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Asian Architecture & Introduction to Islamic Architecture

• The presentation provides an introduction to Asian architecture, with a focus on Islamic architecture.

History of Architecture – Asian Architecture: Simple Definition

• History is a chronological record of significant events, such as those affecting a nation or institution, often with explanations of their causes.
• Architecture is the art or practice of designing and building structures, especially habitable ones.

Byzantine Architecture before Islamic Architecture

• The significance of byzantine architecture to the Islamic Architecture will be explored

Hagia Sophia Transition

• The Hagia Sophia was initially built as a Christian church in the 6th century CE (532-537) under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
• It was later converted into a mosque, then a museum, and again a mosque.
• The transition of the Hagia Sophia from a Christian church to a mosque influenced the evolution of Islamic Architecture throughout Europe and Asia.

Islamic Architecture: An Introduction - Influences

• Influences on Islamic architecture will explored

What is Islamic Architecture?

• Islamic Architecture is a building tradition of a Muslim population in the Middle East and countries where Islam has been dominant since the 7th century.
• It is defined as any construction based on the religious principles of Islam.
• Reflects design principles of Islamic culture in both religious and secular buildings.

Geography of Islamic Architecture

• The Muslim faith mainly flourished in Southern Asia and North Africa.
• Significant isolated communities were established in places like Zanzibar, Madagascar, and China.
• Islam spread through military conquest, racial movements, and displacement of populations.
• Significant architectural developments were largely linked to religious civic complexes.

Geology in Islamic Architecture

• Regions where Islam expanded had rich building traditions and techniques using natural resources.
• Common materials included: bricks, marble, ceramic, gypsum, plaster, glass, and metalworks.

History of Islamic Architecture

• Muslim history began in 622 AD (Hijrah) wjem Mohammed moved from Mecca to Medina.
• Mohammed established the framework of religion and the beginnings of military organization for spreading the faith within 10 years.
• After Mohammed's death in 632 AD, Arabian states continued to conquer Central Asia and expanded West towards the Atlantic.
• Islamic Architecture encompasses both religious and secular styles from the origin of Islam.
• Four principal types of Islamic Architecture, Mosques, Tombs, Palaces and Forts.
• Vocabulary from these types is used for less important buildings.

Social Aspects Influencing Islamic Architecture

• The Arab group led the advancement of Islam, maintaining a tribal social structure.
• Men controlled public duties and affairs, influencing the layout of buildings.
• Women's roles were secondary, influencing domestic and agricultural spaces.

Islamic Architecture: Political Aspects

• An Imam is an Islamic religious leader who also serves as a community leader and provides religious guidance to Sunni Muslims.
• The Caliph is the head of state for the Islamic community, succeeding the Prophet as a military, judicial, and spiritual leader.

Religious Aspects of Islam

• The Islamic Culture was founded in 622 A.D.
• Mecca, Saudi Arabia was its original location.
• Mohammed, a trade merchant from Arabia is the religion's founder
• The Islamic Culture has 1.3 Billion Adherents
• Islam is the 2nd largest religion
• Its main locations are Middle East & North Africa
• The primary religious text is Qur'an
• The original language is Arabic
• The houses of worship are Mosques
• God (Allah in Arabic), with the same God revealed in the Jewish and Christian Bibles is the ultimate reality for practitioners of Islam.
• The Type of Theism is Strictly Monotheistic
• The Purpose of Living if to submit to the will of Allah and attain paradise after death
• Living involves following Qur'an, Hadith & Five Pillars of Islam
• The five pillars are
  • Daily confession of faith (Shahada)
  • Dailty ritual prayer (Salat)
  • Paying the alms tax (Zakat)
  • Fasting during the month of Ramadan (Sawn)
  • Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)
• Eternal paradise or hell Resurrection is the Afterlife for those who practice Islam.
• The Crescent Moon & Star are the Islamic Symbols

Common Interpretation of Islamic Architecture

• Islamic Architecture often evokes is evoked Allah's infinite power through designs with repeating themes.
• Human and animal forms are rare, as Allah's work is matchless.
• Calligraphy is used to enhance interiors with quotations from the Quran.

Focus and Power in Islamic Architecture

• Islamic architecture emphasizes interior beauty over exterior spaces.
• The design features Impressive forms, which highlight the impressive power of Allah
• The forms generally includes Large Domes, towering minarets and Large courtyards meant to convey power
• The Large Courtyards are fundamental

Architectural Styles of Islamic Architecture

• The various architectural styles are
  • Moorish Architecture
  • Mozarabic Architecture
  • Mudéjar Architecture
  • Seljuk Architecture
  • Ottoman Architecture
  • Mughal Architecture

Architectural Styles: Moorish Architecture:

• Moorish Architecture is the Islamic Architecture of North Africa and regions of Spain. Known for large mosques and fortress-palaces under Moorish denomination.
• Moorish People are from Northwest Africa who invaded Spain in the 8th Century.
• Spain utilized Horseshoe arches.
• Moorish has two fundamental design elements: arches and Muqarnas & arabesque are carved through the design
• Moorish Design uses:
  • Geometric Design
  • Abstract Design
• Zellij – Moorish tilework on floors, ceilings and walls

Moorish Architecture - Catheral of Cordoba

• Example, Hypostyle player Hall, Of Mosque - Cathedral Of Cordoba

Architectural Styles: Mozarabic

• The Mozarabic style of architecture is Spanish, it was produced between the 9th-15th century by Christians.
• The Mozarabic style is characterized by : the horseshoe arch
• It was produced by both Christians & Muslim, but Christian influence was under Moorish dominance

Mozarabic architectural example

• he Mozarabic horseshoe-shaped arches of Santiago de Peñalba church, El Bierzo, Spain.

Mudejar Architecture

• A Spanish architectural style produced by Mudejars & Christians working within Muslim architectural traditions in the 13th-16th century.
• Mudejar is characterized by a fusion of Romanesque and Gothic styles with Islamic elements, specifically after the Christian reconquest. Mudejar is a Muslim remain in Spain after the Christian reconquest, esp. during the 8th-13th century.

Mudejar Architecture of Aragon in España.

• Mudejar Architecture of Aragon, Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España

Architectural Styles: Seljuk Architecture

• Islamic Architecture of several Turkish dynasties ruling Central and Western Asia (11th-13th century)
• Heavily influenced by Persian Architecture

Mosques of the Seljuk Archtecture

• Example, Jameh Mosque of Kerman, Iran.

Architectural Styles: Ottoman Architecture

• The Ottoman Empire, from the 14th century much influenced by Byzantine Architecture

Ottoman Architecture Examples

• Examples, Blue Mosque in Istanbul, an example of the classical style of Ottoman architecture, showing Byzantine Influence

Mughal Architecture

• The architecture of the Mogul Dynasty was from 1526-1857
• It was typified by monumental places and mosques with highly detailed decoration works
• Examples include the Taj Mahal, built at Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Islamic Architectural Definitions: Muqarna

• Muqarnas are pointed niches arranged in tiers that appear to form a honeycomb or staircase.
• They are a signature decorative element of Islamic architecture, fulfilling both functional and ornamental purposes.

Islamic Architectural Definitions: Arabesque

• Arabesque is a form of decoration and patterns of decoration and different patterns, influenced and inspired by Arabian Style

Islamic Architectural Types & Features

• The common types
  • Mosque
  • Tomb
  • Palaces
  • Forts

Mosque Architectural Attributes

• A mosque is defined as a building for Islamic religious activity
• The different types are
  • Congregational OR FRiday Mosque (Jami Masjid)
  • Madrasah (Collegiate Mosque)
  • Tomb Mosque