Islamic Architecture: Mosque
Islamic Architecture: Mosque
Islamic Architecture: Mosque
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Islamic architecture, building traditions of Muslim populations of the Middle East and
elsewhere from the 7th century on. Islamic architecture finds its highest expression in religious
buildings such as the mosque and madrasah. Early Islamic religious architecture, exemplified by
Jerusalems Dome of the Rock (ad 691) and the Great Mosque (705) in Damascus, drew on
Christian architectural features such as domes, columnar arches, and mosaics but also included
large courts for congregational prayer and a mihrab. From early times, the characteristic
semicircular horseshoe arch and rich, nonrepresentational decoration of surfaces were employed.
Religious architecture came into its own with the creation of the hypostyle mosque ( see hypostyle
hall) in Iraq and Egypt. In Iran a mosque plan consisting of four eyvans (vaulted halls) opening
onto a central court was used. These brick-built mosques also incorporated domes and decorated
squinches (see Byzantine architecture) across the corners of the rooms. Persian architectural
features spread to India, where they are found in the Taj Mahal and Mughal palaces. Ottoman
architecture, derived from Islamic and Byzantine traditions, is exemplified by the Selimiye Mosque
(1575) at Edirne, Tur., with its great central dome and slender minarets. One of the greatest
examples of secular Islamic architecture is the Alhambra.
Mosque
Arabic masjid or jmi , any house or open area of prayer in Islam.
The Arabic word masjid means a place of prostration to God, and
the same word is used in Persian, Urdu, and Turkish. Two main
types of mosques can be distinguished: the masjid jmi, or
collective mosque, a large state-controlled mosque that is the
centre of community worship and the site of Friday prayer services;
and smaller mosques operated privately by various groups within
society.
The Prophets Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia, containing the tomb
of Muhammad. It is one of the
Nabeel TurnerStone/Getty Images
Islamic Tombs
An Islamic tomb, should a Muslim elect to have one instead of a simple burial and headstone,
usually consists of a single chamber that contains the dead person's body. It is common for an
Islamic tomb to be decorated with Quranic inscriptions. Larger tombs, such as those for Muslim
saints -- often mystics called Sufis -- can be decorated with a dome. The notion of Islamic tombs is
often controversial because of Islam's emphasis on avoiding anything close to idol worship.
Taj Mahal
1
2
In 1631 Mumtaz Mahal, the third and favorite wife of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
(reigned 162858), died while giving birth to the couples fourteenth child. Devastated, the
emperor commissioned the Taj Mahal, a massive mausoleum complex on the southern bank of the
Yamuna (Jumna) River that ultimately took more than 20 years to complete. Today the Taj Mahal is
the most famous piece of Islamic architecture in the world, with the possible exception of the
Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. The monument is remarkable both for its size (the finial of the
dome of the central mausoleum stands 240 feet [73 meters] above ground level) and for its
graceful form, which combines elements of
Indian, Islamic, and Persian design. From afar,
viewers are dazzled by the white marble of the
central tomb, which appears to change color with
daylight. Up close, the building is richly decorated
with Arabic calligraphy and inlays of semiprecious
stones. Inside there are cenotaphs (false tombs)
for Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan; the actual
tombs are in a chamber beneath the ground floor.
As early as the 1660s, travelers reported that
Shah Jahan had intended to build a matching
mausoleum for himself out of black granite on the
opposite bank of the Yamuna; modern scholars,
however, regard this as a legend with no basis in
fact.
Palace
The Alhambra in Granada, Spain, is distinct among Medieval palaces for its sophisticated
planning, complex decorative programs, and its many enchanting gardens and fountains. Its
intimate spaces are built at a human scale that visitors find elegant and inviting.
The Alhambra, an abbreviation of the Arabic: Qalat al-Hamra, or red fort, was built by the Nasrid
Dynasty (1232-1492)the last Muslims to rule in Spain. Muhammad ibn Yusuf ibn Nasr (known as
Muhammad I) founded the Nasrid Dynasty and secured this region in 1237. He began construction
of his court complex, the Alhambra, on Sabika hill the following year.
2
3
FORT
The Agra Fort
Near the gardens of the Taj Mahal stands the important 16th-century Mughal monument
known as the Red Fort of Agra. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its
2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale
palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such
as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques.
