Islamic architecture

This module explores the chronology of architectural history as it advances over Islamic periods from the Prophet Muhammad to Ottoman. The subject also tracks the Islamic influences to architecture of various part of the world especially India, China and Malaysia. The study of Islamic architecture will be within the organization of architectural design and construction, building science and technology, and urban design. As the outcomes of the subject, students will develop an illustrative research analysis of the principles of Islamic Architecture and interpret the Islamic architectural language through case study, verbal and digital presentation.

Project 1
Research Time-line Analysis
Students are to distinguish the following principles:
a. The Seven Unifying principles of Islamic architecture:
viii. Architecture as Tawhid: Unity & Uniquity of Allah)
ix. Architecture of Ihtiram: Respect
x. Architecture with Ikhlas: Sincerity
xi. Architecture as Pursuit of ‘Ilm: Knowledge
xii. Architecture for Iqtisad: Balance
xiii. Architecture of Haya’: Modesty
xiv. Architecture as Dikr: Remembrance
b. The Diversifying principle of Islamic Architecture:
i. Architectural principle of ‘Urf
and investigate through research papers, literature analysis and readings on the
chronology of Islamic architectural history and practices as it advances over Islamic periods in the region of Southeast Asia and Malaysia in the effort to understand and generate an analysis accounts of the interrelations of the divine principles of Islam with Islamic architecture practices in Malaysia.
This project is divided into::
1a. Group work: The first outcome of the project will be an A3 sized illustrative chronology poster of Islamic Architecture that interprets the Islamic architectural language and the unifying and
diversifying principles of Islamic architecture influences to the architectural development of the Southeast Asia countries in general and Malaysia in particular.

Group southeast Asia timeline.

1b. Individual work: The second outcome of the project is a submission of a short article/write up and presentation of an interpretation of the Islamic architectural language featuring the unifying and
diversifying principles of Islamic architecture influences in Malaysian Islamic architectural chronology anddevelopment. The writeup covers exploration of themes and relevant issues, and must include APA references and bibliography.

Learning Outcomes of this Project

 Analyze and discuss the relationship of the seven principles of Islamic architecture and the Islamic religious dogmas of faith with social, cultural, environmental and intellectual context of Islamic architecture throughout prominent Islamic periods

 Differentiate the way in which many varied factors contribute to the development of Islamic architecture and urbanism.

 Produce, illustratively, orally and in text, a critical chronology analysis interpretation of Islamic architecture and urbanism in relation to the fundamental of Islamic principles within the historical discourse of Islamic architecture.

 A continuous chronology poster.

 An on-line data account of the Islamic chronology analysis interpretation of Islamic architecture and urbanism which also contains references and bibliography. 

Project 2

Case Study: Islamic Architecture Buildings

Objective
The objectives of this project are as follows:
To nurture research skills in data gathering and tabulation, and critical photographic analysis and synthesis.
To enrich students’ soft skills in conducting research activities.
To encourage critical understanding of architecture with relation to spiritual and religious philosophy, principles, teachings and values encounter through an exploration of literature and fieldwork survey relating to the Islamic architecture.
To develop students’ awareness of philosophical aspects of Islamic architecture.

Task 1 (Individual):
Through literature studies you are to conduct literature review (in the form of analysis
sketches and Write-up) on the Islamic philosophy, principles, teachings and values of a mosque design development aspects which are covered under the research scopes listed below.
By examine at least 5 latest related research papers (3 of the papers should be within 5 years of age) conduct
literature review based on the questions below:
i. Through the questions of “What?” “Who?” “Where?” and/or “When?”, explain the definition,
types, principles, philosophies, research method, and/or issues to one of the research
attributes listed below.
ii. Through the questions of “Why?” and “How?”, compare by examine and note the similarities or
differences as well as differentiate by giving the examples of distinctive feature, attribute, or
trait to the research attributes.

Learning Outcomes of this Project
 Explain the spiritual and religious aspects of Islamic architecture
 Understand the sense of places through patrons’ spiritual experience of Islamic architecture.
 Describe the understanding of architectural language of the Islamic architectural development
 Create on-line data account of the literature study and analysis of Islamic architecture.