The Significance of Architecture in Islamic Society
Date Added
11/07/2019
Content Type
Article
Category
Websites
Link to Content
Author
Tasha Brandstatter
Publisher Name
classroom.synonym.com
Year of Publication
2017
Description
In every society,
architecture in some way reflects the ideals, practices and beliefs of the
people who live, work and worship in the buildings of their cities or towns.
Islamic architecture is influenced by the Quran and the cultures of Arabia and
the Mid-East from which it originated. Both secular and religious Islamic
architecture reinforces concepts of unity, impermanence and beauty.
Mosques
and Unity
There are three basic designs for mosques. The first is
a hypostyle hall, or open courtyard surrounded by pillars, with the mihrab
niche and qibla wall at the far end from the entrance. The second type is the
four-iwan mosque, which has its origins in Persia. Iwans are barrel-vaulted
halls with large, arched entrances. In a four-iwan mosque, the iwans face one
another from across an open courtyard. The third mosque design is that of the
central plan, which became popular under the Ottoman Turks. They have a central
space under a large dome. All three mosque plans emphasize the unity of the
space and of people under God.
Souqs
and Impermanence
Souqs are open-air markets, and can be found in nearly
every major Middle Eastern city. The design of the souq, with covered streets
-- usually by awnings -- and temporary storefronts that are pulled up at the
end of the day recall the importance of journeying in both Islam, as seen in
the tradition of the hajj, as well as in the Arab culture that gave birth to
Islam. The idea of a temporary marketplace as the heart of commerce and culture
reflects the idea that all earthly things are impermanent. Private Homes
The Islamic palace most Westerners are familiar with is
the Alhambra, which is really a small city-fortress atop a hill overlooking
Granada, Spain. Beyond austere walls, the Alhambra is a complex interweaving of
pattern, light, sound, water and geometry meant to create Paradise on Earth. On
a more average scale, typical homes in the Middle East tend to be plain on the
exterior, with no richly decorated interiors, often with a courtyard so people
can go outdoors without leaving the home. Modern Design
The predominance of Western building styles and the
speed and growth of modern cities leave many new constructions lacking the reflection
of unity, impermanence and beauty that has been an essential part of Islamic
architecture for centuries. Garry Martin in the essay "Building in the
Middle East Today -- in Search of a Direction" suggests architects need to
understand these ideologies of Islamic architecture while incorporating them
with modern materials, instead of trying to use only the old style of
architecture.