Online Reflection 5

LECTURE 4

Through this lecture, it taught me about:

1) Architecture for Iqtisad: Balance

2) Architecture of Haya': Modesty

3) Architecture as Dikr: Remembrance

ARCHITECTURE FOR IQTISAD: BALANCE

"And turn not thy cheek away from people in [false] pride, and walk not haughtily on earth; for behold, God does not love anyone who, out of self-conceit, acts in a boastful manner." Al-Qur'an 31:18

The essence of islamic architecture is the achievement of delicate balance between functional and spiritual elements in order to achieve harmony through the point of intersection as it is the most beneficial in providing stability of the soul. 

"The best way is the middle way...do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately...and always adopt a middle, moderate regularly course whereby you will reach your target (paradise)," said Prophet Muhammad.

To express Iqtisad in islamic architecture, design elements are as below:

i) Moderation and balance. It is an essential consideration whereby it posses nature of aesthetic and a profound impact on architecture.

Djenne that shows geometrical proportion in design, image source from http://globalpridetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/djenne-mali-africa.jpg

ii) Notion of "heart". It is translated architecturally by designing the external facades of the islamic buildings as if human body is the container of the sacred nafs (soul) with the heart as the central core, it has the underlying symbolic metaphor for islamic home:

"Assuredly God does not consider your bodies, nor your appearances. Rather He considers your hearts."

Through these, I've analyzed and concluded that islamic's plan will always show a centralized circulation or by constructing a central dome and etc. to represent this principle, making the spaces to be centralize as if it is the hierarchy of all spaces.

Islamic architecture features the focal point in design, image source from http://catnaps.org/islamic/islamgraphics/pattern02.jpg

iii) Islamic composition for aesthetics:

a) Ta'lif (composition): It defines spatial sequence (propotion), texture, material and light.

b) I'tidal (harmony): It transform spaces into quantitative and qualitative as well as portraying the unique nature harmonious ratio of Phi: (1:1.618), the Golden Ration that truly exist in natural phenomenon that reflecting ties to language of creator.

c) Nizam (order): The aim to achieve and to show the means of approach of God through His creation.

Taj Mahal shows the expression of love from Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to his wife. This has also shown a strong principle in balance and its order of proportion, image source from http://www.palacetours.com/uploads/tours/tour44/rsz_63cd7d0d217a4f389aa2220ae4eb34b8.jpg

ARCHITECTURE OF HAYA': MODESTY

"...Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest...And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest..." Al-Qur'an 24:30-31

Modesty is defined as the quality or state of being unassuming or moderate in the estimation of one's abilities. To define this principle architecturally, it is translated into:

i) Preservation of dignity:

a) Islamic architecture usually has a central core like open court that not only serves as an environmental purpose but also addresses the different roles and responsibilities of the sexes.

b) The building will provide sanctuary, privacy and respect whereby it will be at heart of the layout and divisions within islamic architecture.

c) The design needs to retain the values of Muslims of their everyday existence, sacred actions and family lives.

Mashrabiyya are screen that made for Muslims women to gain privacy, respect and etc. Image source from http://www.garycook.co.uk/Africa/Egypt/Photo66554.jpg

Mashrabiyya acts as aesthetic feature as well as environmental feature that provides climatic control. Image source from http://blogs.bootsnall.com/The-Turbos/files/2007/02/gayer%20anderson%20mashrabiyya.JPG?file=2007/02/gayer%20anderson%20mashrabiyya.JPG

ii) Modest to others, themselves and to Allah:

a) Tawado (humility)

b) Ih'tesham (decency)

c) Istehyah (awareness)

Bent entrance is one of the significant feature that provides privacy for the building and filters the admission into heart of the sacred space. It discreet approaches as well as showing respect by greeting users with magnificent size of central public spaces of courtyard before entering to the main space. Image source from lecture note.

ARCHITECTURE AS DIKR: REMEMBRANCE

"Those who believe, and whose hearts find their rest in the remembrance of God - for verily, in the remembrance of God [men's] hearts do find their rest." Al-Qur'an 13:28

This principle illustrates the architecture of monotony whereby it is translated as building pillar upon pillar, arcade upon arcade and etc. in order to show the rhythmic precision that mirror in the contemplative chanting of God's innumerable attributes. The manifestation of contemplation will maintain a sense of unity as rhythm has been seen as the eternal and infinite nature of God's essence to remember Him as the creator. Repetition is encouraged in this principle in order to repeat the reminder of God.

