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ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Islamic architecture, building traditions of Muslim populations of the Middle East and
elsewhere from the 7th century on. Islamic architecture finds its highest expression in religious
buildings such as the mosque and madrasah. Early Islamic religious architecture, exemplified by
Jerusalems Dome of the Rock (ad 691) and the Great Mosque (705) in Damascus, drew on
Christian architectural features such as domes, columnar arches, and mosaics but also included
large courts for congregational prayer and a mihrab. From early times, the characteristic
semicircular horseshoe arch and rich, nonrepresentational decoration of surfaces were employed.
Religious architecture came into its own with the creation of the hypostyle mosque ( see hypostyle
hall) in Iraq and Egypt. In Iran a mosque plan consisting of four eyvans (vaulted halls) opening
onto a central court was used. These brick-built mosques also incorporated domes and decorated
squinches (see Byzantine architecture) across the corners of the rooms. Persian architectural
features spread to India, where they are found in the Taj Mahal and Mughal palaces. Ottoman
architecture, derived from Islamic and Byzantine traditions, is exemplified by the Selimiye Mosque
(1575) at Edirne, Tur., with its great central dome and slender minarets. One of the greatest
examples of secular Islamic architecture is the Alhambra.

Mosque
Arabic masjid or jmi , any house or open area of prayer in Islam.
The Arabic word masjid means a place of prostration to God, and
the same word is used in Persian, Urdu, and Turkish. Two main
types of mosques can be distinguished: the masjid jmi, or
collective mosque, a large state-controlled mosque that is the
centre of community worship and the site of Friday prayer services;
and smaller mosques operated privately by various groups within
society.
The Prophets Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia, containing the tomb
of Muhammad. It is one of the
Nabeel TurnerStone/Getty Images

The first mosques were modeled on the place of worship of the

Prophet Muhammadthe courtyard of his house at Medinaand
were simply plots of ground marked out as sacred. Though the
mosque as such has undergone many architectural changes, the
building remains essentially an open space, generally roofed over,
containing a mi rb and a minbar, with a minaret sometimes
attached to it. The mi rb, a semicircular niche reserved for the
imm to lead the prayer, points to the giblah, i.e., the direction of Mecca. The minbar, a seat at the
top of steps placed at the right of the mi rb, is used by the preacher (khab)
as a pulpit. In the
early days of Islam the rulers delivered their speeches from the minbar. Occasionally there is also
a maqsrah, a box or wooden screen near the mi rb, which was originally designed to shield a
worshiping ruler from assassins. Mats or carpets cover the floor of the mosque, where the ritual
prayer (salat) is performed by rows of men who bow and prostrate themselves under the imms
guidance.

Islamic Tombs
An Islamic tomb, should a Muslim elect to have one instead of a simple burial and headstone,
usually consists of a single chamber that contains the dead person's body. It is common for an
Islamic tomb to be decorated with Quranic inscriptions. Larger tombs, such as those for Muslim
saints -- often mystics called Sufis -- can be decorated with a dome. The notion of Islamic tombs is
often controversial because of Islam's emphasis on avoiding anything close to idol worship.

Taj Mahal

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In 1631 Mumtaz Mahal, the third and favorite wife of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
(reigned 162858), died while giving birth to the couples fourteenth child. Devastated, the
emperor commissioned the Taj Mahal, a massive mausoleum complex on the southern bank of the
Yamuna (Jumna) River that ultimately took more than 20 years to complete. Today the Taj Mahal is
the most famous piece of Islamic architecture in the world, with the possible exception of the
Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. The monument is remarkable both for its size (the finial of the
dome of the central mausoleum stands 240 feet [73 meters] above ground level) and for its
graceful form, which combines elements of
Indian, Islamic, and Persian design. From afar,
viewers are dazzled by the white marble of the
central tomb, which appears to change color with
daylight. Up close, the building is richly decorated
with Arabic calligraphy and inlays of semiprecious
stones. Inside there are cenotaphs (false tombs)
for Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan; the actual
tombs are in a chamber beneath the ground floor.
As early as the 1660s, travelers reported that
Shah Jahan had intended to build a matching
mausoleum for himself out of black granite on the
opposite bank of the Yamuna; modern scholars,
however, regard this as a legend with no basis in
fact.

