20 Principles of Islamic Architecture by Akrem Ahmed

Principles In Islamic Architecture Akrem Ahmed

Preface Architecture: the art of using design to make or construct buildings. This book will talk about the most universalized principles that make up architecture. Each one of these principles the book will be diving into, all impact the world of architecture in each of its own unique ways. Each of the principles are all important for architectural design as each principle cover parts of architecture unique to its own characteristic.

This book is designed to grasp the attentions of all future architects no matter what stage you are at in your architectural journey. With that in mind, this book also further uses the vital principles and relate it to a paramount architectural style. This is the case because it will help the reader understand how these principles are important for the realm of architecture and how these principles each make up architecture in its own way. The 20 principles will all relate back to the architectural style of Islamic Architecture. This book will explore how each of the 20 principles relate to each of the architectural structures that branch under the architectural style Islamic Architecture.

Table of Contents Mass

Transformation

Symmetry

Abstraction

Circulation

Color

Solid / Void

Grids

Planes

Dialogue

Shadow

Light

Decomposition

Datum

Geometry

Materials

Diagramming

Representation

Scale

Hierarchy

MASS

Any structure, building or object is constructed of mass. Mass is the key principle that allows architects to create intricate designs. The making of the structures, specifically the additive and subtractive processes in a building are caused by Mass. When subtracting things from a structure, we can see the thickness or thinness of these layers due to mass. The layering and stacking of shapes and structures on top of each other is possible because of mass and because of that the principle of mass can result to creating compelling and fascinating architecture. Mass is one of the main components in Islamic Architecture. This principle is used in nearly all of Islamic Architecture like mosques. On mosques, mass is used to add domes, a prominent Islamic symbol, on top of each other. Specifically on the roofs of mosques, additive features of mass are built to create domes to represent and symbolize the structure as a mosque. Mass is also utilized as a subtractive process for courtyards.

In this mosque, there is one central dome and then multiple half domes stacked on top and surrounding the central dome. Courtyard represents a subtractive feature of mass

Sehzade Mosque, Istanbul Turkey Architect: Mimar Sinan

TRANSFORMATION

Transformations are an important principle for architecture because they associate with the context of the structure and also the overall success of that structure. Structures last for a long time because of the transformations that were involved in that design. In Islamic Architecture, buildings go through transformations because the building holds some type of religious symbol and the architect doesn’t want to erase that important piece of the building so whenever a building is either getting old or something goes wrong, they will just transform it. Transformations can be literal or implied. It can be something small like transforming the light fixtures or the air conditioning or something big like changing the exterior of the building.

The Kaa’ba, Mecca Saudi Arabia, 1920. The Box(Kaa’ba) was not centered in the middle and there was nothing surrounding it.

The Kaa’ba, Mecca Saudi Arabia, 1937 Transformed it and added porticoes around the Kaa’ba. Also, transformed the Kaa’ba to the center of the structure.

The Kaa’ba, Mecca Saudi Arabia, 2012 Added an extra space, where the domes, a prominent Islamic symbol, are located. Also, took out the porticoes, and added the domes as well.

The Kaa’ba, Mecca Saudi Arabia Architect: Abraham and Ismail Renovated by the Quraysh Tribe

SYMMETRY

Symmetry is a common and generally used principles by architects and designers to help designs look more visually appealing to the viewer. The Vitruvian Triad contains three components that satisfies a structure to classify it as architecture. Venustas is one of them and it technically means the architectural design must have a beautiful exterior. Symmetry is a key principle that helps satisfy an architectural structure to look visually appealing or contain Venustas. Islamic Architecture uses a great deal of symmetry in its art, patterns and structures. In Islamic Architecture it is favorable if symmetry is present in its art. In the religion of Islam, one wants any building or design that is made to represent balance. Anything that is created in Islam, must be created with pure intentions and beauty. With balance and beauty being important in Islamic Architecture, Islam believes that incorporating Symmetry would be the best way to satisfy balance and beauty in Islamic Architecture.

