Project 2: Case Study: Islamic Architecture Buildings

Islamic architecture is an architecture that was arisen through the rise of Islam. It is architecture of faith with thefundamentals of Islam as its main grounds therefore possesses its own unique characteristic. The features canbe identified from the distinct unifying characteristic that tend to unite the vast diverse forms, construction fabric,virtues and culture developed through history, into a unique distinguishable functional Islamic architecture. Oneof the main features of Islamic architecture is its diversifying characteristic yet unified architecture owing to one ofimportant Islamic principle that is the principle of “Urf” (customs). This principle establishes Islamic concept ofacceptance of the habitual customs of the local community comply with the Sharia’ law as Islamic way of life.Such recognition to locality tradition where local distinctiveness contributes to the main architectural activitiesplayed a very important role in encouraging and shaping the diversifying architecture of Islam.This project encompasses a study of an Islamic building or institution in Asia such as Malaysia to understand theelements constitute to the diversified and unified aspects of Islamic architecture as well as the effects of it to thespiritual emotion through the concept of spiritual senses of space (from the concept of sense of place). This isachieved by examining the application and integration of the Islamic principles, tradition, modernization andglobalization in the development of the building and using phenomenology theory, studies its relation to thespiritual experience of the people occupied the space.Students are required to visit and conduct a study (site observation, interview session and document study) of anIslamic architectural building and present in power point the findings through data tabulation comprises ofimages, series of photographs and short written descriptions.

Project learning outcomes: 
• Explain the development of the diversity and unifying aspects of Islamic architecture
• Understand the spaces’ features, and spiritual sense of places through spiritual experience of Islamic
architecture.
• Describe the understanding of architectural language of the Islamic architectural development

• Create on-line data account of the study and analysis interpretation of Islamic architecture

Presentation slide information 

Interviews Transcripts :

Tourist (Romania)

Q:        What is the most unique feature of the mosque?

A:        The look of the building. The patterns on the panels look good. The reason I come here is it feels good.

Q:        The ambiance of the place?

A:        The water content (water body) and the building make people feel good.

Q:        How you perceive the space (how do you feel) in the main hall?

A:        The open space makes people feels free. The ornament and texture is beautiful. I feel calm and peaceful in the building. Every mosque I visited has the same feeling.

Tourist (Australia)

Q:        Is this your first visit to this mosque?

A:        Yes, this is my first time.

Q:        What do you feel in this mosque?

A:        I’m from Melbourne, Australia. Unfortunately we don’t have mosque as big and as beautiful as this, the mosques in Melbourne are load smaller. There is one mosque in Melbourne is a bit bigger than others, but not quite as big and as beautiful as this mosque, so I really enjoy visiting this mosque. The scale of the building, the wideness of the space, the beautiful fences and beautiful image u can take around, so everything is pretty much 10 out of 10.

Q:        What is your feeling and experience walking through the building?

A:        I feel very spiritual, if I’m a Muslim, this will put a really big smile on my face that we have such beautiful places like this around the world that u can go in and meet other Muslims and praying, I will feel very good inside.

Q:        What is the most unique part of the mosque?

A:        Everything, even the place you wash before you pray. There is enough room for hundreds and thousands of people go in to wash themselves and come in there. The place is shaded very well. The wide of the zone and the inside of the hall is very beautiful.  

Volunteer Worker (Chinese Philippine)

A:        There are two umbrella in the mosque design, one is opened and another is closed. And there is another one at the back which is semi-opened. So the meaning of this concept of the design of the masjid is we need an umbrella to protect ourselves from the sun and from the rain, so this is something like we are under the god protection. So that is the concept of the masjid design.

Q:        So how long have u been working here?

A:        I have been working here for two month and I am a volunteer. Actually I am a Chinese Philippine but I convert to Islam, I am still learning, I am telling you whatever I know, if there is anything that u guys are not sure about then have to ask my brothers, they know more than me. I hope this few information will help you guys in your assignment.

Q:        It helps a lot! Thank you so much!

A:        You are welcome.

Volunteer Worker (Malay)

A: In your point of view, what is the most unique feature of the mosque?

A: I think the most unique feature about the mosque is the dome. Because the normally when you talk about mosque is always represented by a dome. But here the dome is special because it looks like a semi-opened umbrella so this is the main difference. I think maybe this is the only mosque in the world having this kind of dome. Maybe according what I was told, when the architect designing this building, they said we always associate Malaysia with rain, and of course we always using umbrella, so that is how their idea semi-opened umbrella comes.

Q: So other than this, do you find any special elements of this mosque?

A: So basically when you talk about a mosque is always u need a big space for people to come and communicate and also some other features like we have a lot of opened spaces between allay area so that is the main idea, so that u can get the feeling of peacefulness in the mosque.

Q: Ok, so thank you so much!

A: You are welcome, is my pleasure.

Masjid Negara . The icon of Kuala Lumpur

Picture Source from Wikimedia

It is indeed an amazing place.

When I first step into Masjid Negara, one of the most eye catching elements of the building is the umbrella concept dome. This is by far the most significant feature I’ve seen compared to other mosques I encounter, as the meaning directly penetrates into our religion and culture both architecturally and aesthetically. Another part that gives me an impression is the sense of place in the mosque. Standing at the middle of a big hall supported by long columns, added with façade crafted by calligraphies, being there can just create a feeling of peaceful and holiness of space. Even going out of the building, the arrangement and planning directs people into the building and the design attracts people of a wanting of interest to learn more about Islam. Therefore, Masjid Negara to me is a successful mosque that has all the 7 Unifying Principles of Islamic Architecture.