Palace

The Alhambra in Granada, Spain, is distinct among Medieval palaces for its sophisticated
planning, complex decorative programs, and its many enchanting gardens and fountains. Its
intimate spaces are built at a human scale that visitors find elegant and inviting.
The Alhambra, an abbreviation of the Arabic: Qalat al-Hamra, or red fort, was built by the Nasrid
Dynasty (1232-1492)the last Muslims to rule in Spain. Muhammad ibn Yusuf ibn Nasr (known as
Muhammad I) founded the Nasrid Dynasty and secured this region in 1237. He began construction
of his court complex, the Alhambra, on Sabika hill the following year.

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FORT
The Agra Fort

Near the gardens of the Taj Mahal stands the important 16th-century Mughal monument
known as the Red Fort of Agra. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its
2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale
palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such
as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques.
Walls of the Red Fort of Agra

The Red Fort and the Taj Mahal bear an

exceptional and complementary testimony to a
civilization which has disappeared, that of the Mogul
Emperors. Agras history goes back more than 2,500
years, but it was not until the reign of the Mughals that
Agra became more than a provincial city. Humayun,
son of the founder of the Mogul Empire, was offered
jewellery and precious stones by the family of the Raja
of Gwalior, one of them the famous Koh-i-Noor. The
heyday of Agra came with the reign of Humayuns son,
Akbar the Great. During his reign, the main part of the
Agra Fort was built.

The Red Fort of Agra is a powerful fortress founded in 1565 by the Emperor Akbar (1556-
1605) on the right bank of the Yamuna; it is placed today on the north-west extremity of the Shah
Jahan Gardens which surround the Taj Mahal and clearly form, with them, a monumental unity.

Diwan-i-Aam (Audience Hall), Red Fort of Agra The

Khas Mahal (Marble Pavillon), Red Fort of Agra

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Carved marble window in the Khas Mahal (Marble Pavillon),

Red Fort of Agra
PERSIAN ARCHITECTURE
Persian art and architecture, works of art and structures
produced in the region of Asia traditionally known as Persia and now called Iran. Bounded by fierce
mountains and deserts, the high plateau of Iran has seen the flow of many migrations and the
development of many cultures, all of which have added distinctive features to the many styles of
Persian art and architecture. There are excellent collections of Persian art in Tehran; the
Metropolitan Museum; the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The Taq-i Kisra is a Persian monument in Al-mada' in which is the only visible remaining
structure of the ancient city of Ctesiphon. It is near the modern town of Salman Pak, Iraq.

The arch was part of the imperial palace

complex. The Throne room - presumably under
or behind the arch - was more than 30 m (110
ft) high and covered an area of 24 m (80 ft)
wide by 48 m (160 ft) long. It was the largest
vault ever constructed in Persia. The parabolic
arch was built without centring.

Ctesiphon was one of the great cities of

ancient Mesopotamia, and was located on the
east bank of the Tigris, across the river from the
Hellenistic city of Seleucia.

Ctesiphon was an imperial capital of the Arsacids and of their successors, the Sassanids. For
more than 800 years, the city lay in the ancient Iranian province of Khvarvaran. Today, the ruins of
Ctesiphon lie in Iraq, approximately 35 km south of the city of Baghdad. In the 6th century, the
Ctesiphon was the largest city in the world.Architecture of Persian Gardens, of the Golestan Palace
- Tehran, Iran - 1524-1576.

Architecture is one of the fields in which Iranians have had a lengthy involvement in history.
The major building types of this architecture are the mosque and the palace. The architecture
makes use of abundant symbolic geometry, using pure forms such as the circle and square. Plans
are based on often-symmetrical layouts featuring rectangular courtyards and halls.

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The post-Islamic architecture of Iran draws

ideas from its pre-Islamic predecessor, and has
geometrical and repetiitve forms, as well as
surfaces that are richly decorated with glazed
tiles, carved stucco, patterned brickwork, floral
motifs, and calligraphy.

