Architecture of the Muslim World

History of Architecture (BAED1114-Department of Architecture, FAB,UM) Semester 1, 2013/14

Architecture of the Muslim World by: Nila Inangda References: Abbas, H.,(1994), Story of the Great Expansion,Saudi bin Ladin Group. Madinah Barrucand, M., Bednorz, A (1992)., Moorish Architecture in Andalusia, Taschen,, Cologne Frishman,M.,Hasan-uddin Khan (1994), The Mosque,History,Architectural, Development & regional diversity, Thames and Hudson,, London Hoag, J.D (1979)., History of World Architecture, Islamic Architecture, Faber and Faber Limited,, London Kuban D. (1974), Muslim Religious Architecture part I, Institut of Religious Iconography State University Groningen Kuban D. (1985), Muslim Religious Architecture part II, Institute of Religious Iconography State University Groningen Petersen, A (1996)., Dictionary of Islamic Architecture, Routledge,, New Yourk Michell, G (1978)., Architecture of The Islamic World, Thames and Hudson,, London Nanji, Azim & Ruthven M.,(2004), Historical Atlas of Islam, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Introduction: 1.0.

Architecture of the Muslim World

1.1. Chronology 1.2. The beginning of the Muslim era 1.3. Era of The Caliphate 2.0. 2.1. 2.2.

Architectural Concept The Characteristic The Building Type

3.0.

Architecture of the Traditional Mosque in South East Asia

4.0.

Contemporary Architecture of the Muslim

1.0.

Architecture of the Muslim World

1.1. Chronology 1.2. The beginning of the Muslim era 1.3. . Era of The Caliphate

1.1. Chronology

The Rise of The Muslims

1.2.

The beginning of the muslim era

At the beginning, the architecture of mosque was just a copy of The House of the Prophet Muhammad (May Peace Be Upon Him) in Madina. A 'hypostyle' shape of building structurally suporting by the trunk of the palm tree (Date tree) and its leaves for the roof. Among the mosques are: The Kufa Mosque built in Basra (AD 635) A square area with dimensions of which were determined by shooting arrows from a central point, set-off ditches from the surrounding area, with a roofed but a wall-less shelter on the kiblah site The Mosque of 'Amr di Fustat built in AD 641/2; an enclosed shelter with a low ceiling, the roof of which supported by trunks of palm trees (date tree) (Kuban D - 1974)

‘the most unnecessary activity that eats up the wealth of a believer is building’ (hadis) Nine small rooms for the Prophet’s (pbuh) wives

House Of The Prophet –AD 620 ‘Salah’ with ‘Qibla’ oriented toward Mecca Fifty six mtrs /side

‘Zula’ a place for prayer Facing North (Jerusalem) 13 meters Ceiling height

Quba/Kufa Mosque (The first Mosque in Basra AD635)

The Extension of Kufa/ Quba Mosque By El Wakil Al Walid

Plan

Elevation

1.2.0. Era of The Caliphate 1.2.1. The Umayyad This Dynasty was the first to show the ability of the Muslim community in building design and construction. 'Dome of the Rock‘(687-692), was built during the period of Al Wahid. A building surrounding a rock with the shape of a foot, was where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) began his ‘mikraj’ or ascension. It is octagonal in shape with Corinthian pillars supporting the drum that supports the dome which was built using wood. This building was the last remaining traditional Hellenistic architectural design.

It was also during this century that reconstruction work was done on a number of mosques under the order of Al Walid. The reconstruction was greatly influenced by the Byzantine architecture found in the Damascus ( Syria ) territory.

Among the mosques are: Mosque in Basra Kufa Mosque 'Amr Mosque at Fustat Qubbat-al Sakhra Extension of Nabawi Mosque (Madina) -

665 670 673 684 707

Cordoba, Great Mosque (715), it was here than the semi-circular mihrab was first introduced by a Copt artist.

In Granada, Spain The AlHambra Palace was built with the Generalife Gardens

It is A Citadel, a Palace surrounded by a wall. Within the wall was a resident, a mosque and bathing area. The resident was covered by carved wood of floral and geometrical motives facing the public area. The remains of a palace complex surrounded by a garden Water element was introduced to function as a light reflector and sound insulator.

Water Element outdoor and indoor

1.2.2 The Era of the Abbasid Widely spread in Iraq. A city within a city was built in this era. Within this city the first mosque was built by Al Mansur (862), according to al-Khatib, this construction was based on the design of traditional Iraqi mosque. It was the first mosque with the characteristic of Mesopotamia Architecture.

The Aleppo (Syria), The 5000 years old settlement

Majestic Mosque of Samarra (847) Consisting of a wide praying area, formed by 25 aisles, with the middlemost and widest aisle facing the qiblah. The mosque was constructed using baked bricks, roof was of wood, and has a pillar of T shape. This mosque has a twisted minaret - al-Manarat al Malwiya. The mosque was surrounded by a court yard, with the exception of the Kiblah wall.. The mihrab was influenced by the Mesopotamia Architecture.

1.2.3. Era of Tulunid and Fatimid Ibn Tulun Mosque

876

The mosque was famous for its façade architecture. Was considered to have copied the Mesopotamia decorative ornaments. The pattern of its construction was similar to the Samara mosque but only has a minaret on the square shaped building similar to the Abu Dulaf mosque.

1.2.4. The Era of Ottoman Sinan was an architect who had succeeded in building a number of beautiful mosques based on the original construction concept of Santa Sofia church which was converted into a mosque.