Walls of the Red Fort of Agra
The Red Fort of Agra is a powerful fortress founded in 1565 by the Emperor Akbar (1556-
1605) on the right bank of the Yamuna; it is placed today on the north-west extremity of the Shah
Jahan Gardens which surround the Taj Mahal and clearly form, with them, a monumental unity.
3
4
The Taq-i Kisra is a Persian monument in Al-mada' in which is the only visible remaining
structure of the ancient city of Ctesiphon. It is near the modern town of Salman Pak, Iraq.
Ctesiphon was an imperial capital of the Arsacids and of their successors, the Sassanids. For
more than 800 years, the city lay in the ancient Iranian province of Khvarvaran. Today, the ruins of
Ctesiphon lie in Iraq, approximately 35 km south of the city of Baghdad. In the 6th century, the
Ctesiphon was the largest city in the world.Architecture of Persian Gardens, of the Golestan Palace
- Tehran, Iran - 1524-1576.
Architecture is one of the fields in which Iranians have had a lengthy involvement in history.
The major building types of this architecture are the mosque and the palace. The architecture
makes use of abundant symbolic geometry, using pure forms such as the circle and square. Plans
are based on often-symmetrical layouts featuring rectangular courtyards and halls.
4
5
OTTOMAN ARCHITECTURE
The grand tradition of Ottoman architecture,
established in the 16th century, was derived from two main sources. One was the rather complex
development of new architectural forms that occurred all over Anatolia, especially at Manisa, Iznik,
Bursa, and Seluk in the 14th and early 15th centuries. In addition to the usual mosques,
mausoleums, and madrasahs, a number of buildings called tekke s were constructed to house
dervishes (members of mystical fraternities) and other holy men who lived communally. The tekke
(or zeviye) was often joined to a mosque or mausoleum. The entire complex was then called a
klliye. All these buildings continued to develop the domed, central-plan structure, constructed by
the Seljuqs in Anatolia. The other source of Ottoman architecture is Christian art. The Byzantine
tradition, especially as embodied in Hagia Sophia, became a major source of inspiration. Byzantine
influence appears in such features as stone and brick used together or in the use of pendentive
dome construction. Also artistically influential were the contacts that the early Ottomans had with
Italy. Thus, in several mosques at Bursa, Tur., there are stylistic parallels in the designs of the
exterior facade and of windows, gates, and roofs to features found in Italian architecture. A
distinctive feature of Ottoman architecture is that it drew from both Islamic and European artistic
traditions and was, therefore, a part of both.
Selimiye Mosque
Located in the neighborhood of Faith. This was one of the least accessible areas of tge city
with the Kyrk Merdiven cliffs on one side and a deep cistern on the other. The mosque was
commissioned by Sultan Selim II and was built by Architect Sinan between the dates 1568-1574.
This grand mosque stands at the center of a kulliya which comprises a medrese, a dar-ul hadis, a
timekeeper's room and an arasta (row of shops). In this mosque Sinan employed an octagonal
supporting system that is created through eight pillars incised in a square shell of walls. The four
semi domes at the corners of the square behind the arches that spring from the pillars, are
intermediary sections between the huge encompassing dome and the walls. These pillars are
related to the back walls through supporting arches that provide an ambulatory space in front of
the encircling walls.
5
6
The Suleiman Mosque was built on the order of sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and constructed
by the great Ottoman architect Sinan.
The construction work began in 1550
and the mosque was finished in 1557.
The mosque is modeled in part on the
style of a Byzantine basilica, particularly
the Hagia Sophia, which was perhaps a
conscious move on the part of the sultan
to create a continuity and a symbolic
connection with the city's past.
6
7
MOORISH ARCHITECTURE
In the early eighth century, the Moors invaded Spain and marched through the region
defeating any Christian people they found. For nearly seven centuries, the Moors ruled Spain and
their Islamic architectural influence can still be seen, especially in the southern cities of Spain:
Granada, Cordova, Valencia and Seville. In fact, many of the Spanish Christian churches of today
were once Islamic mosques and buildings.
One of the most distinguished characteristics of Moorish architecture is the plain exterior of a
structure with an exquisitely ornate interior. The Moorish people were nomads and lived in tents;
this naturally translated into the interior of the tent being the one place that was decorated with
beautiful textiles, lush gardens and simple, portable furnishings.