OTTOMAN ARCHITECTURE
The grand tradition of Ottoman architecture,
established in the 16th century, was derived from two main sources. One was the rather complex
development of new architectural forms that occurred all over Anatolia, especially at Manisa, Iznik,
Bursa, and Seluk in the 14th and early 15th centuries. In addition to the usual mosques,
mausoleums, and madrasahs, a number of buildings called tekke s were constructed to house
dervishes (members of mystical fraternities) and other holy men who lived communally. The tekke
(or zeviye) was often joined to a mosque or mausoleum. The entire complex was then called a
klliye. All these buildings continued to develop the domed, central-plan structure, constructed by
the Seljuqs in Anatolia. The other source of Ottoman architecture is Christian art. The Byzantine
tradition, especially as embodied in Hagia Sophia, became a major source of inspiration. Byzantine
influence appears in such features as stone and brick used together or in the use of pendentive
dome construction. Also artistically influential were the contacts that the early Ottomans had with
Italy. Thus, in several mosques at Bursa, Tur., there are stylistic parallels in the designs of the
exterior facade and of windows, gates, and roofs to features found in Italian architecture. A
distinctive feature of Ottoman architecture is that it drew from both Islamic and European artistic
traditions and was, therefore, a part of both.

Selimiye Mosque

Located in the neighborhood of Faith. This was one of the least accessible areas of tge city
with the Kyrk Merdiven cliffs on one side and a deep cistern on the other. The mosque was
commissioned by Sultan Selim II and was built by Architect Sinan between the dates 1568-1574.
This grand mosque stands at the center of a kulliya which comprises a medrese, a dar-ul hadis, a
timekeeper's room and an arasta (row of shops). In this mosque Sinan employed an octagonal
supporting system that is created through eight pillars incised in a square shell of walls. The four
semi domes at the corners of the square behind the arches that spring from the pillars, are
intermediary sections between the huge encompassing dome and the walls. These pillars are
related to the back walls through supporting arches that provide an ambulatory space in front of
the encircling walls.

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This octagonal disposition of the supporting

system and absid-like mihrab section recall the
Church of Sergius and Bacchus in Istanbul. But
the galleries of this church behind the pillars that
create a second floor and the entrance mass
(narthexes) are eliminated in Sinan's structure.
Hence, the interior of the Selimiye contains a
more illuminated and ample space. On the other
hand, the absid is retained, for a mihrab placed
on a shallow southern wall would prevent the
fluidity of the ambulatory space encircling the
breathtaking central hall below the dome. The
mosque is located in an outer courtyard which
rings the complex. The area designated for late
arriving worshippers is encircled by 18 columns
and 22 domes. The 20 windows around the
courtyard are covered with glazed tile panels,
which are the finest examples of the period. The
portico of the courtyard is decorated with floral
designs.

The Suleiman Mosque was built on the order of sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and constructed
by the great Ottoman architect Sinan.
The construction work began in 1550
and the mosque was finished in 1557.
The mosque is modeled in part on the
style of a Byzantine basilica, particularly
the Hagia Sophia, which was perhaps a
conscious move on the part of the sultan
to create a continuity and a symbolic
connection with the city's past.

The sultans Suleiman II, Ahmed II and

Safiye (died in 1777), the daughter of
Mustafa II, are also buried here. Just
outside the mosque walls to the north is
the humble tomb of Sinan, designed by the occupant himself.

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MOORISH ARCHITECTURE

In the early eighth century, the Moors invaded Spain and marched through the region
defeating any Christian people they found. For nearly seven centuries, the Moors ruled Spain and
their Islamic architectural influence can still be seen, especially in the southern cities of Spain:
Granada, Cordova, Valencia and Seville. In fact, many of the Spanish Christian churches of today
were once Islamic mosques and buildings.

One of the most distinguished characteristics of Moorish architecture is the plain exterior of a
structure with an exquisitely ornate interior. The Moorish people were nomads and lived in tents;
this naturally translated into the interior of the tent being the one place that was decorated with
beautiful textiles, lush gardens and simple, portable furnishings.

The interior of the buildings were decorated with fantastic and minutely colored ornamental
details. Elements of nature always included in these buildings were courtyards with gardens,
fountains, reflecting pools and exquisite landscapes.

The climate of the region influenced the building materials used: tile, marble, adobe brick,
clay and plaster. All of these materials would stay cool in the Spanish heat. Tiled wainscoting in
colorful geometric patterns could be found in the majority of the rooms and mosaic patterns were
created with pebbles.