This structure contains symmetry all around, constructed with minarets, arches and domes to construct a symmetrical structure. There is also a symmetrical garden in the front of the building split by a river. The garden itself is symmetrical as well.

Taj Mahal, Agra India Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahouri

Abstraction

Abstraction is a technique that allows architects to break down and find the main components and essential characteristics that make up an architectural structure. The principle of abstraction allows us to better understand the design and how the design is ultimately made. It is an important component in architecture as every design contains some sort of abstraction. Abstraction also allows architects to further complete the design as abstraction exhibits the fundamental characteristics of a design. In Islamic Architecture, grids, shapes and patterns makes up the fundamental design when implementing the principle of abstraction. Abstraction breaks down the key pieces that make up Islamic Architecture and as you examine any type of Islamic Architectural style you’ll detect that they all contain grids, shapes and patterns as they all make up the building blocks in how Islamic Architecture is organized.

These are some examples of patterns that are present in many Islamic architectural designs. They are placed on objects like the dome, minarets, mihrabs and many more. These are fundamental pieces of Islamic architecture located on every single design. The picture on the far right shows how it is created then the two photos on the left of it shows how it looks complete.

From the ceiling of the Tomb of Hafez in Shiraz, Iran Architect: Maxime Siroux

Circulation

This is a sketch drawn by me of the plan Lloyd’s London

Circulation is the concept of how one would move in a building. The involvement of circulation allows an architectural site to satisfy Utilitas of the Vitruvian Triad. A site must involve circulation in order for it to be classified as a successful architectural structure. The building blocks of all buildings is determined on how movement is circulated throughout the building. The way people move in a building is taken into account when spaces are made in a building. In Islamic Architecture, each building is made dependent on how the circulation will flow throughout the building. Thats why in most buildings, there is a courtyard before the main entrance of the building and large spaces and hallways are also present to steer the viewer as they walk deeper into the structure.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi UAE Architect : Yusef Abdelki

Right image of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Color

The principle of color is used in architecture to analyze an object in greater detail in a way you wouldn’t be able to analyze without color. Color in architecture will show how things compare or contrast with each other. Color will convey certain relationships that one wouldn’t notice without the use of color. Color sometimes is used to further distinguish a certain space or object from one another. In Islamic Architecture color is used to highlight certain architectural objects and they’re uses. Color is also used to have certain things stand out in the building over others to show a sense of hierarchy. Color as a whole in Islamic Architecture is expressed to show beauty in architecture or how important certain designs are.

Nasir Al Mulk, Shiraz Iran Architects: Mohammad Hosseini Naqqash Shirazi, Mohammad Hasan Memar, Mohammad Reza Kashipaz Right image of the Nasir Al Mulk

Solidand void

This is a sketch by me of the Saloua Raouda Choucair’s sculpture and the sketch shows that the shaded in areas represent the solids and additive masses of the object and the white areas are the negative masses of the object or the void.

There is no such thing as architecture without the principle of solid and void. Buildings and structures are made up of positive and negative masses. No object is defined and brought to ones attention without solid and void. Ultimately though there is no solid without void and no void without solid. An additive mass isn’t noticed without the presence of a subtractive mass and vice versa. In Architecture the void highlights the solid mass and gives the object more meaningful and significant to the structure. In Islamic Architecture, solid and voids are always present in Islamic Architecture. They are used to illustrate specific meanings to the object and they also demonstrate hierarchy in Islamic Architecture. For examples, domes and courtyards are examples of solids and voids in Islamic Architecture. The dome is highlighted in Islamic Architecture so one can notice the dome before they notice everything else and also domes are an important characteristic of Islamic Architecture and the same goes for Courtyards as they are used as voids.

Sulaymanie Mosque, Istanbul Turkey Architect: Mimar Sinan

Right image of the Sulaymanie Mosque

GRIDS

The front facing grid represents as the foundational piece to use to make a larger and more developed design. The sides and the top of the model that are made are dependent on this base grid.

