Islamic archi.ppt [compatibility mode]

A R C H I T E C T U R E O F T H E I S L A M I C W O R L D

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w

ww.cadzation.com Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com

http://www.cadzation.com/purchase.htm



Whether there is such a thing as Islamic Architecture?

Do we mean the architecture produced for & by Muslims to serve Islam as a religion, referring onlyto that architecture which did serve a religious function – the mosque, the tomb, the madrasa?

Or do we mean all the architecture produced in Muslim lands?

And if this should be so – what does Islamic mean in this context?

If Islamic is not an adjective defining a religious quality, should it be understood as a word thatidentifies a special kind of architecture - of a civilization determined by special qualities inherent inIslam as a cultural phenomenon?

Does such an architecture exist?

Is there an architecture that can be recognized as different from those created outside Islam?

We need to define those qualities that set Islamic architecture apart fromNon- Islamic architecture.

Elements in Islamic architecture that appear to be typical – have to be explained as expressions ofculture created by Islam, differing in fundamental attitudes from non-Islamic creations.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Concentration on the Interior - Focus on the enclosed space, on the inside as opposed tothe outside

Muslim house – organized about an interior courtyard – it presents to the outside world highwindowless walls interrupted only by a single low door.

Monumental structures – MosqueCompletely hidden - surrounded by secondary adjacent buildings

Lack of exterior indications - of shape, size, function,meaning of a building.

Rarely does the façade give any indication of the inner organization or purpose of the building.

Thus an Islamic building cannot be understood by its exterior.

The dome appears to be a general symbol – signifying power – the royal city – the focal point ofassembly – it can serve both religious & secular functions.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Hidden architecture - Architecture that truly exists, not when seen as a monument or symbol visibleto all and from all sides, but only when entered, penetrated and experienced from within. This maybe considered as the main form of truly Islamic Architecture.

Some conclusions can be drawn

Very few building types in the Muslim world articulate the interior space on theirexteriors.

These buildings are either totally functional – bridges, watch towers or true exceptionsto the rule

FORM & FUNCTION

Closely related to the concept of “hidden architecture” – striking and almost totalabsence of a specific architectural form for specific function.

There are very few forms that cannot be adapted for a variety of functions. Converselya Muslim building serving a specific function can assume a variety of forms.

Four Iwan courtyard structure – these structures function equally well as Palaces,Mosques, Madrasas, Caravanserai’s, Baths or Private dwellings at different times &different places – infact they were built to serve all these functions

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




CHARACTERISTICS OF ISLAMIC ARHCITECTURE

1. An architecture that does not change its form easily, if at all according to functionaldemands, but rather tends to adapt functions into preconceived forms

2. Islamic buildings rarely display an axial quality. Actual physical direction of thebuilding is different from its functional direction. Hence there is always a lack ofdirection or focus

3. The very possibility of enlarging a given structure in almost any direction byadding units of a conceivable size & shape totally disregarding the form of theoriginal structure is a characteristic that Islamic architecture shares with no otherculture.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




INTERIOR SPACE

• It is the most important element of Islamic architecture.• Most decoration is reserved for the interior.• Decorations serves many functions – main – creation of non-tectonic values, the dissolution ofall those elements that emphasize the structure.• It aims at a visual negation of the reality of weight and the necessity of support.• Various means by which the effect of weightlessness is created• Tendency of an infinite repetition of individual units.• Merging of spaces

The Muslim concept of din or religion embraces 3 elements – Iman,Ibadat & Ishan

Belief, religious obligation & right doingDogma, ritual & ethics

Fundamental to Iman or dogma is belief in God. Islam is the religion of unity on all levels – UMMA -a God centered universe. Attributes of God add up to a total of 99, served from 99 names of Godpresent in the Quran. Muslim rosary hence has 99 beads.

Islam is frequently translated as “submission”. It is a contractual relationship b/w man & Godwhereby man acknowledges the overlordship of God.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Mosque – building erected over an invisible axis. Mecca as the hub, with lines drawnfrom all the mosques in the world forming the spokes.

