JAIN UNIVERSITY – SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN

DESIGN CONCEPT

NANOTECHNOLOGY &
CALLIGRAPHY BEYOND PEN AND
PAPER

By.
SAFIYYAH FATHIMA
B.SC.INTERIOR DESIGN
4TH SEM
17BSR05083
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“ “Inspiration leads to Dedication,

Dedication leads to Accomplishment,
Accomplishment leads to Acknowledgement”

Firstly I would like to express my sincere regards to Major.Dr,Rekha Sinha Ma’am for
giving me this opportunity to do this project. Her endless concern, love and
motivation helped me to learn and grow.
Secondly, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mr.Indranil Sir for
enlightening me and guiding me throughout the project despite his busy and
hectic schedule.
Last but not the least, I would like to thank God Almighty for giving me the good
health and strength and guiding me throughout in making this project a successful
one.
 INDEX
• PROPOSED PROJECT STATEMENT
• AIM
• OBJECTIVES
• AREA OF INTEREST
• SCOPE OF WORK
• LIMITATIONS
• LITERATURE CASE STUDY 1 - GRAND MOSQUE OF KUWAIT
• LITERATURE CASE STUDY 2 - THE BLUE MOSQUE,TURKEY
• LITERATURE CASE STUDY 3 - AL – WARQA MOSQUE,DUBAI
• DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LOCATION
• DEATAILED ANALYSIS OF BARESHELL( FLOOR PLANS)
• SECTIONS AND ELEVATIONS
• THE MOSQUE ACCORDING TO QUR’AN AND HADITH
• ANTHROPOMETRICS
• A STUDY OF DESIGN OF MOSQUE OF THE MINISTRY OF AWQAF AND
FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN KUWAIT
 PROPOSED PROJECT STATEMENT
This project involves the designing of the interiors of a mosque in Kuwait,
primarily with the use of Nanotechnology and the implementation of Arabic
calligraphy in highlighting features.
The design will also focus on:
• Mosque – as a place for prayer in congregation five times a day and that can
hold the entire male population during the Friday prayer.
• Madrassa – as a space to house Islamic literature, a place to learn and study.
Thus, the design combines different elements into one homogenous whole.
The form would be inviting rather than turning its back to the streetscape.

AIM
To use Nanotechnology and Arabic calligraphy in designing the interiors of a
mosque in Kuwait.
 OBJECTIVES
• To study the areas where calligraphy can be used.
• To study how nanotechnology can be used in various areas.
• To study how mosques are designed in Kuwait.
• To study the changing weather conditions and climatic conditions of Kuwait.
• To study circulation patterns.
• To understand the cutting of calligraphy lettering with respect to steel, glass and
other materials and texture.
• To understand and study how calligraphy can be implemented in minute areas.
• To understand how calligraphy can capture interest in miniature detailing and
carving.
• To use calligraphy in lighting and casting shadows.
• To study the effect of carving on wood furniture etc
• To study restrictions and regulations according to the teachings of The Qur’an.
• To conduct case studies.
• To study anthropometric and ergonomic data of mosque.
• To study and explore the rituals of the mosque and its prohibitions.
• To study various documentations on mosque standards.
 AREA OF INTEREST
• Arabic calligraphy.
• Use of Nanotechnology.
• Calligraphy lettering and carving.

SCOPE OF WORK
• Lighting Designer.
• Calligraphy Artist.

LIMITATIONS
• Islamic Architecture.
• Limited knowledge of Nanotechnology.
• Construction and dome detailing.
 LITERATURE CASE STUDY 1
1) GRAND MOSQUE OF KUWAIT (Largest and official mosque of Kuwait)