A grid is important in architecture as they represent the fundamental building block of an architectural structure. Grids help in arranging and identifying how the structure will be built. Grids also help with making designs more proportional and also they help with scaling objects properly. All architectural structures uses grids to help build a foundational design to further build a larger design that is dependent on that grid that was created. In Islamic Architecture grids are heavily used to help with proportionality for the designs. Grids help with locating where to put all of the architectural characteristics that are important in Islamic Architecture like minarets, mihrabs and domes on a building. The grids also help with organizing structures within a building like creating a courtyard, situating hallways with multiple colonnades and arches and also architectural patterns when identifying geometrical shapes.

The Mosque represents a grid that is situated in the courtyard. As you can see the courtyard connects the whole mosque from all sides. The grid serves as the foundational organizational system that identifies how the structure will be built, with the mosque itself being built around the grid of the courtyard.

Malek Mosque, Kerman Iran No Architect noted The mosque was built at the time of Turan Shah I, Kerman Seljuk Sultanate

Right image of the Malek Mosque

Planes

The plane added to this structure produces the principle of shadow and the plane helps emphasize the many reoccurring linear elements that this structure consists of.

In architecture, planes are used to define an empty voided space and fill it in to produce a solid closed space. The purpose of using planes are to create shadows that are not present in that given space without the planes. In areas where objects of the same thing are saturated of each other, planes do a good job in highlighting those elements in its own way and helps contrast those elements from one another, like objects that consists of many lines and linear shapes, the addition of planes help emphasize those elements. Planes are found usually in the large gathering spaces of the inside Islamic Architectural buildings, specifically where the Muslims pray. The planes helps all of the colonnades maintain some support in the mosques. Planes are also used to emphasize certain spaces in the interior of the mosques as some areas of the mosque are different then the others. Lastly, planes help in producing a sense of shadow and a closed space. Thats important because having closed spaces produces quiet spaces and that is a necessity in mosques.

Plane resembling as the roof of this space to help support the colonnades together and also to help produce a sense of a closed and quiet space.

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca Morocco Architect: Michel Pinseau Right Image of the Hasan II Mosque

Dialogue

The recomposition of the SIS Building in London England by the architect Terry Farrell

Architecture isn’t only the process of a building being built. It lives and exists long after it is built and how it interacts with society. Buildings are apart of the society and they function and operate based off how society treats it, and that is called dialogue. Once the structure is built, it is a product of the people that live around there and the dialogue of the building helps the structure function and get utilized in society in a successful way. In Islamic Architecture, dialogue is used to involve the community and the structure in some type of way. The uses of the structures may change in order to involve the environment even if it means changing the audience as a whole. For example, in Islamic Architecture, if there aren’t any Muslims in the area, the Islamic Architecture’s dialogue may be changed to a museum to attract the viewers of that community. Sometimes, The environment as well has a huge effect on how dialogue is maneuvered as they may impact interior or exterior renovations of that structure.

This mosque represents dialogue because throughout its existence it transformed from a mosque to a museum and then back to a mosque again in order for it to sustain some relevancy towards the community.

Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque, Shusha Azerbaijan Architect: Karbalayi Safikhan Karabakhi

Right image of the Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque

Shadow

In Architecture, shadows are present to define and highlight a given space. With shadow always being present due to the principle of light, architects use shadow to contrast light in a given structure. In architecture light is a common feature that is showcased in architectural structures so the use of shadows allow certain spaces to stand out more then the rest. Shadows also give certain spaces certain functions that other spaces cant replicate and that is important in architecture as every space has its own context. In Islamic Architecture, shadow is used to define a given space. In mosques, the principle of shadow give certain spaces specific contexts. For example, in mosques, shadows emphasize quiet, closed and dark spaces and that is important since prayer is commonly done in that type of environment. In Islamic Architecture shadows are formed from colonnades, arches, mihrabs and other prominent architectural characteristics. You also tend to see in Islamic Architecture that shadows are present once you exit the courtyard and go into the prayer halls. The purpose of that is to highlight the importance of the courtyard as it is the central space and also to show that the courtyard is the loud gathering space while the shadow spaces are the quiet prayer spaces.

Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Pakistan Architect: Nawab Zain Yar Jang Bahadur

Light

Just like Shadow, Light is a important principle in Architecture. Every structure in architecture contains Light. The principle of Light gives certain spaces in buildings a certain context and function. As oppose to Shadow, Light produces a open and bright space so it defines that space and makes it stand out from every other space in that structure. In Islamic Architecture, Light is used to give spaces in a building fundamental and specific roles. We see Light used in the most populated and loud spaces in the structure. For example, in mosques we tend to see Light in the courtyard spaces or the hallway spaces. The courtyard and hallways tend to have the most circulation and movement so the principle of Light is used to make it a bright and loud space. Also, the spaces that tend to have the most light tend to stand out and are highlighted when compared to all the other spaces in the structure and light does that.

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat Oman Architect: Mohamed Saleh Makiya Right Image of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Decomposition

The process of decomposition is a pretty common action done on architecture. Usually after a structure is built not many architectural structures remain intact. This is the case due to it is abandoned and the structure isn’t used anymore and they decompose and recreate another structure that is relevant to society at that time. Decomposition also takes place in architecture when a structure is too old to remain intact and the materials used on the structure aren’t strong enough to withstand time. Structures under the style of Islamic Architecture have been around for many years. This is the case because of decomposition. Many structures in Islamic Architecture have been decomposed because the materials that were used were eventually decaying and causing the structure to collapse so architects decide to deconstruct the structure as a whole and create a new structure. Also, many structures that classify under Islamic Architecture are due to it not being used anymore. Many of the structures that were built were made for religious purposes but as time went by the religious ideologies changed or the religion wasn’t practiced anymore in that area. With that architects decompose those structures and create new ones that express successful dialogue to the community and the environment.

Before

After

This mosque was once a Hindu temple but was decomposed and was remade into a mosque. Islamic Architectural features were added to the structure like the domes.

Shahi Eidgah Mosque, Mantura India No Architect noted Mosque was funded by Nawab Abdul Samad Khan

Datum

The windows in the drawing represent the Datum in this structure. This a drawing by me of the School in Paspels in Paspels Switzerland by the architect Valerio Olgiati.

In Architecture, there is always a central element of the design that is related to every aspect of the building, this is called Datum. The Datum is the fundamental element in a building that connects all of the spaces, shapes and objects in the building together. The Datum’s purpose is to highlight the primary point of the building and unify dissimilar objects together. Datums can connect the design figuratively and literally as they are important elements that are needed in order for a design to exist. In Islamic Architecture, Datum’s are used to organized the space of the design. Datum’s highlight the most important design or space in the structure and have everything else revolve around that space. Datum’s tend to be some sort of geometrical design in Islamic Architecture. You also will tend to see courtyards, hallways and columns as the primary and objectifying space that relates to every part of the building. In Islamic Architecture every other space is dependent on the Datum and without the Datum the design wouldn’t exist.

Agha Bozorg Mosque, Kashan Iran Architect: Haj Sa’ban-ali

Geometry

Every design in Architecture contains some amount of geometry. Without the principle of Geometry we would not be able to create the designs that we can make. Geometry is the fundamental element that allows us to come up with the ideas to make creative designs. Geometry also allows us to utilize other principles of architecture in our designs as well . The shapes, patterns and linear objects are intricate geometrical elements that help us produce these architectural structures and designs. In Islamic Architecture, geometry is a dominant element that is conveyed in its designs. Islamic Architecture contains patterns that are made up of geometrical figures. Those patterns of geometrical figures are located all over the structure and design. Geometry isn’t just used for decorative purposes in design, they are also used to symbolize meaning. Specific patterns and geometrical shapes are intended for just Islamic Architecture like specifically Arabesque Art. Geometry is also used to represent a unifying element in Islamic Architecture like the shapes of the dome and the shapes of the courtyards, and muqarnas.