These lines converge on a city & within that city on a point. The city is Mecca, & thepoint is the Kaba at its centre. Mecca the birthplace of Muhammed – Islam’s holy city &the goal of Pilgrimage.

KABA

• The Kaba is a hollow cube of stone.

• It is the axis mundi of Islamic cosmology.

• It is diagonally oriented with its corners facing the cardinal points.

• It is the centre of the world – primordial symbol of the intersection b/w the verticalaxis of the spirit & the horizontal plane of phenomenal existence.

• During the pilgrimage ceremony the pilgrim circumbulates the Kaba 7 times.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




THE MOSQUEThe mosque is a building erected around a single horizontal axis – Qibla that Terminates in Mecca.

Reduced to essentials therefore a mosque is no more than a wall at right angles to the Qibla axis andbehind or rather before the wall there can be anything.

IDGAHan expanse of ground with a wall at the end, a wall with inserted niche and engaged pulpit for theprophet

Aniche/indentation in the centre of the Qibla wall - Mihrab – the liturgical axis made visible.

It takes the shape of an arched niche framed by one or more pairs of colonnettes.

Here the Prophet stations himself to lead the congregation in prayer

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




THE MOSQUE

Prayer is established at 4 levels – theindividual, the congregation, the totalpopulation of a town & the entire Muslim world.

Masjid – mosque used for daily prayer byindividuals or small groups but not for Fridayworship. It has a Mihrab but no Minbar (pulpit).It is held at the 5 liturgical hours of dawn,noon, afternoon, sunset & evening

Jami – congregational or Friday Mosque – usedfor the main weekly service. It is normallymuch larger than the Masjid and has theMinbar. Congregational prayer – on Friday atnoon

Musalla - Community prayer – on 2 majorfestivals – idal fitr, id al adha – population ofthe town. Breaking of the Fast & Sacrifice ofAbraham.

Idgah – Annual festival – annual ritual ofpilgrimage – congregation of all muslims -place of community prayer.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




ENTRANCE, COURTYARD & FOUNTAINMinaret – means of summoning people to the Friday prayer. Needfor height to broadcast the call. Higher one gets the greater areaone can cover.

Earlier domes were erected over the Qibla to define it externallyand light it internally. Later dome covered the mortuary chamberwith the founder’s body. Then became a central dome, grew involume and covered the entire sanctuary area. It is cosmic symbol– represents the vault of heaven – thus the paradise tree providesthe appropriate motif for decoration of interior surface.

From the 4 quarters of theglobe one prays towards theKaba and from the Kaba oneprays in the reverse direction –to any of the 4 walls.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




FOUNTAIN

COURTYARD

Ablution fountain – located in the centre ofthe courtyard – emphasizes the function ofwater.

Water is the vehicle of purification. It must beperformed with running water.

There are taps for lukewarm water and lowstools.

It is separated from the rest of the mosqueby a balustrade. Defines the areas of ritualpurity & impurity.

At the entrance of the mosque standsanother barrier with identical purpose todemarcate pure & impure areas – thestreet / public thoroughfare. Here theydoff their footwear – to avoid impuresubstances entering through the soles.Also one covers one head at this point.The floors are carpeted

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Inside the mosque the chief feature is theMihrab – a niche in the centre of the Qibla wallto define the direction of Mecca.

It is surmounted by a round window to showits position externally.

Minbar (pulpit) - What distinguishes the Fridayservice from the daily prayer is the inclusionof a sermon.

Hence there is the minbar – so that theprophet can address the people.

Later was added a canopy / dome over it.

The top step of the Minbar is reserved for theprophet : he stands on the second step anduses to the top one for the seat.

AXIS OF PRAYERClick t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




MIHRAB

MINBAR

DIKKA

The Dikka is a platformusually in line with the Mihrab- it straddles the qibla axis ata point about the middle ofthe mosque – choir stands ofthe church.

