MODERN ISLAMIC

ARCHITECTURE
 MODERN ISLAMIC
ARCHITECTURE
- Emerged after the end of caliphates during the
Turkish Republic on 1924.

- A concept of old Islamic architecture but with a

sense of having a modernistic or adapting
today’s date of relevancy.

- Revolves around the entirety of Islamic

traditional structure, though concluding ever-
changing role in the modern world.
 MODERN ISLAMIC
ARCHITECTURE
- Modern Islamic Architecture can be often seen
through blending of old and new – this is
especially true when using modern design motifs

- Islamic traditional architecture no longer

dictates the entirety of the design used

- Revolves around the entirety of Islamic

traditional structure, though concluding ever-
changing role in the modern world
 THE ABOLITION OF
CALIPHATES
- Due to Turkish National Movement, and the
War of Independence, it was declared that the
titles Sultanate and Caliphate to be separated.

- In November 1922, the latter was abolished and

on 1924, it was declared the total abolition of
Caliphates
- Later, the Turkish introduced the concept of
political institution, and declaring a republic.
 THE ABOLITION OF
CALIPHATES
- During the year 1922, the reigning-to-be
caliphate, Prince Abdulmejid was elected by the
National Turkish Assembly.

- The first president of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal,

ordered to outright the caliphate, declaring it as
powerless, and nothing but a mere nominal
figurehead.

- After over 600 years, the Ottoman Empire had

officially ceased to exist.
 THE ABOLITION OF
CALIPHATES

- Since titles of Sultanate and Caliphate have

been already diminished, the latter was
introduced to rule the ummah – the Ulama or the
Islamic Scholars

- Ulama is a modern caliphate, they are

knowledgeable in the world of Islam community,
they do not rule, but comprehend the rulings in
Islam
 BRIEF HISTORY OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
- Modern times call for modern style. Islamic
structures have gone through some changes.

- The new architectural style does not completely

stick with old fundamentals aspects observed
during the Old Era.

- However, they still feature common parts like

Mihrab, Minarets, Four-iwan Plan, Minbar,
and the Pishtaq
 BRIEF HISTORY OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
- The influence of old Islamic architecture still
pervades the style of creation itself, and provides
contextual framework.
- It has been widely influenced by meeting
different cultural aspects, leading to
incorporating newer features and styles.

- Islamic Architecture is a style that showcases

the values, and the culture of Islam, but in
modern times sticking to tradition is falling out of
practice, so a combination style formed.
 URBAN ISLAMIC
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
- Ever since caliphates have been ended, no one
dictates what should be the modern Mosque
should look like and is considered as versatile.

- Different architectural style movements have

greatly affected the motif of every modernist
Mosques.
- The concept brings up controversy of the
identity of the Islamic community, within the
space that does not follow that way it has to be.
 DEBATES ON STATUS OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

- The founding of social and economic trends is

seen as distinguishing concept and have no
bearings on the architectural style.

- Many debate that the Islamic style, is not an

architectural concept, as religious elements hold
no strong foundation – cultural over architectural
 DEBATES ON STATUS OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

- Islamic scholars have debated that the style is

not necessary but the environmental markers
should be apparent – like the sound of the prayer.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Domes usually appear as a part of roofs and

ceilings and are hemispherical structures.
Domes can stand upon a rotunda structure, a
drum, or a system of interlocking pendentives.
The apex of the dome may feature an Oculus Sheikh Zayed Mosque (Abu Dhabi,
2007) designed by Yusef Abdelki
to permit natural light inside.
 
CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Arches are prominent elements found in

Islamic Architecture and their placement
usually defines the entrances to buildings and
rooms.
  Sheikh Zayed Mosque (Abu Dhabi,
2007) designed by Yusef Abdelki
CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Minarets appear as a part of the architecture

of Mosques in the form of towers and it often
features one or more balconies. The towers act
as visual aids to direct people towards the
mosque, and they also act as focal points
during the Islamic call for prayers.
Hassan III Mosque (Casablanca,
1993) designed by Michel Pinseau
CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Arabesque is an Islamic decoration that

includes geometrical patterns, floral motifs,
and calligraphy.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque (Abu Dhabi,
2007) designed by Yusef Abdelki
CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Hypostyle Halls entered the Islamic world

during the Umayyad Dynasty. The shape of
these halls are typically rectangular or square,
and the columns are arranged according to a
grid pattern.
 
CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
The Courtyards – most mosques and palaces
belonging to Islamic Architecture feature large
courtyards that can house large gatherings of
people during festive occasions and prayers.
Arcades surround these courtyards. These
courtyards feature fountains for the people to
perform ablution before prayers.
 
CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Gardens provide respite during summers to
the people. The gardens display water features
like large marble fountains and ponds adorned
with lotuses and lilies. These gardens often
have a quadrilateral layout. The Holy Qur’an
features many references to gardens which
symbolizes paradise on earth. Islamic gardens
also can be linked to serenity and literary
sense.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
- Ornamentation includes epigraphs, verses of
holy book, brickwork and geometric
ornamentation and calligraphy. Arabesque
designs are exclusive to Islam and are created
from two elements: intertwined designs and
vegetable schemes. Intertwined designs are
essentially a showcase of geometric thought.
FLOOR PLANS OF MODERN ISLAMIC
ARCHITECTURE

The Faisal Mosque

FLOOR PLANS OF MODERN ISLAMIC
ARCHITECTURE
FLOOR PLANS OF MODERN ISLAMIC
ARCHITECTURE

Cologne Central Mosque

MATERIALS USED IN MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Materials used in the Islamic period buildings are

rather diverse including bricks, chalk, tiles, stone, wood
and glass. Initially raw adobe was used as the main
material, then it was replaced by bricks and so far it has
had the most usage in mosques. Also, chalk was used
for the interior part of the mosques. And glass has had
an important role in lighting the interior of the mosque
and adding spirituality to it.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION OF
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Space

The Muslim architect considers the rhyme of ascension

in all his buildings and seeks to transcend from the
earthly realm and reach a greater and more meaningful
space and also free himself from the changes and
evolutions of this world.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION OF
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Shape

The universe is made up of a certain but unseen truth,

and it will return to it. Shapes have always been in the
perfect purity and perfection; It is this purity and
perfection that attributes architecture with a
metaphysical characteristic and brings it closer to the
images of the other realm.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION OF
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Symmetry

Symmetry in architecture is inspired by nature.

Symmetry itself consists of two types: vertical and
horizontal. In vertical symmetry the image of the
building was created so using the waterfront, and in
horizontal symmetry wall opposite to each other are
identical.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION OF
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Orientation

The whole building is oriented towards Qibla. The

rotation of Mosques towards the nearby rows comes
from the same respect.
In contrast to the general view that is oriented towards
Qibla, the interior of the mosque is completely without
orientation and intends to respect the lack of any visual
discrimination in the mosque by either absolute plurality
or absolute simplicity.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION OF
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Color

Although the Muslim architect sees the visual meaning

of colors but seeks other concepts beyond it. He
demonstrates the total unity of space by the contrasting
colors placed besides each other, and he is inspired by
his worldview in such a use of colors.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION OF
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Light

Light enters the mosque through the use of glass in the

windows and spirituality to the space
TIMELINE OVER TIME OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

1971 - The Shayad Tower (Memorial of Kings) was built in Tehran. After
the Islamic revolution of 1979, it was renamed Azadi Tower
TIMELINE OVER TIME OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

1984 - The Freedom Mosque in Jakarta was 1986 - The King Faisal Mosque was completed in
completed by Indonesian architect Frederick Islamabad, Pakistan by Turkish architect
Silaban
TIMELINE OVER TIME OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

1999 - The Burj Al Arab tower was 2008 - Museum of Islamic Art,
completed in Dubai Doha Qatar
TIMELINE OVER TIME OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

2012 - Sancaklar Mosque,

2010 - The tallest building in the world was
Buyukcekmece Turkey
completed, the Burj Khalifa
TIMELINE OVER TIME OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

2017 - King Abdullah Financial District Grand

Mosque, Riyadh Saudi Arabia
2018 - Gevora Hotel, the world’s tallest hotel was built
in Dubai
TIMELINE OVER TIME OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

2018 - Palace of Justice,

2019 - The tallest minaret was attached to the Djamaa el
Cordoba Spain
Djazaïr (The Great Mosque of Algiers) in Algeria
TIMELINE OVER TIME OF MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

2022 - Museum of Future was

complete in Dubai
MODERNIST ARCHITECTS OF
MODERN ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Faisal Masjid (Islamabad - Pakistan,

1987)
Vedat Dalokay
MODERNIST ARCHITECTS OF
MODERN ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Hassan II Masjid in Casablanca,

Morocco, 1993 Michel Pinseau
MODERNIST ARCHITECTS OF
MODERN ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Sheikh Zayed Masjid, Abu Dhabi, Yousef Abdelky

UAE, 2007
MODERNIST ARCHITECTS OF
MODERN ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

The Abraj Al-Bait Tower, Mecca, SL Rasch and Dar Al-Handasah

KSA, 2002 Architects
MODERNIST ARCHITECTS OF
MODERN ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Henning Larsen
Contemporary Mosque, Copenhagen,
2915
MODERNIST ARCHITECTS OF
MODERN ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Bjarker Ingel
MODERNIST ARCHITECTS OF
MODERN ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

RUX Design

The Vanishing Mosque, Abu Dhabi,

UAE
TERMINOLOGY USED IN MODERN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Ablution – cleansing of ones’ self by washing.
Mihrab – a niche opening indicating the qibla and the head of the prayer.
Rotunda – a large room covered by a central dome.
Dome – is a hollow spherical element of a structure.
Riwaq – is an arcade found in hallway, the opens at least on one side.
Minaret – is a tall tower that is used to call the prayer.
Minbar – a raised platform where the Imam preaches.
Qibla – the point of direction of the prayer.
Four-Iwan Plan – is a common Masjid plan, that has four iwans or served as entrances or
gateways.