Islamic Architecture

presented by Ar. SF Estrella

 Pre-Islamic Bedouin worshipped stones, trees, and pieces of wood as the
dwelling places of spirits whom they endowed with supernatural powers.

Supreme human virtue in their eyes was manliness, expressed in the traits of
loyalty, generosity, and courage.
ancient trading link

6th -7th century

slower land routes

Makkah
Mecca
Muhammad
Kaaba
 Kaaba
meaning cube in Arabic
 Kaaba
pre-Islamic monument,
rededicated by Muhammad

considered by Muslims to be
the most sacred spot on Earth
50 ft- high stone cube

oriented so that its corners roughly

correspond to the points of the compass

interior contains three pillars supporting the

roof

a recess containing the sacred black stone

that pilgrims kiss
Islam means ‘submission to Allah’
Allah the standard Arabic word for God
Islam means ‘submission to Allah’
Belief in Allah, Muhammad as a prophet, that the
object of life is to live in a way that is pleasing to Allah
so that one may gain Paradise.
Islam means ‘submission to Allah’
Belief in Allah, Muhammad as a prophet, that the
object of life is to live in a way that is pleasing to Allah
so that one may gain Paradise.

caliph ruler of the community

Islamic Architecture
also Muslim, Muhammadan or Saracenic Architecture.

Domes, tunnel vaults, round and horseshoe arches, and

rich surface decorations
Architectural Element

Squinches, supports under the dome.

Architectural Element

Squinches, supports under the dome.

Muqarnas vaulting, stalactite, or honeycomb-like

elements hanging from the ceiling.
Shah Mosque in Isfahan, Iran
Architectural Element
Arches, Islamic arches are categorized into four main
styles: pointed, ogee, horseshoe, and multifoil.

Pointed Ogee Horseshoe Multifoil

Architectural Element
Arches, Islamic arches are categorized into four main
styles: pointed, ogee, horseshoe, and multifoil.

Ornamental Details, often seen in the interiors,

decoration includes jewel-like tiles arranged into
geometric mosaics, patterned brickwork and
kaleidoscopic stones, and exquisite calligraphic
adornments.
Mosque Hassan in Rabat, Morocco
 Star - most common Islamic design

Nasir-al Molk Mosque in Iran

Light
Islamic Art Museum Of Iran
by Mohsen Kheirmand Parizi
Islamic Art Museum Of Iran
by Mohsen Kheirmand Parizi
Islamic Art Museum Of Iran
by Mohsen Kheirmand Parizi
Water
In hot Islamic climates, water from courtyard pools
and fountains cools as it decorates.
Water in Islamic Garden
Initially, gardens were utilized to grow
orchard trees for fruits and shade as
well as crops for sustaining life.
Water in Islamic Garden
In Ancient Persia, water was scarcely
available, so it was considered as a
sacred entity that has dual applications,
one is for functional purpose and the
other one is aesthetic and ornamentation
purpose.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
 Pan-Islamic Structures
holy places divinely endowed with special sanctity

presented by Ar. SF Estrella

Haram
enclosure in Mecca itself

Abraham - first Muslim believed to have first built the

Kaaba

Pan-Islamic Structures |
Masjid al-Haram, Mecca
Haram al-Sharif
noble sanctuary in Jerusalem

also known as the Mosque of the City

or The Temple Mount

Pan-Islamic Structures |
approximately 150,000 sq.m. area
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem
Mosque
also masjid or musjid

Muslim building or place of public worship

Four levels of prayer:

the individual, (masjid)
the congretion, (jami)
the total population of a town, (idgah)
the entire Muslim world
Pan-Islamic Structures |
Masjid
daily prayer;
has a mirab (niche)
but no minbar (pulpit)
Jami
congregational or Friday
mosque; used for the main
weekly service;

larger than a masjid and

provided with a minbar
(pulpit).
Idgah
place of community prayer;
open praying area with
nothing but a qibla wall and a
mihrab.
Madrasa
a teaching mosque.
Parts of a Mosque

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 Dome
symbol of Heaven with God at
the Centre

Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Oman

Minaret
tower attached to a mosque;
where the muezzin calls the
Muslim people to prayer.
 Spire

Balcony

Minaret
Cylindrical
Body
tower attached to a mosque;
where the muezzin calls the
Muslim people to prayer.
Transition
Segment

Pulpit
Types of Minaret
Iwan
also ivan or liwan,
large vaulted portal opening
onto the central courtyard of
a mosque.
Plan of the Great Mosque of Isfahan, Iran, showing iwans opening onto the sahn (court)
Sahn
atrium
with wells or fountains
Fawwara
also meda, fountain for
washing before prayers.
Qibla
also qiblah, wall in a mosque
in which the mihrab is set,
oriented to Mecca.
Mihrab
niche or decorative panel;
most decorated part of the
building.
Minbar
also minrab, pulpit for which
the imam delivers sermons.
Dikka
reading desk; where the
Quran is recited and
prayers are intoned.
Maqsura
screen, protective
barrier of the minbar.
Architectural Styles

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Moorish Architecture
Islamic architecture of North Africa

Buildings of large mosque and elaborate fortress-

palaces

Structural Systems and Decorations adapted from

classical antiquity combined with Islamic Architecture.
Palace Fortress of Alhambra, Granada, Spain.
Palace Fortress of Alhambra, Granada, Spain.
Mughal Architecture
also Indo-Islamic

Blend of traditions from India and Islam

Taj Mahal, India
Taj Mahal
"Crown Palace"

Built by Shah Jahan as a tomb

for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal
Taj Mahal
"Crown Palace"

The marble face is decorated with

floral motifs ang a typf of inlay
called pietra dura (using cut,
fitted, and polished colored stones
to create images)