Contemporary Architecture in Islamic Context
Dr: Omar Amireh. Stu: Al-Bayan Ahmad Omar.
Revolution & Evolution chart of Islamic buildings in Islamic architecture.
Abstract
This research focuses on developing the classification of Islamic buildings in Islamic architecture, and aims to enhance and reduce the time in recording, archiving, and understanding buildings that use and apply Islamic architecture methods.
Our main goal is to create an architectural library based on volumes of Islamic architecture elements that are organized descriptively and chronologically according to the history of Islamic architecture. Islamic architecture contains a huge amount of information that is not classified according to eras and styles. Categories used include styles, characters, construction methods, structural elements, and architectural components. This part focuses on identifying the fundamentals of Islamic architecture informatics by building a framework of models on research plans. It provides a blueprint and important data such as identifying the different models, shapes, building forms, structure, and ornamentation of Islamic architecture in order to identify the building.
Introduction
Islamic Architecture throughout history has been characterized by distinctive features that depict regional variations in both Islamic and non-Islamic countries. These variations are visible in various Mosques, houses and gardens which utilize distinctive arches, tile designs, towers and interior spaces. Islamic architecture is a vessel of Islamic civilization and it is important that the reciprocity of these two facets be recognized.
During this research, a hypothetical case (architectural work) bearing certain characteristics and features will be studied, and the analysis of these studies helps us to:
-Ability to see a relationship between phenomena, context, and people.
-Flexibility to collect data through various means.
-Ability to capture the context and lived reality.
-Flexibility to be used at various points in a research project, including pilot research.
-Ability to explore deeper causes of phenomena.
-Ease of explaining results to a non-specialist audience.
Classification Case Studies
Each hypothetical study case (architectural work) bears certain characteristics and features. Each case is located in a specific place according to the variables specified within the chart.
Case Study 1:
A building characterized by a horseshoe arch in its facades, and towering minarets consisting of balconies on either side and thick, quiet, spiral staircases, and the base of these minarets is square in shape.
Case Study 2
A building with a hemispherical structural roof (buttressed dome), containing a skylight that allows natural light to enter, was influenced by the pre-existing Byzantine dome model in Ottoman architecture.
It also contains Muqarnas, Muqarnas resemble stalactites or honeycombs and become the 3d sculptural ornamentations that often appear as a part of vaults. The underside of domes, pendentives, arches, vaults, squinches etcetera usually host the Muqarnas.
Case Study 3
A building containing gardens with a quadrangular layout, the gardens display water features such as large marble fountains and ponds decorated with lotuses and lilies. The building contains an iwan ,Iwan, a rectangular hall with walls on three sides and an open side, has a vaulted roof. Pishtaq, the entrance of the Iwan, is decorated with friezes of calligraphy, glazed tilework, and geometric. The arched portal often opens into a courtyard.
Case Study 4
A building containing large courtyards that can house large gatherings of people during festive occasions and prayers. Arcades surround these courtyards. These courtyards feature fountains for the people to perform ablution before prayers. And the building also containing a column hall. Column halls entered the Islamic world during the Umayyad state. The shape of this hall is rectangular, and the columns are arranged according to a grid pattern. The columns provide the impression of a boundless expanse, adding to the spiritual metaphor and visual aesthetics that narrate the description of the essential work behind the science, technologies and civilizations that existed.
Casestudy1
Casestudy2
Casestudy3
Casestudy4
chart of Islamic
buildings
Classification
Architecture
Form Function Structure Materials Arches Domes Ceilings Ornaments Columns Featured Systems Phenotype Space Content Context
Innovation Acoustics Lighting Style Historical Chronology Volume Genotype Openings Shares Points General concept Systems
Analysis
• Each share is affected by the main idea of each study case, and is also related to the architectural period in which this building was built, and the Islamic era in which it was and passed.
• As for each of the colored points, it is related to the extent of the impact of this system on this building, whether in the Genotype or the Phenotype, the genotype becomes the concept of architectural genotype.
Phenotype & Genotype Methodology
The general objective of this work is to enhance and realize the vocabulary of Islamic architecture, the proportions of the design, and the spatial arrangement along with its arrangement, and to indicate the importance of the influence of each of these previously mentioned changes on the building and its identity.
Conclusion
Islamic architecture contains a great deal of characteristic information about design concepts, spatial features, forms, facades, and building functions that should be made available to designers and engineers. Islamic architecture is proposed in this paper as a means of producing a digital library of case study models that include accurate details and descriptions of Islamic architecture and philosophy. The stage of classifying data for Islamic architecture is an essential step for creating a digital library that includes typical data for the most famous Islamic eras. Classification is based on historical chronology, location, vocabulary, style, and other relevant details. The information contained in this classification is intended to enlighten designers with a comprehensive overview of relevant data relating to Islamic construction.
Characteristics of Islamic Architecture
• Islamic architecture used for the building traditions of multiple states since the 7th century, where Islam was the main religion or a major cultural influence. Though usually associated with religious buildings, Islamic architecture encompasses fortresses, palaces, tombs, public buildings such as schools, and smaller structures such as fountains, public baths, and domestic architecture. Together with the religion of Islam, it spread from the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East throughout the world, incorporating and influencing various cultures. With its towering minarets, horseshoe and pointed arches, muqarnas vaulting, and ornamental details, Islamic architecture brought unique contributions to the history of architecture. Following the examples of the Dome of the Rock, Taj Mahal, and Alhambra, its tradition continues today.
• Just like Islamic art in general, Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of styles, designs, and construction of both secular and religious buildings in Islamic societies. The earliest Islamic architecture was taken from existing styles and patterns of other contemporary building traditions, developing them further and contributing new elements to the history of architecture.
• Not many buildings were done in the Islamic architectural style in the first generations after the prophet Muhammad’s death. The first caliphs after the death of the Prophet expanded the Islamic State beyond the Arabian Peninsula into the lands of other cultures. The stretching of the Rashidun and Umayyad Caliphates started the process of cultural assimilation, growth, and renewal of existing traditions.
• Soon, an Islamic style emerged from localized Egyptian, Byzantine, and Sasanian models. This style is characterized by ordered repetition, radiating structures, and rhythmic patterns. Other significant features include columns, piers, and arches, organized and interwoven with alternating niches and colonnades. Considerable Byzantine influences can be seen in Islamic monuments like the Dome of the Rock and the Qasayr ‘Amrah baths. Sasanian Persia also had a formative influence on Islamic Art, giving legacies like the iwan (one-side open bay) and chahartaqs (domed kiosks).
References
https://www.thecollector.com/islamic-architecture-characteristics/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283762698_BIM-Driven_Islamic_Construction_Part_1Digital_Classification#pf4
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Timeline-shows-the-development-of-Islamic-era-in-Cairo-EgyptSource-https_fig1_327691765
https://omrania.com/inspiration/evolution-mosque-architecture/ https://issuu.com/unleashkbr/docs/dissertation_final
https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-styles/a2589-10-distinctive-elements-of-islamicarchitecture/