The use of geometry in decor was a nod to the Moors' talent in structural design and
mathematics. The Koran forbids the copying of natural forms so instead craftsman used stars,
crescents, crosses, hexagons and octagons. (They were not allowed to depict human figures,
animals and flowers in their designs.) These geometric shapes and patterns were created in wood,
plaster, tile and textile designs and used these colors in their designs: red, blue, green, white,
sliver and gold.

The Moorish influence on design is one that acutely reflects the religious and topographical
influences of Islam and Spain. The interior elements of these buildings- yeseria, artesonado,
horseshoe & scalloped arches, stalactites, simple columns and multifoils - are exquisite and
unique.

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Moorish architecture is a variation of Islamic architecture. There are many motifs, or repeated
patterns, in Moorish architecture. This photo gallery illustrates just a few. The first slide gives an
overview of the motifs: different styles of arches, calligraphy, vegetative design, and decorative
tiles.

Moorish architecture is named after the Moors, North African people who conquered the
Iberian Peninsula and many islands in the Western Mediterranean beginning in the 700s. The
Moors controlled what is now Spain, Portugal, and the Pyrenees region of France for hundreds of
years.

The Moors were Muslim and influenced
Middle East. Although mosques are the most
spread to the design of homes and places of
Moorish architecture, the Mezquita or Grand
Catholic cathedral.
by the Islamic architecture that developed in the
common examples of Moorish architecture, motifs
businesses. One of the most famous examples of
Mosque of Cordoba, Spain, is today the region's

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TURKISTAN (TIMURID) ARCHITECTURE

The Timurids were the final great dynasty to emerge from the Central Asian steppe. In
1370, the eponymous founder, Timur (Tamerlane), who belonged to a Turko-Mongol tribe settled in
Transoxiana, became master of this province and established Samarqand as his capital. Within
thirty-five years, he subjugated all of Central Asia, greater Iran, and Iraq, as well as parts of
southern Russia and the Indian subcontinent. To the west, Timurid forces defeated the

Mamluk army In Syria and that of the Ottomans at Ankara (14002). In 1405, while
preparing to invade China, Timur died. The vast empire he carved proved to be difficult to keep;
his son and successor, Shahrukh (r. 140547), barely managed to maintain the empires
boundaries, and subsequent Timurid princes sought to establish their own kingdoms, weakening
the empire with internal strife. Eventually only Khorasan and Transoxiana remained Timurid, and
during the remaining years of the dynasty, these were ruled by separate branches of the Timurid
family.

Yasawi Mausoleum in the southern

Kazakh town of Turkestan

The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed

Yasawi, a distinguished Sufi master of
the 12th century, is situated in
southern Kazakhstan, in the north-
eastern section of the city of Turkestan
(Yasi). Built between 1389 and 1405,
by order of Timur (Tamerlane), the
ruler of Central Asia, it replaced a
smaller 12th century mausoleum.
Construction of the building was halted
in 1405, with the death of Timur, and was never completed. The property (0.55 ha) is limited to
the mausoleum, which stands within a former citadel and the archaeological area of the medieval
town of Yasi; the latter serves as the buffer zone (88.15 ha) for the property.

Rectangular in plan and 38.7 meters in height, the mausoleum is

one of the largest and best-preserved examples of Timurid
construction. Timur, himself, is reported to have participated in its
construction and skilled Persian craftsmen were employed to work
on the project. Its innovative spatial arrangements, vaults, domes,
and decoration were prototypes that served as models for other
major buildings of the Timurid period, in particular in Samarkand. It
was left unfinished, providing documented evidence of the
construction methods at that
time and by having a unique
architectural image.

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FATIMID ARCHITECTURE
Fatimid Dynasty , political and religious dynasty that dominated an empire in North Africa
and subsequently in the Middle East from ad 909 to 1171 and tried unsuccessfully to oust the
Abbsid caliphs as leaders of the Islmic world. It took its name from Fimah,
the daughter of the
Prophet Mu ammad, from whom the Fimids
claimed descent.

The Fatimid rulers named it Al-Azhar Mosque

after Fatima Al-Azhar, the daughter of the Prophet
Mohammed, the woman the Fatimid dynasty is
named after.