Its function is to copy theposture of imam and chantthe prayer – transmitting it tothose whom the imam isneither audible or visible

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




THE MADRASA

Collegiate mosque -Education was alwaysclosely connected withworship and from thebeginning mosques couldbe used for both prayerand instruction.

Its plan is a rectangularcourtyard with an Iwan inthe centre of each side.

Teaching takes place in theIwans and the students livein cells arranged along theintermediate walls.

2 tiers of cells preceded byIwans running around thecourtyard – each sidepunctuated in the middleby an Iwan – rising fullheight of the façade

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




THE MONASTIC MOSQUE

To retreat from the world has been afeature of Islam from its inception.

By the 11th C, communities wereestablished and monastic mosques werebuilt to serve their needs.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




THE CELEBRATION OF DEATH

Traditional Islam has developedrituals associated with death to aremarkable degree.

Rules for burial are elaborate andstrict and the architecture oftombs & Mausolea includes manymasterpieces of Islamic art.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




CEMETERIES OF ISLAM

Burial customs are conditioned by beliefsconcerning salvation and resurrection.

Bodies are placed in a recumbent position atright angles to the Qibla so that when turned onthe right side they would face Mecca.

Coffins are optional but a vault is essential sincethe body must be able to sit up

The Qibla wall being closet to Mecca – tombstend to crowd against it leaving the centre empty.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Funerary garden – formal garden schemeas the focal point where the axis of thegarden intersect.

This art of landscape gardening is a resultof climatic factors & cosmologicalconcepts.

There is a modular plan. Square / rectangledivided into 4 quadrants by 2 axis forming across producing a unit – CHAR BAGH – 4fold plot – they are further subdivided into 4or 9 gardens

Serais – purpose built enclosures.

It is the microcosm of the physical worldwith the tomb in the centre.

Stands on a square plinth – materialuniverse.

Dome – circle of eternity.

Octagon – transition from one to other

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




EXPRESSION OF POWER – Palaces, Ceremonial Gateways,Fortresses & Burial places.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




GATES

Serves to admit and to exclude. It isalso a symbol of strength, security &wealth.

Straight and bent gates

Animal sculptures on the gatessuggests magical meaning of protectionor symbolic meaning of sovereignty ofprinces

Most gates are named topographically,involves local characteristics of a cityor suburbs, nearest major centre,references to real or mythical events etc

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




WALLS & TOWERS

Military architecture – most direct expressionof power - Walls & towers.

Towers served as buttresses, lodging, militarypurpose.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




THE CITADELCities were provided with a fortified enclosurewith a moat

Mostly made in local material – unbaked brick,packed earth etc, stone

Every Islamic centre was dominated by thecitadel known as Qasaba – city within a city.–audience halls, mosques, baths, living quarters,granaries, prisons etc

eventually it became the palace of the lord

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




THE MASUSOLEUM

Power of glory of Muslim rulerswas given public expression in aseries of magnificent tombs.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




TRADE & TRAVEL

Both the Arabs & non Arabs were originally nomadic and traveled alot.

Large armies were constantly on the move.

Students and scholars undertook long journeys to meet theirmasters.

Faith of islam imposed all motives of travel – hajj / pilgrimage.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




CARAVANSERAIS

2 classes of travelers

merchants & pilgrimsneeded more frequentplaces of rest and shelter(harsh weatherconditions).

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




This led to the construction ofcaravanserais (Americanmotel) along the main routes

Places where men & animalscould be safe for the night andcould get food & water. Theywere prestige buildings paidby the ruler.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




ON THE ROADS

Caravans were a form ofmutual protection.

Features such as markerposts and watch towerswere provided.

The tent – natural formof dwelling

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




KHANS

Within the city thecaravanserai is knownas Khan

Required lessfortification but morespace for storage andcommercialtransactions.

Its essentially awarehouse with stablesand shops

Khans were 2-3 storeys high, rectangular / square inplan.

