Islamic Architecture

What is Islam?• A religion based on the

teachings of the prophet, Muhammad

• People who worship Islam are called Muslims

• The Muslim God is called, Allah

• The Muslim book of worship is called the Koran

• Muslims pray several times a day in the direction of Mecca

Where Do People Worship Islam?

People Worship Islam in a Mosque

Islamic Art and Architecture. . .• Rarely uses animal or

human form• Uses shapes and

calligraphy• Focus on interior beauty

more than exterior beauty

• Relies on mathematics (geometry) and usually features large domes

Elements of Islamic Architectural Style

• MinaretsMinarets or towers

• Mihrab Mihrab or niche on an inside wall indicating the direction of Mecca

• DomesDomes

• Use of geometric shapes and repetitive art (arabesque)

Domes

• Dome—a circular roof, usually hemispherical in form, placed over a circular, square, oblong, or polygonal space.

Compare and ContrastMedieval Castle Islamic Mosque

You know about the elements of Medieval architecture. Also, consider the purpose of a castle.

Mosque architecture: minarets, domes, use of geometric shapes. A place of worship for Muslims.

Islamic Architecture Focuses on Interior Beauty

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque

• Sometimes called “Pink Mosque”• Built 1876-1888• Located in Shiraz, Iran

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque

Hypothesize. . .

1. Partner w/ the person next to you

2. Think about what you know about Islamic Art and Architecture

3. Develop a hypothesis for why Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque features stained glass

4. Develop a hypothesis for why Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque features geometric designs

Stained Glass in Islamic Art

• Protects people from heat

• Represent the idea that light makes all things possible

• Represents divine enlightenment

Geometric Designs in Islamic Art• Cannot use graven images

per Muhammad• Designs correspond to

meaning • Circles represent the

physical world• Squares represent earth,

air, fire, and water• Endless geometric designs

represent the infinite quality of Allah

Much of Islamic Art relies on :RADIAL SYMMETRY

• What is radial symmetry?

• Radial symmetry is the condition of having similar parts arranged around a central point.

• Remember • Radial----Radiates

• Which one of these uses a central point?

This one radiates from a central point

Our Project. . .

Synthesize what we know about Islamic art and architecture to design and craft a

stained glass window in the Islamic style

1. Discover how geometry is used to make Islamic, geometric designs

2. Practice making a geometric design representing Allah3. Apply concepts of Islamic, geometric design to craft a

window design in a digital program4. Utilize our digital print-out to design and craft our Islamic,

stained-glass window5. Apply concepts of Islamic, geometric design to craft a

mosque façade in which to place our stained glass window

Seal of Solomon-Most famous of Islamic, geometric designs

-supposedly the name of Allah was put on a ring and given to King Solomon

-represents divinity and Allah

Today’s Task. . .Draw an Islamic geometric design that

represents the endless power of Allah, the elements, and the physical world.