The interior of the buildings were decorated with fantastic and minutely colored ornamental
details. Elements of nature always included in these buildings were courtyards with gardens,
fountains, reflecting pools and exquisite landscapes.
The climate of the region influenced the building materials used: tile, marble, adobe brick,
clay and plaster. All of these materials would stay cool in the Spanish heat. Tiled wainscoting in
colorful geometric patterns could be found in the majority of the rooms and mosaic patterns were
created with pebbles.
The use of geometry in decor was a nod to the Moors' talent in structural design and
mathematics. The Koran forbids the copying of natural forms so instead craftsman used stars,
crescents, crosses, hexagons and octagons. (They were not allowed to depict human figures,
animals and flowers in their designs.) These geometric shapes and patterns were created in wood,
plaster, tile and textile designs and used these colors in their designs: red, blue, green, white,
sliver and gold.
The Moorish influence on design is one that acutely reflects the religious and topographical
influences of Islam and Spain. The interior elements of these buildings- yeseria, artesonado,
horseshoe & scalloped arches, stalactites, simple columns and multifoils - are exquisite and
unique.
7
8
Moorish architecture is a variation of Islamic architecture. There are many motifs, or repeated
patterns, in Moorish architecture. This photo gallery illustrates just a few. The first slide gives an
overview of the motifs: different styles of arches, calligraphy, vegetative design, and decorative
tiles.
Moorish architecture is named after the Moors, North African people who conquered the
Iberian Peninsula and many islands in the Western Mediterranean beginning in the 700s. The
Moors controlled what is now Spain, Portugal, and the Pyrenees region of France for hundreds of
years.
The Moors were Muslim and influenced by the Islamic architecture that developed in the
Middle East. Although mosques are the most common examples of Moorish architecture, motifs
spread to the design of homes and places of businesses. One of the most famous examples of
Moorish architecture, the Mezquita or Grand Mosque of Cordoba, Spain, is today the region's
Catholic cathedral.
8
9
9
10
Mamluk army In Syria and that of the Ottomans at Ankara (14002). In 1405, while
preparing to invade China, Timur died. The vast empire he carved proved to be difficult to keep;
his son and successor, Shahrukh (r. 140547), barely managed to maintain the empires
boundaries, and subsequent Timurid princes sought to establish their own kingdoms, weakening
the empire with internal strife. Eventually only Khorasan and Transoxiana remained Timurid, and
during the remaining years of the dynasty, these were ruled by separate branches of the Timurid
family.
10
11
FATIMID ARCHITECTURE
Fatimid Dynasty , political and religious dynasty that dominated an empire in North Africa
and subsequently in the Middle East from ad 909 to 1171 and tried unsuccessfully to oust the
Abbsid caliphs as leaders of the Islmic world. It took its name from Fimah,
the daughter of the
Prophet Mu ammad, from whom the Fimids
claimed descent.
11
12
Porch of the Great Mosque of Mahdiya, 916. The tripartite design of the facade of the Great
Mosque of Mahdiya, with its porch built out in front and its two corner towers, was an innovation,
although it faintly echoes the triumphal arch of classical antiquity and certain Abbasid and
Umayyad military buildings. MAMLUK ARCHITECTURE
The Mamluk sultanate (12501517) emerged from the weakening of the Ayyubid realm in
Egypt and Syria (125060). Ayyubid sultans depended on slave (Arabic: mamluk, literally owned,
or slave) soldiers for military organization, yet mamluks of Qipchaq Turkic origin eventually
overthrew the last Ayyubid sultan in Egypt, al-Malik al-Ashraf (r. 124950) and established their
own rule. Their unusual political system did not rely entirely on family succession to the throne
slaves were also recruited into the governing class. Hence the name of the sultanate later given by
historians. Following the defeat of
Mongol armies at the Battle of Ayn Jalut (1260), the Mamluks inherited the last Ayyubid
strongholds in the eastern Mediterranean. Within a short period of time, the Mamluks created the
greatest Islamic empire of the later Middle Ages, which included control of the holy cities Mecca
and Medina. The Mamluk capital, Cairo, became the economic, cultural, and artistic center of the
Arab Islamic world.