Al-Azhar mosque, like the mosques at Kairouan

and Samarra, had a large open courtyard surrounded
by rows of columns and a covered prayer hall with
five more rows of columns in it.

The Sqifa al-Kahla gatehouse in Mahdiya, 10th

century. This gatehouse controlled access to the
peninsula, linking the royal city to its sub-urbs on the
mainland. The Sqifa al-Kahla ("Black Entrance") is
flanked by two bastions. A horseshoe arch leads into the
vaulted gatehouse, once protected by a heavy iron
door. A stairway in the south bastion led up to the
terraces and into the tower, which contained a hall.

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Porch of the Great Mosque of Mahdiya, 916. The tripartite design of the facade of the Great
Mosque of Mahdiya, with its porch built out in front and its two corner towers, was an innovation,
although it faintly echoes the triumphal arch of classical antiquity and certain Abbasid and
Umayyad military buildings. MAMLUK ARCHITECTURE

The Mamluk sultanate (12501517) emerged from the weakening of the Ayyubid realm in
Egypt and Syria (125060). Ayyubid sultans depended on slave (Arabic: mamluk, literally owned,
or slave) soldiers for military organization, yet mamluks of Qipchaq Turkic origin eventually
overthrew the last Ayyubid sultan in Egypt, al-Malik al-Ashraf (r. 124950) and established their
own rule. Their unusual political system did not rely entirely on family succession to the throne
slaves were also recruited into the governing class. Hence the name of the sultanate later given by
historians. Following the defeat of
Mongol armies at the Battle of Ayn Jalut (1260), the Mamluks inherited the last Ayyubid
strongholds in the eastern Mediterranean. Within a short period of time, the Mamluks created the
greatest Islamic empire of the later Middle Ages, which included control of the holy cities Mecca
and Medina. The Mamluk capital, Cairo, became the economic, cultural, and artistic center of the
Arab Islamic world.

The City of the Dead, or Cairo Necropolis (Qarafa, el-

Arafa), is an Islamic necropolis and cemetery below the
Mokattam Hills in southeastern Cairo, Egypt. The people
of Cairo, the Cairenes, and most Egyptians, call it el'arafa
(trans. 'the cemetery'). It is a 4 miles (6.4 km) long
(north-south) dense grid of tomb and mausoleum
structures, where some people live and work among the
dead. Some reside here to be near ancestors, of recent to
ancient lineage. Some live here after being forced from
central Cairo due to urban renewal demolitions and
urbanization pressures, that increased from the Gamal
Abdel Nasser era in the 1950s and forward.

Citadel of Aleppo

One of the oldest continuously

inhabited cities in the world, Aleppo
preserves remnants of more than four
millennia of Near Eastern history. The
Citadel of Aleppo is a densely layered
microcosm of this long and complex history.

The citadel was built on a natural

limestone outcropping rising some 100 feet
(30 meters) above the level of the surrounding plain. Its high walls, imposing entry bridge, and
great gateway remain largely intact and dominate the skyline of the city. Within its walls, the fabric
of the citadels inner spaces has been compromised by a succession of invasions, earthquakes,
and natural decay caused by exposure to the elements.

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INDO-ISLAMIC (MUGHAL) ARCHITECTURE

Indo-Islamic architecture begins with the Ghuris occupation of India at the close of the 12
century A.D. The Muslims having inherited a wealth of varied designs from Sassanian and
Byzantine empires and being naturally endowed with good taste for buildings, never failed to
adapt to their own requirements the indigenous architecture of almost every foreign country that
they conquered.

The most important factors common to both forms of architecture, especially in respect of
mosques and temples, were that to both styles, ornamental decoration was very vital and that the
open court in many cases was surrounded by colonnades. But the contrast was equally striking:
the prayer chamber of the mosque was spacious, whereas the shrine of the temple was
comparatively small. The mosque was light and open, whereas the temple was dark and closed.
The difference between the lay-out of a temple and a mosque is explained by the essential
difference between the Hindu and Muslim forms of worship and prayer. A cell to house the image
of the deity, garbha-griha, and often small halls in front for the worshippers was regarded
adequate for a simple Hindu temple. But the Islamic form of worship, with its emphasis on
congregational prayer, requires a spacious courtyard with a large prayer hall, pointed towards
Mecca, as its western end that is, to the West of India. In the rear wall of the prayer-hall, the centre
is occupied by a recess or alcove, called mihrab; and indicates the direction of prayer (quibla). A
pulpit (mimber) at its right is meant for the imam who leads the prayer. A tower or minaret,
originally intended for the muazzin to call the faithful to the prayer, later assumed a mere
architectural character. A gallery or compartment of the prayer hall or some other part was
screened off to accommodate the ladies who observed purdah. The main entrance to a mosque is
on the east, and the sides are enclosed by cloisters (liwans).