Sinan was able to create a mosque with a design which was able to control between thermal, light and sound comfort. Among the mosques were: Shehzade Mosque -1543 (Istanbul) Sulaimaniye Mosque-1550 (Istanbul) Sulaimaniye Mosque-1569 (Edirne) With a dome of 31.50 m length in diameter, the praying area of a square shape, and a praying gallery for the Sultan. Sultan Ahmet Mosque-1609 (Istanbul) Architecture during this era was controlled in the usage of ornamental decoration, and was more economical. Flora decoration was painted. The aspect of the building structure was more prioritized for a wider dome construction.

Ottoman Era

The Sulaimani Mosque

1.2.5. Savafid Era Widely spread during the reconstruction of Isfahan by the Shah Abbas. Overcoming the merge of two axis of different angle was able to create a unique planning concept. Sunlight manipulation for lighting within the building was successfully planned through the open design by the cylindrical supported dome.(The Ali Kapo Palace) The Ali Qapu Palace Built for multifunction purpose, in accordance to season or its function. Facing the central square. Areas for multifunction purposes, seasonal or function. Open space above for receiving respected guests or to observe various activities held in the central square.

1.2.6.

The Moghul Era

Architecture in this era begins from the erection of Humayun Tomb. Built on an arcade podium using marble and red bricks. On the podium was built a dome covering area of 49m2 and 38m in height. The dome was built using marble. The Jame’ Fatehpur Sikri Mosque, residence of the Mighty Akhbar. Praying area contains maqsura. The mosque has a huge south gate named Buland Darwaza built as a symbol of victory.

2.0. 2.1. 2.2.

Architecture Concept Architectural Characteristic The Building Type

2.1.0 Architectural Characteristics 2.1.1. Design Principle 2.1.2. Construction and Material Use 2.1.3. Ornamentals

2.1.1. Design Principle i.

ii. iii.

iv.

v.

Inward Planning, the design was focusing more on the internal part such as, 'courtyard' planning rather than façade treatment. ‘Qibla’ is the most important orientation axis. Hierarchy and Security are prior in Planning Strategy. Proportion in plan and elevation; the building was designed using mathematical and geometrical calculation. The building form was articulated to exploit and manipulate the environmental factors in order to achieve building comfort

i.

Inward planning, focusing more on the 'courtyard' rather than façade treatment.

Interior more important than Facade

Intricate expression of internal ornamental element

ii. Kiblah is the most important orientation axis.

iii. The building proportion shown in plan and elevation. It was determined based on mathematical and geometrical calculation.

iv. The building form was articulated to exploit and manipulate the environmental factors in order to achieve building comfort

2.1.2. Construction and Material Use

Mitchell,G 1984 Barrucand,M&Bednorz,A.,1992

The art of Arch Construction Design (Mitchell G, 1994)

Wooden reinforcement with earthen construction – mosque in africa (Frishman &Khan, 1994)

2.1.3. Ornamentals Infinity, Geometrical, Organic Nonfigurative Using Stone,Brick,Ceramic,Wood,Stucco

3.0. Types of Buildings 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. 3.7.

‘Masjid’ (Mosque) ‘Madrasah’ (School) Palaces ‘Makam’ (Mausoleums) ‘Bazaar Caravanserais’(Traders’/ Travelers’) Industrial

3.1.

‘Masjid’ (Mosque) – The important Mosques

The Madinah Mosque

Macca, The Masjidl Haram

Al Kiblatan Mosque

Components of Mosque in the beginning of the muslim era consist of:

i. Kiblah wall, a wall that faces Mecca ii. ‘Mimbar’, a raised platform as simple as a step provided for the Prophet (PBUH) to sit while delivering his sermon. iii. ‘Aked’, covered space for people to pray Additional Components of Mosque introduced by the Umayyad: ‘Mihrab’, A special space (niche) designed for the Imam to lead the pray ii. ,Mimbar’, a decorative structure raised for the Imam to seat during sermon iv. ‘Maqsara’, a place set apart to safeguard the Imam(Frishman & Khan,1994) v. Dome, vi. ‘Wudhu‘ (ablution) vii. ‘Menara’ (Tower) viii.Portal/ ‘Ivan’ i.

i.

‘Mihrab’, A special space (niche) designed for the Imam to lead the pray

ii. ‘Mimbar’, a raised platform as simple as a step provided for the prophet to sit while delivering his sermon.

iii. ‘Maqsara’, a place set apart to safeguard the Imam(Frishman & Khan,1994

iv. Dome,

v. ‘Wudhu‘ (ablution)

vi. The Minaret

Location of the minaret

Types of Minaret

v.ii. The Portal/Ivan

Muqarnas Iwan is a vaulted hall, walled on three sides with one end entirely open, under the Seljuks (10th C)are established iwan as one of the basic unit of Islamic Architecture. Muqarnas is a system of projecting niches used for zones of transition and for architectural decoration (Petersen, 1996)

Mosque in China

3.2.

‘Madrasah’ (School)

General View of the Madrasa of Shah Sultan Husain (KubanD,1985)

3.3.

Palaces

The former gate of Viziers, the arrangement of its decorative elements set the standard for all subsequent gates

The MaidanI Shah Isfahan Famous for its city planning under the Saffavids (16th C)

Ali Kapo Palace, Isfahan(17thcent)

Acoustic Room

‘MuQarn as’ as light & sound diffuser

The Ukhaidir Palace

The Lion Court, Al Hambra, Granada

The AlHamra, Granada (11th cent)

3.4.

‘Makam’ (Mausoleums)

3.5.

‘Bazaar’ for the Traders’

3.6. Caravanserai for the Travelers

3.7. Industrial Structure

4.2.6. Industrial