Citadel of Aleppo
12
13
13
14
Indo-Islamic architecture begins with the Ghuris occupation of India at the close of the 12
century A.D. The Muslims having inherited a wealth of varied designs from Sassanian and
Byzantine empires and being naturally endowed with good taste for buildings, never failed to
adapt to their own requirements the indigenous architecture of almost every foreign country that
they conquered.
The most important factors common to both forms of architecture, especially in respect of
mosques and temples, were that to both styles, ornamental decoration was very vital and that the
open court in many cases was surrounded by colonnades. But the contrast was equally striking:
the prayer chamber of the mosque was spacious, whereas the shrine of the temple was
comparatively small. The mosque was light and open, whereas the temple was dark and closed.
The difference between the lay-out of a temple and a mosque is explained by the essential
difference between the Hindu and Muslim forms of worship and prayer. A cell to house the image
of the deity, garbha-griha, and often small halls in front for the worshippers was regarded
adequate for a simple Hindu temple. But the Islamic form of worship, with its emphasis on
congregational prayer, requires a spacious courtyard with a large prayer hall, pointed towards
Mecca, as its western end that is, to the West of India. In the rear wall of the prayer-hall, the centre
is occupied by a recess or alcove, called mihrab; and indicates the direction of prayer (quibla). A
pulpit (mimber) at its right is meant for the imam who leads the prayer. A tower or minaret,
originally intended for the muazzin to call the faithful to the prayer, later assumed a mere
architectural character. A gallery or compartment of the prayer hall or some other part was
screened off to accommodate the ladies who observed purdah. The main entrance to a mosque is
on the east, and the sides are enclosed by cloisters (liwans).
14
15
15
16
16
17
SINO-ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
The first Chinese mosque was established in the 7th century during the Tang Dynasty in Xi'an.
The Great Mosque of Xi'an, whose current buildings date from the Ming Dynasty, does not
replicate many of the features often associated with traditional mosques. Instead, it follows
traditional Chinese architecture. Some Chinese mosques in parts of western China were more
likely to incorporate minarets and domes while eastern Chinese mosques were more likely to look
like pagodas.
Chinese buildings
may be built with
either red or grey
bricks, but wooden
structures are the
most common;
these are more
capable of
withstanding
earthquakes, but
are vulnerable to
fire. The roof of a
typical Chinese
building is curved;
there are strict
classifications of
gable types,
comparable with
the classical orders
of European
columns.
17
18
18
19
19
20
CHINESE ARCHITECTURE
Chinese architecture, the built structures of China, specifically those found in the 18
historical provinces of China that are bounded by the Tibetan Highlands on the west, the Gobi to
the north, and Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and Vietnam to the southwest.
The first communities that can be identified culturally as Chinese were settled chiefly in the
basin of the Huang He (Yellow River). Gradually they spread out, influencing other tribal cultures
until, by the Han dynasty (206 bce220 ce), most of China was dominated by the culture that had
been formed in the cradle of northern Chinese civilization. Over this area there slowly spread a
common written language, a common belief in the power of heaven and the ancestral spirits to
influence the living, and a common emphasis on the importance of ceremony and sacrifice to
achieve harmony among heaven, nature, and humankind. These beliefs were to have a great
influence on the character of Chinese art and architecture.
Chinese architecture has a extended history and fantastic achievements, and developed a lot of
architectural miracles such as being the Great Wall. Within the procedure of its development,
superior architectural tactics and artistic style have been mixed to generate distinctive Chinese
architecture has the 4 greatest architectural varieties.
Imperial Architecture
1. The first particular one may be the use of yellow roof tiles; yellow having been the Imperial
color, yellow roof tiles still adorn the majority of the buildings inside the Forbidden City. The Temple
of Heaven, even so, employs blue roof tiles to symbolize the sky. Brackets, a feature shared only
by using the biggest of religious buildings, nearly invariably support the roofs. The wooden
columns in the buildings, in addition to the surface with the walls, tend to be red in color.
2. The Chinese dragon, it is also an emblem reserved for Imperial China, it was heavily used on
Imperial architecture on the roofs, the beams and pillars and to the doors. Only the buildings
utilized with the imperial household have been permitted to own nine gam; only the gates utilized
by the Emperor could have 5 arches, with the center one, needless to say, getting reserved for
that Emperor himself.