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They also introduced gilding and painting in varied

colors and designs. Muslim decorative elements are
usually of the nature of embroidery.

Shahjahan was the greatest builder of the

Mughal dynasty and with him architecture was a
passion. He looked upon white marble,
expensive and splendid, as the right and proper
building material for an emperor of Hindustan. The
Mughal artistic tradition had matured and refined to a
great extent. It was during Shahjahans time that there
was the highest efflorescence of Mughal architecture in
India. He went on to build magnificent Red Fort, Jama
Masjid.

The fort took nearly nine years to complete. Within

the walled city, the fortress is in the shape of a rectangle
900 metres by 550 metres. The rampart walls are about
34 metres high. A moat surrounds the rampart. Two of
the five gateways of the fort are three storeyed
structures flanked by octagonal towers. These are the
Lahori Gate and the Delhi Gate. Figures of two huge
elephants flank the Delhi Gate. The main entrance to the
fort is through the Lahori Gate. Some of the beautiful
buildings are the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Moti Mahal,
Hira Mahal and Rang Mahal, the latter three, all halls
decorated with pietro dura and patterns in gold and
colour and floors paved with marble slabs. The Moti
Masjid was added later in 1654 A.D. and is an excellent
specimen of the balance and rhythm maintained in
Mughal constructions.

The Diwan-i-Am is an arched pillared durbar hall.

A white marble throne, embellished with coloured inlay
work stands under a marble canopy. Below the throne is
a marble dais inlaid with semi-precious stones. Behind
the throne, the wall has beautiful panels of flowers and
birds in coloured inlay work, and a jharoka showing
Orpheus playing his lute surrounded by wild animals. The
princely Orephus here represents Solomon, who in turn
represents Shah Jahan (Partha Mitter)

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SINO-ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

The first Chinese mosque was established in the 7th century during the Tang Dynasty in Xi'an.
The Great Mosque of Xi'an, whose current buildings date from the Ming Dynasty, does not
replicate many of the features often associated with traditional mosques. Instead, it follows
traditional Chinese architecture. Some Chinese mosques in parts of western China were more
likely to incorporate minarets and domes while eastern Chinese mosques were more likely to look
like pagodas.

An important feature in Chinese architecture is its emphasis on symmetry, which connotes

a sense of grandeur; this applies to everything from palaces to mosques. One notable exception is
in the design of gardens, which tends to be as asymmetrical as possible. Like Chinese scroll
paintings, the principle underlying the garden's composition is to create enduring flow; to let the
patron wander and enjoy the garden without prescription, as in nature herself.

Chinese buildings
may be built with
either red or grey
bricks, but wooden
structures are the
most common;
these are more
capable of
withstanding
earthquakes, but
are vulnerable to
fire. The roof of a
typical Chinese
building is curved;
there are strict
classifications of
gable types,
comparable with
the classical orders
of European
columns.

Most mosques have

certain aspects in
common with each
other however as
with other regions Chinese Islamic architecture reflects the
local architecture in its style. China is renowned for its
beautiful mosques, which resemble temples. However in
western China the mosques resemble those of the Arab World,
with tall, slender minarets, curvy arches and dome shaped
roofs. In northwest China where the Chinese Hui have built
their mosques, there is a combination of eastern and western
styles. The mosques have flared Buddhist style roofs set in
walled courtyards entered through archways with miniature
domes and minarets

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SUB-SAHARAN AFRO-ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

The architecture of Africa, particularly of sub-
Saharan Africa. In North Africa, where Islam and
Christianity had a significant influence, architecture
predominates among the visual arts. Included here
are the magnificent mosques built of mud in
Djenn and Mopti in Mali, the rock-hewn churches
of Ethiopia, and the Islamic monuments of coastal
eastern Africa. Discussions of architecture in sub-
Saharan Africa focus chiefly on housing in villages,
rural mosques, and the mlange of colonial and
modern influences that characterize urban areas.