Ground – stables, shops, large scale storage

Upper – galleries gave access to small rooms each withwindows and chimneys, with regional differences.Chambers of merchants

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




MARKETSClick t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




BAZAAR & BATHS

The bazaar and bath grew together, twin poles of Islamic urban life

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Standard bazaar plan is a network of streets covered withvaults and domes

Higher domed areas at the crossing points.

It is one of the classic defining feature in an Islamic town,commercial spine of the urban fabric linking the mosques,khans & schools – a city in miniature consisting of dozensof streets intersecting at right angles.

Shops selling same goods are grouped together – spice,leather and metal bazaar.

Each shop occupied one modular compartment in thesouk.

Vaulted streets are lit by apertures in the centre of eachbay creating a cool and well ventilated space ideal for hotclimates

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




ARCHITECTS, CRAFTSMEN & BUILDERS

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




DECORATIVE BRICKWORK & TILES

Bricks – used decoratively, laid in different planesto create dramatic effects of light and shade on thefacades of buildings. Bands of calligraphy are usedmade from specially shaped bricks

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Glazed tiles – used as a veneer over bricksClic

k to buy N

OW!AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




STONE

Stone – constructively and decoratively. Zigzagpattern, circles flanking the arch, two colors ofstone. (red sandstone and white marble)

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




METAL & WOOD WORKClick t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Metal has a subordinateplace in Islamic architecture.

Richly decorated but.Concentrated around doors.

Hinges, locks made of iron,brass, silver and gold. Pullrings, door plates, knockers

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




BRICK, CLAY & STUCCO

Stucco reliefs imitate stone but give morefreedom and complexity

Window grilles – very high usually made ofstucco

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




THE DOME

Characteristic feature of Islamicarchitecture

Structurally stable themselvesbut are difficult to place oversquare bases.

Used corner squinches, creatingan octagon which could mergeeasily into the circle.

An alternative to the squinch wasthe pendentive, triangle ofmasonry filling the same space.Most common solution

Ribbed dome – over the bay infront of the mihrab. Lobed archesbridge the corners alternatingwith identical arches andclerestory windows. The lines ofthe arches are carried upwardsforming semicircular ribs linkingeach arch to its neighboursforming a framework supportingthe dome.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




STRUCTUREIslamic builder chose to conceal the structurebehind smooth surfaces and facades.

Pointed arches associated with verticality.DomesHorseshoe archesWooden tie beamsMinarets – very high as they placed an internalstaircase that tied everything up structurallywith the stone treads.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




ELEMENTS OF DECORATION

Purpose of Decoration here is to conceal the structure. Elements ofdecoration are calligraphy, geometry and foliation - looking like a carpet.

Each area has its own logic and all are related together.

Scale is played with by expanding and contracting the designs to fit thespaces.

Uses ceramic inlays adding colour to it. Reflecting quality of ceramicpermits play of light on the surface of the building giving it a glossy effectchanging as the sun moves thus giving it 3 dimensional implications.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




THE FRAME

Decoration is controlled by the primary and secondary gridswhich create frames by which the facades are organized

E.G. Agra – primary unit is the arch within a rectangle.Appears as the portal, reduced to the windows and doors andfurther to the niches

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




GEOMETRY

Islam transformed geometry into an art form.

Used circle as the base of generating patterns.

Applied principles of repetition, symmetry, scale to create the effects.

Optical effects achieved by positive and negative areas in diff color tones.

The star – 6,8 16 or more sided. Transforms the dome into a network of interlaced surfaces

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Expanding and diminishingproperty of each pattern byrepetition.

Only distinguished by therhythm they setup.

Framework is always visible.

Primary GRID – calligraphicbands, arches, niches,squares, rectangles by whichthe overall surface can bedivided.

Secondary GRID – controlthe patterning within each ofthe elements – textures,colors, materials etc

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




CALLIGRAPHYClick t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




inscriptions arefoundincorporated indecorationeverywhere.

Arabic letteringwas brought tohigh level ofartisticsophistication.