3. Numerology heavily influenced Imperial Architecture, hence the usage of nine in a lot of building
and reason why The Forbidden City in Beijing is said to get 9,999.five rooms, it just brief of the
mythical 10,000 rooms in heaven. The importance of the East in orienting and siting Imperial
buildings can be a type of solar worship present in numerous ancient cultures, exactly where the
notion of Ruler is affiliated with the Sun.
Commoner Architecture
20
21
Religious Architecture
2. Daoist architecture, alternatively, normally follows the commoners' type. The key entrance is,
nonetheless, usually in the side, out of superstition about demons which may consider to enter the
premise. In contrast towards the Buddhists, inside a Daoist temple the key deity is situated at the
primary hall in the front, the lesser deities in the back hall and with the sides.
21
22
TIBET ARCHITECTURE
Tibet has produced one of the world's most
unique and easily-recognizable forms of architecture.
Nevertheless, systematic study of Tibetan architecture is
still a comparatively unexplored field.
A handful of standardized principles give Tibetan buildings their characteristic organic design.
These include:
Slightly trapezoidal form, heavy at the bottom (stone foundations) and light at the top,
generally with battered walls,
Detailed code for the decoration of doors, windows and parapets (including
painted black frames around doors and windows, and complex wooden overhang
decorations),
22
23
23
24
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE
Japanese architecture, the built structures of Japan and their context. A pervasive
characteristic of Japanese architectureand, indeed, of all the visual arts of Japanis an
understanding of the natural world as a source of spiritual insight and an instructive mirror of
human emotion.
Japan has an interesting variety of buildings that exhibit different architectural forms from
humble farm houses to grand imperial palaces. Architectural styles have evolved from pre-historic
to modern times. Early native designs were exposed to strong influences from the Asian mainland,
imported styles were subsequently adapted to suit local tastes, and recent history saw the
introduction of Western architecture into Japan.
Buildings were traditionally built in wood - in part because of the abundance of timber and
due to the material's relatively good resistance to earthquakes. Unfortunately, many buildings
were lost through the years to natural disasters, the humid climate, fires and wars. Efforts have
been made to preserve some monumental buildings including temples, shrines, palaces and
castles, of which many are very old and require periodic renovations. Furthermore, efforts are
ongoing across the country to reconstruct some lost buildings of importance.
Many structures exhibiting past architectural styles are nowadays popular tourist sites.
They are spread across the country, some surviving in entire preserved districts or towns, while
others were moved to open air museums. The following is an introduction to the general
architectural building types in Japan:
Early Japan
The Jomon Period lasted from around 13000
BC to 300 BC. The inhabitants of Japan at
that time were mainly gatherers, fishers
and hunters. Dwellings were built directly
over an earth floor with a wood foundation
and a thatched straw roof. Inside the house,
the floor may have been hollowed in, which
is why Jomon Period houses are often called
"pit dwellings". The Sannai Maruyama
Archaeological Site in Aomori is one of the
best places to see an entire village of
Jomon Period houses. Some local history
museums also exhibit Jomon dwellings.
24
25
After the excavation and study of the site, the village was reburied with earth and a number
of reconstructed pit dwellings, long houses and a large tower were built on top. Visitors can enter
the reconstructions, some of which are quite large, as well as see a few of the original excavation
sites around the grounds.
Following the Jomon Period, the Yayoi Period lasted from around 300 BC to 300 AD. The
period is characterized by the start of widespread rice farming, resulting in the appearance of
permanent settlements with bigger populations. Communities became organized in villages as a
whole, with areas demarcated for granaries, storehouses and living quarters. Houses, especially
the granaries, were built on stilts to keep away mice. Structures such as village fences and watch
towers appeared. The Yoshinogari Historical Park in Saga Prefecture is an excellent place to see a
Yayoi Period settlement.
25
26
Shrines
In ancient times, Shinto ceremonies were held outdoors at temporarily demarcated sites
without buildings. Later, temporary structures were used which eventually got replaced by
permanent shrine buildings housing the deity. Early shrine buildings predate the introduction of
Buddhism and reflect native Japanese architecture styles.
Among the earliest shrine architecture styles are the Shinmei style as represented by the
Ise Shrines whose halls resemble ancient storehouses, and the Taisha style as represented by the
Izumo Shrine whose buildings resemble ancient residences. Furthermore, there is the Sumiyoshi
style as represented by the Sumiyoshi Shrine in Osaka which is also considered to be close to a
natively Japanese shrine architecture style.