Of the buildings of the continent south

of the Sahara, the ruins of Great Zimbabwe
are perhaps the best known. This complex
of stone enclosures, particularly those
popularly termed the elliptical building and
the acropolis, was built on sites established
as early as the 3rd century ce. The first
Shona phase of building was probably
begun six centuries later and continued until
the 15th century, when, under the Mwene
Matapa, or Ravager of the Lands,
Zimbabwe reached its peak.

The architectural forms of Great Zimbabwe,

however, are atypical of many African architectural
styles. The site has a massive defensive wall and,
included in the elliptical building, a conical tower of
unknown purpose. It is also monumental in scale,
having functioned as a royal citadel, and it has
become a national symbol. While some of these
features can be found in other examples of African
building, they are rare, and the emphasis on
Zimbabwe has overshadowed the great diversity of
materials, forms, purposes, and uses characteristic
of architecture elsewhere in Africa.

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CHINESE ARCHITECTURE
Chinese architecture, the built structures of China, specifically those found in the 18
historical provinces of China that are bounded by the Tibetan Highlands on the west, the Gobi to
the north, and Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and Vietnam to the southwest.

The first communities that can be identified culturally as Chinese were settled chiefly in the
basin of the Huang He (Yellow River). Gradually they spread out, influencing other tribal cultures
until, by the Han dynasty (206 bce220 ce), most of China was dominated by the culture that had
been formed in the cradle of northern Chinese civilization. Over this area there slowly spread a
common written language, a common belief in the power of heaven and the ancestral spirits to
influence the living, and a common emphasis on the importance of ceremony and sacrifice to
achieve harmony among heaven, nature, and humankind. These beliefs were to have a great
influence on the character of Chinese art and architecture.

Chinese architecture has a extended history and fantastic achievements, and developed a lot of
architectural miracles such as being the Great Wall. Within the procedure of its development,
superior architectural tactics and artistic style have been mixed to generate distinctive Chinese
architecture has the 4 greatest architectural varieties.

Imperial Architecture

As an essential element from the Chinese

culture, the imperial architecture records the great
intelligence and creation from the laborious ancient
men and women that had a profound impact on the
style and design of modern architecture. It features
the highest achievement of the Chinese ancient
architecture that contains imperial palace, imperial
mausoleum and garden architecture. There had been
specified architectural features that were reserved
exclusively for buildings built for the Emperor of
China.

1. The first particular one may be the use of yellow roof tiles; yellow having been the Imperial
color, yellow roof tiles still adorn the majority of the buildings inside the Forbidden City. The Temple
of Heaven, even so, employs blue roof tiles to symbolize the sky. Brackets, a feature shared only
by using the biggest of religious buildings, nearly invariably support the roofs. The wooden
columns in the buildings, in addition to the surface with the walls, tend to be red in color.

2. The Chinese dragon, it is also an emblem reserved for Imperial China, it was heavily used on
Imperial architecture on the roofs, the beams and pillars and to the doors. Only the buildings
utilized with the imperial household have been permitted to own nine gam; only the gates utilized
by the Emperor could have 5 arches, with the center one, needless to say, getting reserved for
that Emperor himself.

3. Numerology heavily influenced Imperial Architecture, hence the usage of nine in a lot of building
and reason why The Forbidden City in Beijing is said to get 9,999.five rooms, it just brief of the
mythical 10,000 rooms in heaven. The importance of the East in orienting and siting Imperial
buildings can be a type of solar worship present in numerous ancient cultures, exactly where the
notion of Ruler is affiliated with the Sun.

Commoner Architecture

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1. The commoners can be the bureaucrats,

merchants or farmers, their residences
tended to follow a set pattern: the centre of
the house could be a shrine for your deities
and the ancestors, which would also be
utilised during festivities. On its two sides
were bedrooms for your elders; the two
wings of the house had been for your junior
members of the family members, in addition
to the dining room, as well as the kitchen,
even though occasionally the living room
could be quite close to the center.