Mihrab section / Front elevation / Plan

Capacity – 11000 people(10000 men + 1000

women)
Exterior View Area –480,000sqft
Windows - 144
Location – Kuwait City, Kuwait Dome – 1 no. / Diameter - 85 ft(outer) /
Architectural style – Andalusian Dome Height – 141 ft
Affiliation – Islam Minarets – 1 no. / Height – 242 ft
 DESIGN FEATURES
•The main prayer hall is elegant with natural light creeping in and has 4 columns.
• Four magnificent chandeliers (each weighing the same as a car) suspended from the
dome which is surmounted with a crescent of copper.
•It borrows heavily from Persian structural design especially things like a central large
dome, pointed arches and arcades of pillars forming into windy open-air passageways.
•The gypsum which is hand-carved adds textures to the mosque, inestimable geometric
Andalusian style patterned tile work brighten the space and ornamental calligraphy lures
the eye of visitors around the room.
• The dome is decorated with the Asma –ul - Husna, the 99 names of Allah, as revealed
in Quran
•The mosque has ten gates made of rare wood. The Qiblah, the direction to which
Muslims turn in prayer, is decked out with a verse from the Holy Qur'an printed in Kufi
calligraphy.
•.These were written and designed by Hamid Haddad who is one of the most important
calligraphers in Middle East.
 LITERATURE CASE STUDY 2
2) THE BLUE MOSQUE,TURKEY

Exterior View Plan and Section

Location – Istanbul, Turkey. Capacity – 10000 people

Architects – Sedefkar Mehmed Aga Area – 51,120 sqft
Architectural style – Ottoman Length – 240 ft / Breadth – 213 ft
Affiliation – Sunni Islam Dome height – 141 ft(outer) / 77.1 ft(inner)
Minarets – 6 nos. / Height – 210 ft
 DESIGN FEATURES
•It has a forecourt and special area for ablution. In the middle it has a big fountain. On
the upper side it has a big chain.
• The upper area is made up of 20000 ceramic tiles each having 60 tulip designs. In the
lower area it has 200 stained glass windows.
• On the chandeliers, ostrich eggs are found that were meant to avoid cobwebs inside
the mosque by repelling spiders.
•The decorations include verses from the Qur'an. many of them made by Seyyid Kasim
Gubari, regarded as the greatest calligrapher of his time.
•The most important element in the interior of the mosque is the mihrab, which is made
of finely carved and sculptured marble
•The great tablets on the walls are inscribed with the names of the caliphs and verses
from the Quran.
 LITERATURE CASE STUDY 3
3) AL – WARQA MOSQUE,DUBAI

Ground floor plan

First floor plan

Exterior View

Location – Dubai,UAE
Architects – Ibda Design
Wael Al Anwar and Kenichi Teramoto
Section
Area - 15069 sqft / Capacity – 500 people
Minaret – 1 no.
 DESIGN FEATURES
•Arched openings in the sandstone façade lead worshippers into a bright marble courtyard
with a textured minaret.
•The ochre-toned walls offer contrast to the building's bright white dome and marble-lined
interior, which is intended to provide a retreat from the "harsh elements of the material world".
•The architects used Saudi sandstone for the outer walls of the mosque, which is located in
the famously sandy United Arab Emirates city. The aim was for the building to look like an
extension of the desert environment.
•The courtyard links with the main hall and is used as an overspill area during Friday prayers,
or peak times during Ramadan and Eid.
•A row of trees and a minaret rise from the open-air space, which is also intended as a place
to socialise. The minaret is decorated with an mosaic-like pattern.
•Skylights surround the perimeter of the room, flooding both the upper and lower spaces
with natural light.
 DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LOCATION

•Country – Kuwait / Capital – Kuwait City

•Co- ordinates
Latitude - 29º22’10”N / Longitude – 47º58’41”E
•Altitude above sea level – 16m = 52 ft
•Seismic Zone – Zone 1
•Soil type – Calcrete Soil ( Gatch)
•Climate – Arid climate
•Humidity – Maximum (December)
Minimum (July)
•Concern of natural hazards:
Sudden cloud outbursts (October – April)
Dust storms (March – April)
•Temperature:
Mean monthly maximum temperature – 46.9ºC – August
Mean monthly moderate temperature - 30.7ºC – July
Mean monthly minimum temperature – 19.5ºC - January
•Religion – Islam ( Majority are Sunni Muslims)
•Language – Official language – Arabic / Second language – English.
Hindi, Urdu, Persian are widely spoken among foreign population.
•Currency – 1 Kuwaiti Dinar(KWD) = 233.27 Indian Rupees(INR)
 DETAILED ANALYSIS OF BARESHELL