The repetition of vaults and patterns represent the principle of remembrance, image source from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDc2KN5GRT5X7w_FLv77qllRpHtAnooDic3zCkWL-wT-puZjmpY8H2KytjeewS8dr3wSMe-1jreClRcJX6B_cKAZWEKt6gjcXE_kBThNRj-BE2gH8cihvdHc4fmy422cvQxv2kMoMnVL8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-03-16+at+4.26.45+AM.png

The repetition of columns remind Muslims the existence of God. Image source from http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/25/19/45/25194569d548fce96fe90ad35b4324d2.jpg

THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE UMAYYAD OF SPAIN

The most significant building in Islamic Spain and other centers of Muslim civilization is the mosque (called in Arabic masjid), a house of worship. They are almost totally empty inside, without seats or altars. The empty space is a surface for adornment and expression of form.

The Great Mosque of Cordoba, image source from http://classes.colgate.edu/osafi/images/great%20mosque%20of%20cordoba%20
aerial%20view%20with%20cathedral%20in%20middle.jpg

The Great Mosque of Córdoba was designed under Abdurrahman I. It began construction in 787 CE, and then expanded under later rulers. The building was innovative. The double horseshoe-shaped arches added height and drama to the prayer space, especially with their red-and-white striped adornment on top of simple columns.

Using color in architecture was a design element that traveled widely under Andalusian influence. In 961 CE, a special section of the mosque added “poly-lobed” arches with carved decoration, meaning that the arch was scalloped. The ribbed dome of the mosque gave it strength, but also created a star pattern that highlights the mosaic designs in the center and between the ribs. The architectural features in the Córdoba mosque spread to other forms of architecture and became visual symbols of Al-Andalus. The ribbed vault design became a familiar feature in gothic cathedrals of northern Europe.

The horseshoe-shaped arches, image source from http://alphavilleherald.com/images/various/mosque12.jpg

Also in Spain and Morocco, brick towers with a square footprint graced the rectangular mosque layout. The minaret rose to a great height and featured geometric patterns in brick, and symmetrical openings near the slender top.

Palaces for Andalusian rulers were legendary for their influence in the West for centuries to come. Madinat al-Zahra was the first palace to be built in Al-Andalus. Built during the rule of Abdurrahman III (961-976 CE), it was a complex of buildings on terraces, and composed of indoor and outdoor spaces intermingled with gardens, pools, fountains, and surrounded by walls. Its walls and pillars were adorned with carving and tilework, and it was filled with fine furniture and decorative pieces made by the best craftsmen. It was a wonder to those who visited it and carried away stories of its grandeur. Madinat al-Zahra was destroyed in 1010 CE during a civil war, and it still remains for archaeologists to learn from its ruins.

Madinat al-Zahra, image source from http://www.library.yale.edu/judaica/site/conferences/maimonides/spain/madinat.jpg

The second most prominent palace was constructed by the Nasrid rulers of Granada during the 13th century or earlier. It shows the influence of the North African dynasties that ruled in Spain, and brought important ideas in architecture with them. One of these ideas is the decorative muqarnas, plaster stalactites that break up the solidity of domes and arches, placed in geometric patterns and surrounded by carved plaster, calligraphy and tilework. The Alhambra is also a complex of indoor and outdoor spaces that flow into one another, with pools and gardens.

Alhambra Palace, image source from http://www.spain-holiday.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/alhambra.jpg

There are many other architectural monuments in Spain that show the skill and artistic splendor of Andalusian architecture. Cities such as Toledo, Valencia, Almeria, Seville, and others have mosques, bridges, public works, and homes in the Andalusian style. This style also traveled to the New World with the Spanish and Portuguese colonies, and spread to the southwestern United States.

Further information please refers to my project 2 assignments as it will explain the whole timeline of Spain Islamic Architecture.

Source from:

http://www.islamicspain.tv/Arts-and-Science/The-Culture-of-Al-Andalus/Architecture.htm

For extra information please check out:

http://journal.utarts.com/articles.php?id=14&type=paper