Islamic architectural
geometry
By: Hamzah Syed
Why choose this topic??
• This topic gives me an opportunity to see more about my
culture and it gave me a chance to learn about how
mathematics plays a role in Islamic art.
• We embark on a journey to explore the geometry of Islamic
architecture, unraveling its rich tapestry of patterns,
symbolism, and cultural significance.
Historical Development
• The historical development of Islamic architectural
geometry is intricately linked to the broader advancements
in science and technology that occurred in the Middle East,
Iran, and Central Asia during the 8th and 9th centuries.
• Expansion and development of geometry in Islamic art and
the architecture were spurred by the significant growth of
scientific knowledge, which was facilitated by the
translation of ancient texts from languages such as Sanskrit
and even Greek.
Islamic architecture overall
• Islamic architects developed sophisticated
techniques for tiling curved surfaces, drawing
upon principles of spherical geometry and
conic sections to create seamless patterns that
conform to the underlying curvature. One
such technique involves the subdivision of the
curved surface into smaller geometric panels,
each of which is individually tiled with a
repeated pattern.
Important Milestones
• One key milestone in the historical development
of Islamic architectural geometry was the
establishment of geometric vocabulary and design
principles that laid the foundation for
architectural innovation.
• Islamic architects developed a rich collection of
geometric motifs, including stars, polygons, and
arabesques, which were used to create detailed
tessellations and various decorative patterns.
• Arabesque in Islamic art refers to a complex,
intricate, and often symmetrical decorative motif
characterized by flowing lines, geometric
patterns, and floral elements.
• For Example: Al Hambra Palace
One of the challenges in Islamic
architecture
• There have been many challenges in the Islamic architectural patterns, especially in its applications.
The application of geometric patterns on curved surfaces presents architects with unique challenges
that require innovative solutions to maintain visual coherence and structural integrity. One of the
primary challenges is the adaptation of traditional geometric techniques to accommodate the
curvature of architectural elements such as domes, arches, and vaults. Unlike flat surfaces, curved
surfaces introduce complexities in the arrangement and alignment of geometric motifs, requiring
architects to devise methods for tiling and different ways of patterning.
Another challenge in Islamic architecture
• Another challenge in working with curved
surfaces is the need to balance straight edges
with the curvature of architectural elements.
Architects must carefully consider the transition
between flat and curved surfaces, ensuring the
geometric pattern follows the contours of the
structure without any type of discontinuity. This
requires the use of scaling, rotation, and
skewing, to adapt the pattern to the changing
geometry of a surface. For example, in the
design of the Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain,
geometric patterns transition seamlessly from the
flat surfaces of the walls to the curved arches and
domes, creating a sense of continuity in the
architectural composition
Putting it all together
• Islamic architecture represents a rich and multifaceted tradition that
reflects the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual heritage of Islamic
civilization. From its historical roots in the advancements of science and
mathematics to its contemporary applications in art and design, Islamic
geometric design continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the
world.
References
•References:
•Abdullahi, Y., & Embi, M. R. B. (2013). Evolution of Islamic geometric patterns. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 101, 439-
447.
•El-Said, I., & Parman, A. (2008). Islamic art and architecture: The system of geometric design. Garnet Publishing.
•Brough, E. (2013). Islamic geometric patterns. Thames & Hudson.
•Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Dome of the Rock. In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 5/6/2024, from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dome-of-the-Rock
•History.com Editors. (n.d.). Alhambra. In History.com. Retrieved 5/6/2024, from https://www.history.com/topics/landmarks/alhambra
•Smart history. (n.d.). The Great Mosque of Córdoba. In Smart history. Retrieved 5/6/2024, from https://smarthistory.org/the-great-
mosque-of-cordoba/