Basement floor plan- 4004sq.ft Ground floor plan -8912sq.ft

Mezzanine floor plan – 4450sq.ft Final roof plan – 8912sq.ft TOTAL:26,278 sq.ft
 SECTIONS AND ELEVATIONS

Section – A-A
Section – B-B

Section – C-C South Elevation

 THE MOSQUE ACCORDING TO QURA’AN AND HADITH.
The Holy Qura’an Directs that a mosque should be built to promote piety and
righteousness among the believers and should not be used to create division among
the Muslims. It says:
Sura At-Tauba-9 (107, 108)
“And there are those who put up a mosque by way of mischief and infidelity to disunite
the believers, and in preparation for one who warred against Allah and His apostle
aforetime. They will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good; but Allah doth
declare that they are certainly liars.
Never stand thou forth therein. There is a mosque whose foundation was laid from the
first day on piety; it is more worthy of thy standing forth (for prayer) therein. In it are men
who love to be purified; and Allah loveth those who make themselves pure.”

The Holy Qura’an also mentions two sacred mosques.

Sura Al-Israa-17 (1)
Glory to (Allah) Who did take His Servant for Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque
to the Farthest Mosque whose precincts We did Bless in order that We might show him
some of Our Signs: for He is the one Who heareth and seeth (all things)

The Holly Qura’an also tells us that the mosques belong to no one but ALLAH.
Sura Al-Jinn-72 (18)
"And the places of worship are for Allah (alone): so invoke not anyone along with Allah;
 THE MOSQUE ACCORDING TO QURA’AN AND HADITH.
The Holy Qura’an is also a state for Friday is a special day for Muslims.
Sura Al-Juma’a-62 (9, 10)
O ye who believe! when the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of
Assembly) hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah and leave off business (and
traffic): that is best for you if ye but knew!
And when the Prayer is finished then may ye disperse through the land and seek of the
Bounty of Allah: and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that ye may
prosper.

The Holy Qura’an is also telling us the direction of face toward the Holly Qaba.
Sura Al-Baqara-2 (144)
We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens; now shall We turn thee
to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred
Mosque; wherever ye are turn your faces in that direction. The people of the book know
well that that is the truth from their Lord nor is Allah unmindful of what they do.
There are six places where prohibited to pray.
1- Public bath
2- Pub
3- Graveyard
4- Camel Instable
5- Non Muslim Temple
6- Roof top of Khana-e-Ka’ba
 ANTHROPOMETRICS
The size of the prayer hall is based on 0.85metre square per person praying space.

Ablution area universal access

A STUDY OF DESIGN OF MOSQUE OF THE MINISTRY OF AWQAF AND
FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN KUWAIT

As a common practice in Kuwait after the commission to build a mosque is given to the MPU
by the MAIA, the DS at the MPU takes over the job and embarks on completing the design
documents of the new mosque. The MPU in conjunction with the MAIA have developed a set
of design guidelines for mosques, dealing with all aspects of mosque construction.
•MAIA & MPW Guidelines for Mosque Design
The guidelines are divided into general comments on the design as a whole, and specific
requirements for various mosque components. Extracts from MAIA & MPU archives were
obtained and translated by the Author. While the general requirements apply to all mosque
sizes and types, the specific requirements vary between types depending on their size.

General Requirements
These come in the form of a set of general design suggestions as follows„
•Simplicity must be sought in internal and external design, without contradictions to worship
requirements.
• Circular shapes must be excluded and plans should be configurations of rectangular and
square shapes to ensure regularity of prayers lines.
• Friday mosques should be provided with fully equipped libraries.
• Harmony must be sought in selection of indoor furnishings and outdoor colours.
• A marble plinth of at least 1m high should be made all around internal walls.
A STUDY OF DESIGN OF MOSQUE OF THE MINISTRY OF AWQAF AND
FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN KUWAIT

