History of Architecture: Islamic Period

History of Architecture 03

• Prepared by Ar. Mark Kevin V. Lingan, uap

The Historical Timeline of Architecture

• Includes Egyptian, Byzantine, Pre-Historic, Greek, Roman, Early Christian, Near East, and Islamic periods.

Islam as a Religion

• Submission to God is demonstrated by believers through serving God, following commands, and rejecting polytheism.
• Islam means verbal submission or surrender.
• A Muslim is someone who submits or surrenders.

Background & History: The Spread of Belief

• Islam was founded by the Prophet Muhammad.
• Mecca became an important center of 6th-century trade.
• In approximately 590, Muhammad served a merchant widow named Khadijah and then married her.
• Muhammad began to meditate in a cave on Mount Hira in his forties.
• An angel ordered Muhammad to recite, according to Islamic tradition.
• Khadijah was the first convert to Islam.
• Conversions to Islam were thought by earlier European scholars to occur by force, with conquered people given the choice of conversion or death.
• Following Muhammad's death, expansion of the Arab Empire led to the creation of caliphates.
• Islamic conversion was promoted through missionary work.

Religious Tenets and Practices

• Islam says that the purpose of existence is to worship God.
• The Quran, the unaltered, final word of God, informs Muslims.
• The five pillars of Islam include: profession of faith, prayer, alms, fasting, and pilgrimage.
• The profession of faith is declaring faith in God and belief in Muhammad.
• Prayer consists of praying five times a day.
• Alms signify giving to those in need.
• Fasting refers to sawm.
• Pilgrimage refers to hajj.
• Islam values one, incomparable God.

Precedents of Islam

• Architecture of Islam has an architectural continuity with the history of western architecture from the second century BC.

Influences and Development

• Islamic architecture is the only architectural style designated by religion.
• Islamic Architecture has roots in Mediterranean and South Central Asia.
• Greek Architecture rose in Periclean Athens and was echoed in the west.
• Achamaenid traditions culminated in the royal palace of Persepolis and demonstrate a separate evolutionary pattern of trabeated building.
• Seleucids' raids stopped the growth of native styles in Iranian Plateau until Christ.
• The Parthian dynasty focused a nationalism that allowed the East to confront the West.
• Trade routes carried skilled men between opposing Empires.
• Christianity spread throughout this region.
• Great royal palaces demonstrated an architectural revolution and provided a basis for much in Islam architecture.

Islam as a Religion

• Islamic or Saracenic architecture differs from many other styles because it has no specific country.
• Domes were frequently constructed of brick plastered externally and internally, or of stone in India.
• Spain employed brick and plaster was for surface decoration.
• Marble and red sandstone were used, creating surface decorations in India.
• The geological formation differed in each country, necessitating the use of local materials in building.
• Climatic conditions in the East and South have buildings that are suited with smaller openings, entrances and window surfaces.

Influences

• Independent Caliphs reigning in Syria, Persia, Egypt, North Africa, and Spain created differences of style.
• Intricate geometrical surface decoration known as Arabesques were inspired by Byzantine art.
• Muslims often constructed non-permanent buildings due to the belief that the present was everything, and that was shown in their use of poor materials.
• Muslims separated the sexes, royal families often were entombed separately.
• War shapes architecture.
• Each caliph was responsible for erecting religious buildings.
• Architecture experienced an impetus given the building of new capitals and the change in dynasties.
• Influence in planning was seen in the isolation of the harem in social system.

Historical Factors

• Syria was conquered by the Saracens in A.D. 632-639.
• Egypt fell in 638.
• North Africa was brought under subjection between the years A.D. 647-709.
• Spain was overrun by the Moors in A.D. 710-713, and an independent Caliphate of Cordova was established.
• Sicily was occupied by the Moors in the eighth century.
• Persia was conquered from A.D. 632-651.
• Saracenic architecture of that country was then largely founded on and influenced by the architecture of the Sassanian empire (A.D. 226-641).
• Constantinople was conquered in A.D. 1453 by the Seljuk Turks.
• The Indian States began to fall into the hands of Islamic invaders in A.D. 1000.
• The Mogul Empire was formed in 1526-1857.

Construction Methodologies & Techniques

• Islamic architecture stems from conquest and style synthesis.
• Brick-making and walling in mud brick were almost universal in alluvial plains.
• The "art" of selecting and quarrying was established in the stone-bearing areas.
• Marble was generally available in trades and used for most parts of a building.
• Lime and gypsum were generally used for mortars and plasters.
• Rich building stone areas have suspended roofs and floors of stone planks and interlocking rings.
• Decorative marble slabs and grilles are common.
• Masonry structures of curved, vaulted, or domed forms continued Byzantine and Roman traditions.
• Voussoirs are used for curved shapes, and guarded against earthquake.
• Cements, plasters, and stucco were used for bas-relief carvings.

