. It gets
its nickname from the glistening blue
tiles that adorn the interior walls; and
design-wise, the mosque borrows
elements from the Byzantine era. The
magnificent structure is also replete
with six minarets, eight domes, blue
paint, stained glass windows, a
mihrab – made from finely carved
and sculpted marble – and over
20,000 handmade tiles.
Blue Mosque
(Interior/Exterior)
 Islamic Architecture | STRUCTURES
Mezquita-Cathedral
(Cordoba-Andulasia,Spain)
This hybrid mosque and
cathedral is located in Cordoba,
Andalusia and dates back to 600 AD.
The site began as a pagan temple
before being temporarily converted
into a Christian church, then a
mosque and finally into a Roman
Catholic church. Despite its hand-
changing history, the building is one
of the most accomplished works of
Islamic architecture.
 Mezquita-
Cathedral
(Interior/Exterior)
 Islamic Architecture | STRUCTURES

Hagia Sophia
(Istanbul,Turkey)
Frequently considered one
of the greatest buildings in the
world, that doesn’t spare the
Hagia Sophia from a history filled
with even greater chaos. First
built as a Byzantine Church by
Constantine the Great in the 4th
century, the building was soon
destroyed, but only to be rebuilt,
savaged and desecrated by the
Crusaders in 1204.
Hagia Sophia
(Interior/Exterior)
 Islamic Architecture | STRUCTURES

The Dome of the Rock

(Jerusalem)
Located on the Temple
Mount in the Old City of
Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock
is a stunning shrine that has been
standing since 691 CE. Of
particular significance is the
sacred stone upon which the
shrine stands. It is believed that
the stone was the spot where the
Prophet Muhammad ascended to
heaven. The actual dome itself is
no less marvelous.
The Dome Of The Rock
(Interior/Exterior)
Islamic Architecture | STRUCTURES
Taj Mahal
(Agra,India)
 Taj Mahal | Characteristics
When was it built : between 1632 and 1653 AD
Who built it : Shah Jahan, 5th Emperor of the Mughal Dynasty
Time taken : 21 years
Where is it located : Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Why was it built : As a memorial to Shah Jahan’s beloved wife
Mumtaz Mahal after her death in 1631
Dimensions : situated in a 170000 sq. m complex; 57 m at the base;
68 m in height and raised platform height 6 m
Materials used : Ivory, White Marble for the main mausoleum, Red
Sandstone for fortifying structure and accents, It took around 22,000
workers to build this monument. Stonecutters, painters, masons,
dome builders, calligraphers, inlayers, carvers and other artisans were
called from all over Asia and Iran.
Architect : Ustad Ahmed Lahori
Architectural Style : Mughal, Islamic, Persian ,Indian Architecture
Taj Mahal | Exterior Features
Taj Mahal |Architectural Plan, Elevation and Section