All minarets have a spiral concrete staircase in the centre leading to mosque’s roof
and balcony level. All surveyed minarets are relatively low (height ranges from 21 to
29 meters)
 LIVE CASE STUDY 1
1) MASJID-E-ALA(JAMA MASJID),SRIRANGAPATNA

Location – Srirangapatna, Madhya

Period - regime of Tipu Sultan 1786-87 Area – 34,511sqf(204.39ft x 168.30ft)
(62.30m x 51.30m)
Minarets – 2 nos. / Height – 86ft
 Water Tank
Exterior view

Entrance to hall
Passage + madrassa
Mihrab
 DESIGN FEATURES
•The mosque is within a rectangular enclosure measuring 62.50m x 51.30m with its entry being
from the eastern side through a small and simple entrance constructed in post and lintel system.
•The outer walls of the upper storey as well as the chajja and the parapet above it are plastered
and are ornate.
•The walls are decorated with a series of cusped arches in relief. These arches are set within
rectangular frames formed of floral tracery. The spandrels have flowers carved in relief. A string
course separated the wall from a decorative frieze placed below an ornate cornice. This frieze has
a series of square perforations meant for pigeons. Below the perforations of the frieze are elegant
bowls.
•The floor of the verandah and the steps of the staircases are made of stone. The other parts are
constructed of brick and mortar and are plastered.
•Running along the arch is a floral ornament which is crude in rendition. Like all other monuments
of Tipu’s period stucco is extensively to render ornamental motifs.
•The traces of paintings of tiger stripes can be seen at several places where the lime plaster has
flaked off. Apart from painting stucco carving is another mode of decoration employed here.
•Due to the white wash, the decoration has lost its original charm.
•It is the two minars that are responsible for the majestic appearance of the Jumma Masjid of Tipu
Sultan. Each minar rises to a height of 26.50m. And consists of five superimposed, tapering shafts.
•200 steps lead to the top of the minaret which provids a birds view of Srirangapatna. It is closed
now due to improper staircase.
 LIVE CASE STUDY 2
1) MODI MASJID,TASKER TOWN

Area – 40,000sqft
Location – Tasker Town,Bangalore Dome – 1 domes present.
Architect – Team Work Architects Dome top ht is around 13ft
Minarets – 2 nos. / Height – approx 80ft
Interior view of mosque
Ground floor prayer hall

View of dome from below

Basement level- -10’approx
Natural ground level- 0’
Ground floor level- 6’
First floor level -23’
Second floor level – 40’
Dome bottom – 52’
Dome top – 65’
 DESIGN FEATURES
•Carved wooden doorways which are arched lead to the inside of the mosque,
•The mosque consists of a ground floor and a mezzanine floor.
•A single large dome which is at the top level of around 65 ft is decorated with quranic verses and
has small arched windows through which light passes.
•A large beautiful carpet covers the entire stretch and gives a clear circular pattern below the dome.
•Calligraphic verses of the Quran are extensively seen in lighting and décor.
•Chandeliers are often used throughout the mosque.
•Steel carvings in calligraphy is also used in decorating the walls.
•The flooring is made up of marble.
•On the rear side it provides space for performing ablution.
•When fully lit, it gives a spectacular view both on the interior as well as exterior.
It also houses a congregation room and a kitchen.
The external boundary of the mosque is covered with landscape.
 LIVE CASE STUDY 3
1) MASJID-E-BILAL,RT NAGAR

Area – 4410sq.ft
Location – RT Nagar,Bangalore Capacity – 1000people
Architect – AJ Studio Dome – 1 domes present.
Minarets – 2 nos.
 DESIGN FEATURES
•The basement has separate exit and entry ramps, a dedicated shoe room, toilets, place for
ablution along with a small space to offer prayers with 40 people capacity.
•The ground floor has a welcome lobby, a small office and a dedicated office for the Imam along
with a big hall for 252 people.
•The first and second floor accommodates 504 people along with a dedicated space for ablution
and washrooms.
•The third floor accommodates 220 people along with the student rooms for the boarding scholars
of the madrasa.
Basement Ground floor 1st and 2nd 3rd