26
27
Palaces
Imperial palaces are the seat of the Emperor. In the past, a new palace was built with the
relocation of the capital every time a new emperor ascended to the throne. In 710, the first
permanent capital was set up in Nara, and thus the first permanent palace, the Heijo Palace, was
built. The palace's former site is open to tourists today and exhibits a few rebuilt structures.
The imperial capital was later moved to Kyoto where it remained for over a thousand years
until 1868. Along with the Kyoto Imperial Palace, several imperial villas still exist, exhibiting a
grand and dignified, yet not overly-ostentatious style. The Kyoto Palace, Sento Palace, Katsura Villa
and Shugakuin Villa are open to the public today. Furthermore, some temples such as Kyoto's
Ninnaji and Daikakuji utilize former palace buildings.
Castles
The civil war also gave the impetus for the construction of castles. Initially built for purpose
of fortification, the castles became the center of
government and status symbols for the provincial lords
as war drew to an end and Japan was reunited in the
late 1500s. Hundreds of castles used to stand across
the country, but due to wars, natural disasters and
past governments' policies to limit their numbers,
today only twelve castle keeps survive from the feudal
era, while a few dozen others have been rebuilt in the
20th century.
27
28
Samurai Residences
During the Edo Period (1603 - 1867), the samurai
were required to reside in the castle towns that
surrounded the castles. The grandeur of a samurai's
house was determined by his rank in the hierarchy. Strict
regulations had to be followed; for example, the size of
the pillars and the type of gates to be used were
pertained by status. While higher-ranking samurai lived
closest to the castle in large houses with spacious tatami
rooms and gardens, lower ranking samurai had more
humble residences further away from the castle.
Farmhouse
Farmers made up the majority of Japan's
population into the Meiji Period (1868-1912).
Different farmhouse construction styles developed
according to widely varying weather patterns.
However, architectural similarities can be seen
between dwellings across the country, such as the
wooden facades, thatched roofs, sunken hearths
(irori), earth floors for stable and kitchen, and living
spaces on elevated wooden floors that may have
included some tatami rooms in case of the more
well-off families.
Farmhouses were the most numerous among the old buildings but were rarely preserved, and thus
the remaining ones that we see today tend to be the more prestigious ones, such as those that
belonged to village heads or those in remote locations such as Shirakawago and Miyama where
entire villages have been preserved to a certain degree. Open air museums are also good places
to see regional styles of farmhouses.
Meiji Period
28
29
The Meiji Restoration of 1868 saw an influx of Western concepts on almost all aspects of
life, from clothes to food, entertainment to architecture. Brick buildings are legacies left behind
from this era, and they can be found especially at the handful of port towns that were early
opened to international trade, such as Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, Hakodate and Moji.VIETNAM
ARCHITECTURE
Located on the Indochina Peninsula, Vietnam and its building fabric are tied to the countrys hilly
and densely forested landscape. The diverse topography between the northern highlands and
southern lowlands led to a varied climate, where architecture had to meet different thermal and
liminal considerations. Constructed amidst basalt plateaus, continuous coastlines and the Red
River Delta, Vietnamese architecture adopted a nimble and adaptable nature.
Ly Dynasty
In 11th century, Ly dynasty opened the new change for architecture during developing
feudal state. Generally, Ly dynastys architecture was five orthodox styles: citadels, palaces,
castles, pagodas, and houses. It was influenced by Buddhism and served Buddhism. So Thang
Long capital culture deeply mirrored characteristic of the tower-pagoda. In 1031, there were 950
pagodas that built during King Ly Thai Tong.
The feature of architecture under Ly dynasty
was high residential complexes, a lot
of decorative roofs, doors, doorsteps,
banisters, and rounded statues. All is
suitable with the Vietnam climate and
Vietnam folk customs.
29
30
Tran Dynasty
The royal palace structure was designed with upper - floors and systems of consecutive corridors
in an open-air space that was suitable for tropical climate.
