HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE ABOUT ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE AND ITS INFLUENCES

1. ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
INFLUENCES

2. Geographical Influence
It is the ancient Greeks who
formulated the word geography.
The etymology of the word
“geography” comes from the
roots: “ge” for earth and
“grapho” for “to write.”
Therefore geography is all
about the records and accounts
of the earth.

3. Geographical Influence
Two (2) kinds of Geography
2. Cultural Geography
1. Physical Geography
Focused on peoples and culture- is the study of human
interaction with the land which includes language, religion,
medicine, cities, economics, entertainment and much more.
studies focused on the planet earth/ boundaries of the earth

4. Arabs and Geography
Arabs did not have a proper idea of
Geography
•It is when they interacted with the people of Syria, Egypt, India,
Africa, China and other nations for commercial, religious and
social purposes, their concept of geography began to take shape

5. Arabs and Geography
During the early period of Islam, Mecca was considered to be a
centre of culture and trade.
Commerce gave material prosperity, while ka’ba (the sanctuary
of Mecca) gave its religious influence and power over the Arabs

6. Arabs and Geography
Conquered lands are demanded to provide a short
description
of the land’s geography

7. Arabs as Conquerors
Because they have conquered a lot
of lands, therefore, they also
shaped the culture, trade, and
identity of that place.
Because conquering a place does
not only mean governing that land.
It is influencing that land and
indoctrinating the people.

8. Geological Influence
The Land of Arabia is largely
sandy plain, partly steppe
land (grass land) and partly
desert.
However, the materials used
in the Islamic period buildings
are rather diverse including
bricks, chalk, tiles, stone,
wood and glass.

9. Geological Influence
1. BRICK - making and pile walling were
almost universal in alluvial or muddy
plains. Bricks are local materials and
efficient architecture in Iran. However,
Brickwork techniques flourished in pre-
Islamic period of Achaemenid palaces.
Achaemenid architecture includes all
architectural achievements of the Achaemenid
Persians-- most of the materials used there are
bricks. From their facades, to their interiors, to
their roofs and other decorations.

10. Geological Influence
Background of brick before Islam
For the first time, the peoples of the Mesopotamian land
began to bake bricks. The word “brick” is actually
Babylonian and the name of the clay-writings which at
that time the orders and charms were carved on.
Brickwork was quite popular
from the Seljuk period and is
one of the most important
applications in the
inscriptions

11. Geological Influence
EARLY ISLAMIC BRICKWORK
In the early Islamic centuries
most of the buildings were
known with bricks like columns.
Mosque of Susa Tarikhane Mosque
It can be said that during this period, due to
the simplicity, simple-living and
introversion influenced by the teachings
and thoughts of Islam,no special
brickworking is seen.

12. Geological Influence
EARLY ISLAMIC BRICKWORK
Mosque of Susa Tarikhane Mosque
It seems that the element of brick in the first and second centuries was used as materials in
buildings, especially mosques, thus playing a more structural role in the buildings and not as a
decorative element. It was only later around 3rd-5th century that it was used as a decorative
element.

13. Geological Influence
2. MARBLE
Marble was sought for a range of
reasons, including its ability to evoke
power through associations with the
past, and mostly its beauty.

14. Geological Influence
2. MARBLE
Great cities to emulate: The touchstones (the standard) for the
Muslims were Constantinople and Rome, both of which were written
of with wonder and exaggeration.

15. Geological Influence
2. MARBLE
12th century traveler, geographer and poet
praises some roman structures with marble
saying…
“When the sun strikes them, such light
and brightness shine from them that the
beholder conceives them to be gold,
dazzling the eyes with their rays.”

16. Geological Influence
2. WOOD
•Another material common in Islamic architecture is Wood
•In the distant past, wood is used because it’s the most
available material,
•But late on, as nations developed, the use of materials is not
for basic purposes anymore. It was eventually used for
decorative purposes to enhance the beauty of the structure.
•And the emphasis of Iranian architecture is on beauty.
Iranians have always had great respect for the beauty
over the centuries Aesthetics is important therefore wood
became an integral part of Islamic Architecture

17. Climatic Influence
The climate in the Middle East is pretty
consistent throughout the region with only
two seasons: winter and summer.
Rainfall is almost nonexistent as most
Middle Eastern countries consist of semi-
arid and desert terrain, although the
countries along the Mediterranean coast
and the northern areas of Iraq, Iran and
Turkey experience wet and freezing
conditions in the winter months. On the flip
side, summer temps in the Middle East can
reach up to 50 degrees Celsius where even
the seawater is a warm, salty soup.

18. Climatic Influence
•The art and architecture of Islamic
territories** are distinctive in two senses :
•one of the is the fact that they have been
developed and transformed in the course
of time in compliance with the respective
era and they have appeared as more and
more impeccable from one period to the
next.
•The latter distinctive fact is that, they have
been greatly influenced by the climatic
environment, climate and culture of their
immediate surrounding as far as the
influence would not contradict the Islamic
beliefs and practices.

19. Climatic Influence
XIV. The Courtyard and some its functions
The word hayāt [courtyard] has Arabic
origins, and is defined as an enclosed or
semi-enclosed open space.
Courtyard function:
•Once the prayer hall was full, the surplus
crowd of prayers would stand in the
courtyard for Jemaah or Friday prayers.
•Used for socializing
•Lighting, ventilation and providing access
were also among the functions of the
courtyard.