Shiekh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan Iran Architects: Baha’ al-din al-’Amili, Ustad Mohammad Reza Isfahani Right image of the Shiekh Loftollah Mosque

Materials

The material of clay allows the object to be transformed easily

Materials are a key principle that define the context of a design in architecture. In architecture, we design buildings for certain uses that will involve the community and the certain materials a design consists of determine what the use of the building will be for. Also, in architecture materials are used to make architectural designs so without them architecture would not exist. The principles of material is an important element of architecture because it defines how a design will perform. In Islamic Architecture, materials are used to represent how that part of the structure is used. For example, the material of stone is often used to represent columns inside the buildings. The material of glass is used to represent clerestory windows and also to produce light and shadow to allow it to flow throughout the structure. Materials are also used to interact with the environment. You tend to see marble and stone in newer mosques and newer countries and communities while you see clay and other older materials in older communities.

High quality margraf marble is used for the materials of the mosque.

Irek Mosque, Kazan Russia Architect: Evgeny Bolotny

Diagramming

The principle of Diagramming is used in architecture to break down spaces and designs of a building to further understand the context of the building. Diagrams help the architect and viewers of the design to further understand the layout of the design and to also understand how each of the different spaces in the design are used. In Islamic Architecture diagramming is used to make sure all of the Islamic architectural characteristics are used and present in the design as those are fundamental pieces that make up an Islamic architectural design. Diagramming helps spaces in Islamic architecture to have a certain purpose and for it to be used properly and consistently. As a whole diagramming is used to break down and organized characteristics of a building to make it easier to distinguish and identify,

Great Mosque of Kairouan, Kairouan Tunisia Architect: Commissioned by Uqba Ibn Nafi Top image of the Great Mosque of Kairouan

Representation

In Architecture before an architect builds a design and structure they must draw it out first in plan, sections and/or elevations. This action is called representation. Architects simply don’t build buildings from scratch they build buildings from the drawings they made. Since this is the case, representation is extremely important because without the principle of representation the designs could not be made. In Islamic Architecture, it is the same process. In order for a mosque or any design that classifies under Islamic architecture to be built, a representation of the design must be drawn first. This is the case because it will allow the architect to further understand what they are about to design and the principle of representation helps with that. In Islamic Architecture, geometry and grids are a common feature along with plans, sections and elevations are represented and made for the layout of the building before it is built.

These are section and plan drawings that showcase representation of the mosque.

Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, Cairo Egypt Architect: Muhammad ibn Bailick al-Muhseini

Scale

Scale is a fundamental piece in architecture that highlights relationships of a given space in a design. Scale can be how big an object or space is or how small an object is in relation to another object. Scale is used in buildings to define how important something in comparison to something else. Scale is used to show a sense of hierarchy in a building. In Islamic Architecture, architects use scale to highlight the important architectural characteristics that are present in Islamic architecture. For example, we tend to see minarets and domes as the biggest objects when looking at the exterior of architectural buildings. That is the case because those objects shows a sense of importance to the overall structure as they are fundamental characteristics that are needed in Islamic Architecture.

The dome of the mosque being the largest and only object so in relation to everything around the dome it is the biggest and highlighted object.

Masjid Al-Aqsa, Jerusalem Architect: Abbasid caliph al-Mansur Mosque was destroyed then rebuilt by Abbasid caliph al-Mansur

Hierarchy

Hierarchy in architecture creates a sense of order for the objects in a specific design. This is important for architecture because it is key element that organizes a design. The hierarchy of a structure produce how a structure will be used and how each of the spaces and objects of the structure will be used and portrayed. In Islamic architecture, the hierarchy of the structure is used to identify and distinguish the rooms and spaces that are the most important, which are the prayer halls and certain spaces. The hierarchy of a structure isn’t necessarily the biggest but it is the most important and fundamental part of the structure. In Islamic architecture though the biggest space tends to be the space that is at the top of the hierarchy and that is the prayer halls. The most important spaces in Islamic Architecture and the centralized spaces in the design and every other space flows through that, the principle of hierarchy achieves that.

The domes and minarets follow a hierarchy with the largest dome in the center and at the top with the smaller ones surrounding it and the bigger minarets that are surrounding it.

Camlica Mosque, Istanbul Turkey Architects: Bahar Mızrak and Hayriye Gül Totu.

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