Le Dynasty
Nguyen Dynasty
30
31
COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
Whilst walking around Vietnam, you may have to do a double take when suddenly being
confronted with a typically French building. Architecturally, the French left their mark throughout
Vietnam all of the cities have a number of stately structures that date from colonial times and, in
many cases, they carry on serving the same function as they did under the French. This kind of
architecture was developed in parallel with the process of colonial exploitation of the colonialism.
Particular characteristics of geographical and climatic conditions are relatively different; as a
result, the European-style architecture had to have certain changes in order to harmonize
Vietnams conditions. While many of the old French residences have crumbled badly, others have
been renovated and given a new lease on life as upper crust hotels full of French trimmings or
restaurants.
31
32
CAMBODIAN ARCHITECTURE
Cambodian architecture has become synonymous with Khmer architecture and more
precisely to the iconic constructions of Angkor temples during the growth and peak of Khmer
Empire. There are over a hundred major architectural sites to be visited in and around Siem Reap
the religious remains of a series of cities built by a succession of Khmer kings from the 7th to the
13th centuries.
Most temples were built in eastern orientation, a sort of glorification of the rising sun, could
be considered as a manifestation of the sun cult so favored in ancient civilizations - and taken
when rising with its most strength at the summer solstice and following the course of its light, the
ambulation ritual of pradakshina around the temple in fact becomes none other than the living
translation of this trajectory. According to some archaeologists, the siting of most of the Angkor
monuments corresponded to a sort of marking out of the solar path according to the solstitial
alignments.
32
33
33
34
INDONESIAN ARCHITECTURE
Indonesia is a country with vast natural beauty stretching from Sabang to Merauke,
diversity of culture and tourism combined with the unique characteristics of each local community.
One of sample of the cultural heritage of Indonesia is Architecture Traditional. The unique from
Architecture Traditional of Indonesia because Indonesia has 33 provinces, each of Indonesia's
ethnic groups has its own distinctive form of the traditional vernacular architecture of Indonesia,
known as rumah adat.
Rumah adat or Custom House are at the centre of a web of customs, social relations,
traditional laws, taboos, myths and religions that bind the villagers together. The house provides
the main focus for the family and its community, and is the point of departure for many activities
of its residents. Traditional Indonesian homes are not architect designed, rather villagers build
their own homes, or a community will pool their resources for a structure built under the direction
of a master builder and/or a carpenter.
34
35
1. Province Aceh
35
36
36
37
4. Province Riau
Rumah Lancang
37
38
8. Province Lampung
Traditional House : Nuwo sesat
9. Province Bengkulu
Traditional House : Rumah bubungan lima
(Rumah Rakyat)
38
39
39
40
40
41
18. Province Nusa Tenggara Barat / Lombok 19. Province Nusa Tenggara Timur /
Kupang
Traditional House: Dalam loka samawa Traditional House: Sao ata mosa lakitana
(Musalaki)
41
42
42
43
20. Province West Kalimantan / Pontianak 21. Province Central Kalimantan / Palangka Raya
Traditional House: Rumah panjang Traditional House: Rumah bentang
43
44
26. Province Central Sulawesi /Palu 27. Province Southeast Sulawesi /Kendari
Traditional House: Souraja / Rumah besar Traditional House: Laikas
44
45
31.
Province North Maluku 32. Province Irian Jaya / Papua
Traditional House: Sasadu Traditional House: Rumah Honai
Honai house has one door and small, it usually without windows and ventilation to safe from beast
and keep the room temperature still warm. Center of the room there is a furnace that is used for
cooking and for room heating. As well as a gathering place for families.
45
46
THAILAND ARCHITECTURE
The Thai house, like other houses in Southeast-Asia, is a wooden structure raised on posts. Over
many centuries it has acquired its own unique style. The distinguishing marks are an elegantly
tapering roof and various finials and decorations that differ regionally. While architectural features
varythroughout the four cultural regions, Central Thailand, the North (Lanna), the North-East
(Isaan), and the South, the method of raising a platform on poles is common to all parts of the
country. It offers protection fromdirt, hostile wildlife, thieves, and most importantly from the
monsoonfloods which affect all of Thailand.
The traditional Thai house is ideally adapted to its environment. The open high-pitched roof
facilitates air circulation. Open windows and walls in combination with a large central terrace
provide ideal ventilation and offer relief from the hot and humid climate. Wide overhanging eaves
protect the house from sun and rain. Rainwater runs off the steep roof quickly and falls through the
permeable terrace and house floors. The use of wood and bamboo reflects the once abundant
forests that provided these materials ubiquitously and cheaply. In the past, an agricultural society
existed in relative harmony with its natural environment.