Construction Details

• Decorative marble slabs and grilles, plate traceries, and mosaics were common.
• Masonry structures often have arch, vault, or dome shapes.
• Curved shapes used Voussoirs.
• Cements, plasters and stucco had carvings.
• Muqarnas were in domes and arches and vaults.
• Colored external surfaces achieved first with mosaic and later with glazed earthenware.
• Complex patterns achieved achieved by making or cutting to the necessary shapes tiles. tiles were created with tiles of a single color.
• a firing method was created in 15th century.
• Wood-working techniques and wood engineering were common in the early construction of roofs and domes.

Architectural Character

• Islamic architecture's general characteristics are warrior-like, masculine, demanding submission, reflects missionary and militaristic devotion to Allah, and subtle tranquility.

Features/Elements

• Features or elements of Islamic Architecture include:
  • Pointed arches
  • Horseshoe arches
  • Calligraphy
  • Colored tiles
  • Floral Patterns
  • Onion Shaped Domes (Qubba)
  • Geometric Patterns
  • Multi-centered tracery
  • Trefoil
  • Multi-foil
  • Minaret
  • Water

Islamic Architecture, Principal Typologies

• Typologies:
  • Mosque
  • Palace
  • Dwelling Houses
  • Tomb
  • Fort
  • Garden

Mosque Structures

• Masjid is the Arabic term.
• More internal, resembling Egyptian temples.
• Elaborate domes, minarets, and prayer halls.
• Serves as a place where Muslims can congregate to pray.
• Believers bow to the ground in worship and devotion.

Common Mosque Types

• Common Type: Famimasjid (Friday Mosque) – intended for public worship.
• Common Type: Madrasa (Collegiate Mosque).
• Common Type: Tomb Mosque (e.g. Taj Mahal).

Mosque - Hypostyle Mosque

• Inspired by Muhammad's houses, which were the first place of worship.

Example - Hypostyle Mosque: Great Mosque of Kairouan

• Ziyadat Allah built in 9th century.
• Repurposed columns from Byzantine sites and used the materials.
• It is a large stone rectangular mosque, an inner courtyard, and a hypostyle.

Style of Mosque

• It is a Syrian bell tower.
• Forest of columns defines hypostyle architecture.

Four-Iwan Mosque definition

• Iwan - a vaulted space that opens on three sides to a courtyard, with one face exposed.

Four-Iwan Mosque design

• This design emerged in the 11th Century in Iran
• Iwans were used in pre-Islamic Iran.
• Strongly associated with Persian designs. The qibla, which faces Mecca, is the biggest and most ornate.
• Four-iwan plans have become increasingly common in mosques.

Centrally-Planned Mosque

• Invented by the Ottoman Empire Architects influenced by Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
• The Hagia Sophia exhibits a towering central dome.

Mosque of Selim II style

• It shows Mimar Sinan's masterpiece.
• Ottoman architecture is a culmination of years.

Mosque - Bi-axial four Iwan

• This type is most often attributed to Iran and Central Asia.

Mosque Anatolia

• Anatolia often used masses of central domes.

Mosque Spain, North Africa

• Hypostyle hall plan and open courtyard styles were common.

Mosque, the Indian Subcontinent

• The triple domes and extensive courtyards are typically the feature.

Mosque (South-East Asia)

• The central pyramidal roof construction is most often a common identifying quality.

Types of Mosque, China

• Detached Pavillions within a walled Garden enclosure.

Minarets as Part of a Mosque

• A slim tower which is a distinctive traditional feature.
• Features vary in height, and style.
• Originally used as a point to call to prayer from.
• Was primarily a visual beacon.
• Serves as reminder to Islam's presence.

Domes as Part of a Mosque

• Many mosques are decorated with rooftop domes, particularly in the Middle East.
• Interiors show high-quality decorations.
• Center is a symbol of heaven with God.
• The locus is a passive to the intellect, maternal in gender and sublimely times in form.

Cupola as Part of a Mosque

• A light structure on a dome or roof, serving as a belfry, lantern, or belvedere.

Lanterns as Part of a Mosque

• They are located on top a roof or a dome to admit light.

Courtyard as Part of a Mosque

• Most have a large central sahn (courtyard) and Riwaq (arcade)
• Residences can have private sahns.

Fountains as Part of a Mosque

• They are placed in the center of the sahn.
• Used for ritualistic washing before prayer.

General design/function of a Fountain

• They are often used as the town's main water supply.