Stone circular andlinear bands,undulating bands,side by sidecursive script

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




PLAY OF LIGHT

Reflected light –muqarana cells beneathdomes reflect andrefract light. Toaccentuate it ceramictiles and mirrors areused.

Light through glass –produces patterns onthe floor and walls

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




FOLIATION

Vine and scroll motifs – curlingtendrils, leaves, flowers formstone screens, windows etc

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




WATER

Wealth, fertility and coolness are associated with it.

Channels and pools are common. Necessary for irrigationand visual beauty.

Pools give sense of repose and openness to the courtyard

Water enters the building through the marble channels inthe flooring

Sheets of water act as mirrors multiplying the patterns.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




FIGURES & ANIMALS

Protective function. rulers

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




REGIONAL STYLES

Vernacular architecture

Village builder uses the elementary materials like stone andbricks in his own ways creating a variety of households.

Houses with domed mud brick chambers grouped aroundcourtyards with tents of nomadic relatives.

Same are the granaries.

Tower houses

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




BACKGROUND

Arabs had been strangers to the realms of which they took possession.

When they came to rule them, there was not enough time for institutions of culture to develop fully.

The buildings of others that were existing were found sufficient.

Initially their religion forbade them to spend to much money on buildings

Vernacular techniques were used to take care of climatic factors, local materials.

Most of the Arabs lived in urban centres like Mecca while others were agriculturists & nomads.

ISLAMIC SYSTEM – SOCIETY & THE CITY

Islamic settlements are neither fortified nor amorphous.

They have a consistent underlying order of hierarchical sequences of access and enclosureaccording to patterns of society.

Islamic urban organization shows an equilibrium b/w social homogeneity & heterogeneity requiringboth segregation of domestic life & participation in economic & religious life of the community.

City has a tripartite system of public, semi public and private spaces. Main public areas are thecentral bazaars, workshops, major mosques, caravanserais etc. this is the domain of men withemphasis on accessibility and unrestricted contact.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Off the wider bazaar street bordered by relatively low bldgs branch the central streets of diff quartersbordered by taller bldgs

Off these branch the narrow blank walled alleys and cul de sacs onto which open the doorways ofindividual units.

Town and city quarters occupying the single street are formed by homogenous communities,(religious, ethnic, occupational ties).

They are not divided by status each being a microcosm of the rich & the poor, sharing the facilities.

FAMILY UNIT

The Quranic prohibitions are the determining factors in the formation of the domestic unit.

The emphasis is on domestic privacy. Seclusion and segregation of women.

Arabic – sakan denotes the house – related to sakina (peaceful and holy)

Harim – women – harem (sacred area)

The harem of the house is the women’s domain, the husband having his own room near theboundary of this area.

Areas from which they can see but cannot be seen – screening balconies…also perform function ofmodifying the climate

Costumes are elaborate so as to distract the eye from the face and body.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




The house is conceived as from the inside outwards.

Emphasis on interior decoration (courtyard facades) street façade is usually a plain wall with theentrance portal as only opening.

Openings in the ground floor and small, grilled and above the height of the passer by.

Windows of the upper floors are larger but must not overlook neighboring courtyards etc.

HOUSE ENTRANCE

Monumental and decorative gateway.

Usually has only one entrance.

Asecond entrance if…would be used by the women.

Sometimes at the upper floors there are bridges across the street for members of neighbouringharems to meet without going out.

This main gateway however does not give access to the domestic quarters immediately.

It leads to a vestibule or passage with right angle turn so that its impossible to see the court fromthe street.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




RIGHTS OF WIVES

Women were denied inheritance – to preserve the power of the unit.

The husband would provide a special tent for the first night of marriage.

The husband must then provide a separate house for the wife. (seclusion and wife equality)

The harems have a row of suites each with an adjoining smaller room for independent cooking,washing, stores, bathroom etc.

ACCRETIVE NATURE OFAN ISLAMIC HOUSE

The Arab house if never complete - as the family grows, so does the house.

The members of the family become independent economically and stay together as nuclear families.