46
47
47
48
MALAYSIAN ARCHITECTURE
Malaysia, which is situated in the heart of South-east Asia, consists of thirteen states;
eleven in the Malay Peninsula and the two states of Sabah and Sarawak in the northern quarter of
Borneo. Malaysia or formerly known as Malaya gained her independence from the British on 31
August 1957. The formation of Malaysia in 1963 included the eleven states in the Malay Peninsula,
Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. Due to political circumstances, Singapore was separated from
Malaysia in 1965. Presently, Malaysia has a population of 21.9 million comprising of the Malays
51%, Chinese 35%, other ethnic groups such as the Dayaks, Kadazans, Thais, Eurasians,
Indonesians and Arabs form Indians 10% and the remaining 4%.
With the majority of its population being Muslims, the mosque is a common building found in most
urban and rural areas in the country. The varying architectural styles of the mosques displayed
particular design characteristics, which are reflective of many factors including ethnic culture,
colonialism, technology utilization and the political environment. Using the methods of building
surveys and inspection to record the various types of mosque architecture in Malaysia, this paper
presents a comparative analyses of the mosques built during different periods in the Malaysian
history. The paper also studies the changes in the mosque architecture in Malaysia from vernacular
and colonial influences to modern structures.
In 1887, an inscribed stone was found on the banks of Tarsat River at Kuala Brang, Terengganu,
which is a state in the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. The inscriptions on the stone, which
referred to a Malay kingdom, ruled by Islamic Law, were dated 4 Rejab 702 Hijrah (22 February
1303). This historical evidence has proven that Islam first came to Malaysia, particularly the Malay
Peninsula in the early 14th century. However, besides the inscribed stone, no other evidence either
the ruins or historical records of architectural styles and building materials used in mosques during
that period was discovered.
Tengkera Mosque, Malacca (left), Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar, Perak (centre) and Ibai Mosque
of Kampung Cendering, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu (right)
References:
48
49
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islamic-architecture
https://www.britannica.com/list/8-masterpieces-of-islamic-architecture
http://peopleof.oureverydaylife.com/islamic-mosques-tombs-4255.html
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/early-europe-and-colonial-americas/ap-
art-islamic-world-medieval/a/the-alhambra
http://islamic-arts.org/2011/agra-fort/
http://www.encyclopedia.com/literature-and-arts/art-and-architecture/asian-and-middle-eastern-
art/persian-art-and-architecture
https://courses.marlboro.edu/mod/wiki/view.php?pageid=27
http://www.theottomans.org/english/art_culture/index.asp
http://www.theottomans.org/english/art_culture/edirne.asp
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-suleiman-mosque
http://www.buffaloah.com/a/archsty/moor/moor.html
http://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/moorish-art/
http://islamic-arts.org/2012/architecture-of-the-fatimid/
http://quatr.us/islam/architecture/fatimid.htm
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fatimid-dynasty
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/timu/hd_timu.htm
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1103
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/maml/hd_maml.htm
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mamluk
https://toranas.wordpress.com/2013/07/16/indo-islamic-architecture/
http://parisceramics.com/index.php/glossary/view/684ce236-2d9f-49e7-a28a-ec7645a36415
https://www.britannica.com/art/African-architecture
https://www.britannica.com/art/Chinese-architecture
http://www.hanban.com/chinese-culture/chinese-art/three-types-architecture-china.html
http://www.tibetheritagefund.org/pages/research/tibetan-vernacular-architecture.php
https://www.britannica.com/art/Japanese-architecture
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2111.html
https://www.bestpricevn.com/travelguide/Article_Vietnamese-Architecture-Reflecting-One-Part-Of-
Vietnamese-Culture-157.html
http://cambodianarchitecture.visitwonders.com/en/guide-detail/cambodian-architecture-2-52.html
http://juliesartoni.blogspot.com/2012/03/traditional-architecture-of-indonesia.html
http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/sid/640/thailand/other-statewide/thai-houses
http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/SeminarPaper/PAPERRIYADH.html
http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/SeminarPaper/PAPERRIYADH.html
49