Iwans Parts of a Mosque

• There are vaulted halls, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open.
• They trademark Sasanian Architecture of Persia, with inspiration later during Islamic architecture.
• Decorated with calligraphy.
• Can be decorated with geometric designs.
• The formal gateway is called pishtaq.

Riwaq/Liwanat

• It is a colonnaded or arcaded hall which can be used as the entrance
• Serve as the transition between spaces
• Provide shade and a cover from inclement weather.

Prayer Hall, Musalla

• Bare and with large open space, no furniture is needed for people to pray in it.
• There were spaces for people with limited mobility.
• Religious texts and rugs are stored and can be used to kneel on/with.

Pulpits

• They stand next to the Mihrab and dates back to the times of Prophet Muhammad.

Mihrab

• Most decorated as a symbol of the divine presence and the universality of the Muslim message.

Dikkkas Part of a Mosque

• Platforms raise the respondents or qadi.

Qiblas Part of a Mosque

• Symbolize the directions of the prayers.
• Embody the unity of the population.

Sacred Spaces as Part of a Mosque

• It is the largest mosque in the world in Mecca.
• The center is Islam's most hallowed place.

General Kaaba Info

• The current structure measures around 356,800 square meters.
• It serves the most crucial portion of the Hajj and a reference towards the Gods.

Kiswa/Umrah Info

• The Kiswa is a black silk and gold, replaced every year during Hajj.
• The Black Stone is located in the center of the Mosque.
• The holy site dates back to the biblical figures Adam & Eve.

Al-Masjid al-Harram Structures

• Includes:
  • Kiswa
  • Black Stone
  • Umrah It has to be circled 7 times in order to reach spiritual enlightenment.

Significant Mosques - Jawatha Mosque

• Was built near Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
• Was one of the earliest original structures.

Significant Mosques - Great Mosque of Kufa

• The Masjid Al-Azam located in Kufa, Iraq was one of the first.

Great Mosque of Samarra

• This mosque dates back from the ninth century.
• Commissioned in 848, completed in 851.
• The tower is a spiral cone, 52 meters high and 33 meters wide.

Umayyad Mosque

• Also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus, in the city of Damascus.

Great Mosque of Kairouan Details

• Situated in Tunisia, it is of significant importance
• Is spread over 9000 square meters
• The University was a center of education.

Shah Mosque in Esfahan

• Regarded as a masterpiece of Iranian architecture
• The seven-color mosaic tiles and calligraphic inscriptions are the reason why this is known as the most beautiful mosque in Iran

Al-Zaytuna Mosque Style

• It has been described that its style has similarities of Ancient Roman construction because of its columns.

Significant Mosques, Dome of the Rock

• It is a shrine in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Dome of the Rock History

• Built on the site of a temple dating back to the Roman Empire, it serves as a building of Islamic Innovation.

Palace Design

• Design traced from Islamic origins.
• The separation of sexes was shown in living quarters.

Harems in Palace

• The Harems was for wives and the concubines.

• The living quarters were meant for the men.
• Guest quarters were called the Selamuk.

Functions of the Palace

• Armories and barracks were meant for learning.

General Info - Mughal Gardens

• Used for relaxation.
• They relate closely to imagery in the Qur'an.

Layout Mughal Gardens

• Have elaborate water features.

Types of Islamic Design - Charbagh

• These areas were often a garden layout with lots of water.
  • These would have more open floor plans and less privacy. Types of Islamic Design - Bustan
• BUSTAN spaces were more intimate and were more for inner courtyards.

Types of Mughal Gardens

• There were Javanese with various trees.
• Lastly, the vegetable gardens were known as the Rowdah used to feed staff (gardeners).

Art and Architecture

• Features were often a surface superposed.

• Design Features showed the joining of straight lines.

Styles (Islamic)

• Arabesque style and Arabian-like was highly regarded.
• Stalactite decorations in doors and walls were generally used.

Ottoman Architecture

• The Ottoman Empire lasted from 1299 to 1922.
• Ottoman Turkey was founded by Osman.
• Over time, it was overtaken by forces during WWII, marking changes.
• The Turks had a reign over the Anatolian regions.
• Ottoman architecture was heavily influenced by the earlier Seljuk empire, was combined with styles throughout the region.

Key Architecture Features

• Is composed by using Hagia Sophia as a guide.
• Balances space and technique into the region.

Bursa Style

• It was transformed into a place with aesthetic.

Details found in this Style of Architecture- Sultan Ahmet

It also has hand-painted tiles, which have some significance.

Explore the historical timeline of architecture, including the Islamic period. Learn about the origins of Islam, founded by Prophet Muhammad, and its spread from Mecca.