Islamic Architecture

Islamic Architecture is an architectural style that pertains to the religion of Islam, which may either stem from Muslim majority countries or countries which have either been conquered or highly influenced by Islam. Its style has evolved from Ancient empires such as Mesopotamia and Rome, and from not so distant centuries, they have been influenced by Chinese and Mughal Architecture. Islamic Architecture is famous for its symmetrical silhouettes, radiant colors and rich patterns which have all been key parts of its image, since the 7th century. 

Islamic Architecture is a compilation from several countries spanning across continents. There remains a consistency with its ideals and the ethos of its design and feeling it creates to the viewer. From its main association to Mosques, to other religious or secular structures such as tombs, palaces, public buildings and forts. 

On this post, my main focus would be on domes and the Ottoman Empire but I will briefly expound on other characteristics of Islamic Architecture.

Some characteristics of Islamic Architecture include:

Arches - 

Usually planted in halls ways or entrances to define the room and used for the distribution of load. These vary in types according to their design, such as, Pointes Arches Ogee Arches, Horseshoe Arches, and Multifoil Arches.

Muqarnas - 

Muqarnas first appeared in ancient Mesopotamia and north eastern Iraq and was begotten from the Arab word 'Qarnasi' which means intricate work and is used to symbolize vastness and intricacies of the Islamic ideology. It appears as part of vaults and is used in the underside of domes pendentives arches and others. 

Minarets - 

These are forms of towers which act as a visual aid for individuals directing them towards the Mosque and as a focal point durinislamic call to prayer. Their numbers of these can vary from 1 - 6 around the mosque they can either be thick, have spiral ramps or thin pencil like spirals and its base is usually square in shape.

Decorative details/Arabesque art - 

Decoration and ornamentation is a vital part of Islamic architecture. Illustrating complex geometry with repetition of polygons circles triangles and other shapes forming beauty and harmony in design. These were often done lavishly, with jewel like tiles, exquisite calligraphy, geometric mosaics and many others.

Courtyards - 

Courtyards are an integral part of Islamic architecture, belonging to mosques and palaces and can host large gatherings of people for festive occasions or for prayer. They also feature fountains which help people perform ablution before prayers.

Gardens - 

The Holy Qur'an associates gardens as paradises on earth, so people have used these as a place for relaxation and recollection of serenity. The feature ponds and fountains made of marble and other stones embellished with lilies and lotuses. These were often done in a quadrilateral layout. 

Inwans - 

This is an arcuated hall, rectangular in shape with 3 walls on three sides and an open one. It features vaulted roofing like maquarnas and at its entrance is decorated with friezes of calligraphy and glazed geometric tile work. This arched portal is often used for the entrance to courtyards. 

Domes

 A dome is a hemispherical structure which appear as part as roofs and ceilings, made in materials such as stone, timber, glass or metal. The dome is a symbol of power and advancements in mathematics and engineering in architecture. As described by Ernest J. Grube on his thoughts of Islamic architecture. “The dome appears to be a general symbol, signifying power, the royal city, the focal point of assembly; it can therefore serve both religious and secular purposes. Its outward visible appearance does not truly help us to understand, interpret or identify any building.”

Domes also have an ethereal aura to them from the smooth perfection of its hemispherical shape outwardly, to its inward vault which creates an alluring sense of endlessness and infinite height. James Dickie opines, from his book “Allah and Eternity: Mosques, Madrasas and Tombs,” that, "The dome is, of course, a cosmic symbol in every religious tradition; and symbolically, in Islam the dome represents the vault of heaven in the same way as the garden prefigures Paradise.”

Ottoman Architecture - 

Ottoman Architecture being established in the 16th century, got its main features namely from the Architecture of Anatolia and the Christian Byzantine Architecture. The architecture of Anatolia was the complex development of new forms in architecture between the 14th and early 15th centuries especially at Manisa, Iznik, Bursa, and Selçuk. Th Mosques, mausoleums, madrasahs and several buildings, some housing dervishes (members of mystical fraternities) and other for Holy men. These buildings continued in the development of domed, central planned structures across the Ottoman empire marking the beginning of early Ottoman empire. Byzantine Architecture was a major source of inspiration for with the Hagia Sofia as its main embodiment. Its mark can be seen in features such as the use of stone and brick together or the use of pendentive stone construction. Another influence would be the early contact the Ottomans had with the Italians. 

Ottoman architecture can be divided into 3 periods. The early Ottoman empire, the classical period and westernization. 

During the classical periods it was paramount to eliminate unnecessary details in building construction as buildings had clean logical plans and elevation. Buildings retained their iconic central dome, a series of half domes, buttresses and minarets, all features symbolic of Ottoman architecture. the most prominent Architect in Ottoman history was Mimar Sinan who was responsible for most of the buildings in the 16th century. His focus was on the simplicity, character and finding a balance with open spaces for the heavily built structures. 

Westernization saw the of Baroque and rococo, as buildings become more embellished with decorative features. This was viewed as a period of Ottoman revival as new materials such as reinforced concrete, iron, steel and glass were incorporated into building - as well as new building techniques. Vernacular architecture was also incorporated in some regions but pointed arches, tile decoration, wide roof overhangs with brackets, and domes were retained.