The courtyard perimeter defines the area for future expansion.

First the boundary wall is made. Then the head divides the plot into diff sections for diff functions.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




MALE QUARTERS AND RECEPTION ROOMS

Need to entertain male guests while at the same bar access to the females gives rise tocomplexities in design of domestic architecture.

It accommodates a double circulation system. The men’s reception room is adjacent or directlyaccessible to from the entrance lobby.

This men’s guest room is a symbol of the economic status of the family and is furnished withprecious possessions of the family. Hence it is the most decorated of all rooms.

Within it or adjacent to it are facilities for preparing refreshments for the guests.

Also this room is used for religious discussions and instructions by the community leader.

In wealthy establishments the male and female quarters may be housed in separate buildings.

The house may have a single / double courtyard system. Celebrations of festivals etc happens inthese courts.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




USE OF INTERIOR SPACE

The divisions in Muslim houses are those of social accessibility.

In the harem the spaces are polyvalent & non specific – rooms can be used interchangeably foreating, sleeping, recreation etc. - this is possible in the absence of cumbersome furniture.

Chests are commonly used, beds / divans. They sit and eat on the floor – carpets, rugs, mats &cushions. Storage cupboards and niches in the walls are characteristic features

Interiors are also characterized by daily & seasonal patterns of use. Most of the day is spent in thegalleried courtyard, siesta in the cool basement and roofs are used for sleeping.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




THE COURTYARD HOUSE

1.Interior courtyard house2.Exterior courtyard house – borders around the house – rural areas – less pressure on bldg spaceand protection

The interior courtyard acts as a modifier for climate.

Allows outdoor activities with protection from wind, dust, sun etc. they serve as light wells.

Traditional materials like stone, earth & wood absorb water by capillary effect which evaporates fromtheir surfaces and allows cooling.

In richer households the courtyards are even landscaped with fountains etc.

At times they are double storeyed …the lower floor being lit by skylights.

Sometimes due to space constraint the small courtyard becomes a large central hall lit by skylights.

Rooms on the upper floors project beyond the bldg line below creating more inside space and areheld by wooden posts on the street side.

They in a way form shaded corridors / passages on the streets.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




CONTROL OF ENVIRONMENT

1. Creation of domestic microclimates – courtyard house

2. Insulation property of materials have been exploited

3. Range of ventilation systems developed

ORIENTATION

Courtyards are open in the north to allow cool evening breeze. – egypt

Oman – houses are built in relationship to one another. Care taken that each house is built beyondthe wind shadow of the neighboring house

Mud, brick & stone is used

Lebanon – view of the sea is also a deciding factor

Some houses face towards mecca

Positioning of toilets is such that the sanctity of the qibla orientation is maintained.

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




UNDERGROUND DWELLINGS

Hot areas – houses have a basement ventilated by air scoops.

Cisterns for collecting water is placed below the courtyards

TWO BASIC WIND VENTILATION STRUCTURES

The inlets are placed high above the roof terraces where wind velocity is greatest and less dusty.

1. Wind catchers consists of a fixed inlet made of brick, timber or metal inclined to 45 degree to theprevailing wind which is deflected into a channel built in the wall of the building, conduits are in theinterior walls not subject to solar radiation. After passing through the rooms the air disperses into thecourtyard pushing the warm air upwards.

2. Wind towers are square in plan the top is an enclosed funnel that descends the air into the roombelow. Immediately beneath the wind tower people sleep.

HEATING IN COLDER CLIMATES

Summers are spent in ground floor built of stone’ and winters on top floors built of wood.

Fire is built in the basement and hot air is circulated by flues under the floor.

Some upper rooms are used as solariums.

Also rooms are situated on the south side etc

Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




THE ISLAMIC HOUSE : PUBLIC FACEClick t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




Click t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com




ISLAMIC HOUSE – PRIVATE COREClick t

o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

w


o buy NOW!

AcroPlot Pro

www.cadzation.com



Design

Islamic archi.ppt [compatibility mode]