Architecture

Figure 1.7 - Freeman, M., (2009) Dome of the Rock, a Muslim shrine in Jerusalem.

On the topic of architecture, I have chosen to look at the large elements and structure on a whole as one part, and to look at the exterior and interior decorations as a separate part. For the sake of creating a better understanding within this report, part one will be referred to as "architecture" and part two as "Interior/exterior architecture".

Architecture
In this research, Islamic architecture refers to Masjids (place of prayer), tombs, palaces, madrassas (schools) and shrines. Distinctive features in Islamic architecture can be seen in the shapes of and decoration on domes, arches and minarets, which are influenced by the Byzantine empire.

Masjids and madrasas (see figure 1.8) were the foundation of Islamic architecture and were created to represent a place of peace. The structure is built so that people are drawn to the exterior because of beautiful art that decorates it, and the interior surrounds them with harmonious patterns, colours and visually pleasing elements full of geometrical secrets. In the Quran, the term "Masjid" signifies a sanctuary (Papadopoulo, A. 1979).

Something interesting that I have learnt, through my research, is that architecture, and most other forms of art, are a lot like people. Since the beginning of time, people have evolved and changed as they traveled to different parts of the world over thousands of years. With them, they carried the knowledge of their own people, which they merged with the style and resources of the people that they came to and eventually created a whole new design style.

Figure 1.8 - Papadopoulo, A. (1979). Courtyard of the Alhambra, Granada

Interior/ exterior architecture

Regarding Interior and Exterior Architecture, I am looking at arabesque patterns, calligraphy and geometric designs which are mostly two dimensional in nature. These kinds of two-dimensional decorative elements can be found on ceilings, walls (inside and outside), and windows, while on floors, these elements can be found in arabesque and geometrical designs only.  

An aspect that intrigues me is how simple arabesques, the font of Arabic writing, or the materials used can be traced back to a country or a period in Islamic history. For example, there are so many differences between Masjids all over the world yet they all manage to carry a unique "accents", while essentially existing for the same purpose.

Researching this topic has brought me to ponder over the amount of detailing that goes into creating these large structures, the mathematics that needs to be applied while incorporating arabesques and calligraphic art. I feel like a comparison can be made between designing and planning a Masjid and a piece of jewellery, although the scale may be very different.