Islamic Architecture

Architectural Character

Architectural Character

refers to all those visual aspects and physical features that comprise the appearance of every historic building.

Architectural Element

focuses on the fragments, parts or composition of the rich and complex architectural collage.

Islamic Architecture

• One of the world's most celebrated building traditions.

• Known for its radiant colors, rich patterns, and symmetrical silhouettes, this distinctive approach has been popular in the Muslim world since the 7th century.

Islamic architecture

Saracenic Architecture or Muslim/ Muhammadan Architecture

Function

refers to the purpose/use of a Islamic building or structure.

Mosque

denotes a Muslim house of worship. The word evolved from the Arabic term masjid, which means "place of prostration."

Masjid

"place of prostration."

Tomb

For burial/memorial or mausoleum purposes

Palace

Serves as a home or residential purpose

Fortress

A large building or complex of buildings used as a military stronghold and use as protection for invaders.

Madrasa

is an Arabic word used for a place of learning. It could be any type of school or college.

Building for learning and education.

Minaret

A tower-like structure featuring small windows and an enclosed staircase

to allow the muezzin to call worshippers to prayer from an elevated point.

Bulbous Dome

• "Qubba" in Arabic term

• Bulbous or Onion Dome

• as a symbolic representation of the vault of heaven.

Squinches

• supports under the dome.

Muqarnas Vaulting

• Often compared to stalactites or honeycomb.

• sculptural ceilings that contrast the surrounding tiles.

Arches

• Another fixture of Islamic architecture is the arch.

• Evident in both entrances and interiors, Islamic arches are categorized into four main styles:

Decorarive Detail

• Islamic architecture is an attention to ornamental detail.

• jewel-like tiles arranged into geometric mosaics, patterned brickwork and kaleidoscopic stones, and exquisite calligraphic adornments.

Masjid

the individual

Jami

the congregation

Idgah

the total population of a town

Qibla (kible)

shall have a clear indication of the direction of Mecca

Mecca

• officially called Makkah al-Mukarramah

Iman

• The one who leads the congregation to prayer in Islamic religion.

Muezzin

who proclaims the call to prayer (adhān) on Friday for the public worship and the call to the daily prayer (ṣalāt) five times a day, at dawn, noon, midafternoon, sunset, and nightfall.

Adhan

• The Arabic word for "announcement".

Quiblah or Kibla

• Prayer wall of the Mosque

Mihrab

• Semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the qibla, the direction that Muslims should face when praying.

• It is the most decorated part of the mosque.

• It is a niche oriented towards Mecca.

Minbar

pulpit from which the imam delivers his sermons.

Ivan or Iivan

large vaulted portal opening onto the central coutvard od a mosque