Islamic

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
Arch forms in the shape of a horseshoe
are uniquely Islamic

Islamic Architecture:
Public Buildings

The most common types of Islamic

public buildings
Mosques
Madresahs
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 Mohameds
house

A courtyard and covered area for prayer

All mosques were axial and oriented

towards Mecca

Mecca is Islams 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

Exterior decoration usually only

surrounds openings and marks the
roofline

Unlike other public buildings where

decoration starts at the foundation and ends
at the roof

Islamic Architecture:
Public Buildings

Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture:
Public Buildings

Mausoleums
Memorials to holy men and rulers
Usually centrally planed and domed
The most famous Islamic mausoleum is
the Taj Mahal

Islamic Architecture:
Public Buildings

Mausoleums

Mausoleum of the
Taj Mahal

c. 1631 1648
Located in Agra,
India
Built as a memorial
by a Muslim Indian
ruler to his wife
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/wdpt
1.html
Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From
Prehistory to Postmodernity
Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western
Architecture

Islamic
Architecture
Architectural History
ACT 322
Doris Kemp