2. Occasionally the extended families

became so huge that one particular or
perhaps two added pairs of "wings" had to
be created. This resulted inside a U-shaped
developing, by using a courtyard suitable for farm work; merchants and bureaucrats, nonetheless,
favored to near off the front by having an imposing front gate. All buildings have been legally
regulated, and also the law held that the variety of storeys, the length of the building and also the
colours depended around the owner's class.

Religious Architecture

1. Buddhist architecture follows the imperial

style. A large Buddhist monastery normally
features a front hall, housing the statue of
the Bodhisattva, followed by a great hall,
housing the statues from the Buddhas.
Accommodations for that monks and the
nuns are positioned with the two sides.
Several of the greatest examples of this
come in the 18th century temples from the
Puning Temple along with the Putuo
Zongcheng Temple. Buddhist monasteries
occasionally also have pagodas, which may
residence the relics in the Gautama Buddha;
older pagodas tend to be four-sided, while
later pagodas normally have eight-sides.

2. Daoist architecture, alternatively, normally follows the commoners' type. The key entrance is,
nonetheless, usually in the side, out of superstition about demons which may consider to enter the
premise. In contrast towards the Buddhists, inside a Daoist temple the key deity is situated at the
primary hall in the front, the lesser deities in the back hall and with the sides.

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TIBET ARCHITECTURE
Tibet has produced one of the world's most
unique and easily-recognizable forms of architecture.
Nevertheless, systematic study of Tibetan architecture is
still a comparatively unexplored field.

Tibetan construction activities can be traced back over

1300 years, when the first Buddhist temples were built
in central Tibet. One of these, the Lhasa Jokhang, still
exists and yields important information about the origins
and early development of Tibetan architecture (see
architectural history of the Lhasa Jokhang).

The earliest surviving Tibetan religious monuments are

closely based on Indian prototypes. Later temples and
monuments, built after the period of the second
diffusion of Buddhism, are very similar to Tibetan
vernacular architecture. They show only limited foreign
architectural influences. The earliest extant defensive
structures appear likewise to be based on indigenous
designs and technologies.

Tibet has perfected its own unique style of architecture

A handful of standardized principles give Tibetan buildings their characteristic organic design.
These include:

Symmetries in lay-out and faade design,

Slightly trapezoidal form, heavy at the bottom (stone foundations) and light at the top,
generally with battered walls,

flat roofs with parapets,

Detailed code for the decoration of doors, windows and parapets (including

painted black frames around doors and windows, and complex wooden overhang
decorations),

Intricately carved interior timber frame following standardized design principles

Organic design buildings appear to grow out of the landscape

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JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE

Japanese architecture, the built structures of Japan and their context. A pervasive
characteristic of Japanese architectureand, indeed, of all the visual arts of Japanis an
understanding of the natural world as a source of spiritual insight and an instructive mirror of
human emotion.

Japan has an interesting variety of buildings that exhibit different architectural forms from
humble farm houses to grand imperial palaces. Architectural styles have evolved from pre-historic
to modern times. Early native designs were exposed to strong influences from the Asian mainland,
imported styles were subsequently adapted to suit local tastes, and recent history saw the
introduction of Western architecture into Japan.

Buildings were traditionally built in wood - in part because of the abundance of timber and
due to the material's relatively good resistance to earthquakes. Unfortunately, many buildings
were lost through the years to natural disasters, the humid climate, fires and wars. Efforts have
been made to preserve some monumental buildings including temples, shrines, palaces and
castles, of which many are very old and require periodic renovations. Furthermore, efforts are
ongoing across the country to reconstruct some lost buildings of importance.

Many structures exhibiting past architectural styles are nowadays popular tourist sites.
They are spread across the country, some surviving in entire preserved districts or towns, while
others were moved to open air museums. The following is an introduction to the general
architectural building types in Japan:

Early Japan
The Jomon Period lasted from around 13000
BC to 300 BC. The inhabitants of Japan at
that time were mainly gatherers, fishers
and hunters. Dwellings were built directly
over an earth floor with a wood foundation
and a thatched straw roof. Inside the house,
the floor may have been hollowed in, which
is why Jomon Period houses are often called
"pit dwellings". The Sannai Maruyama
Archaeological Site in Aomori is one of the
best places to see an entire village of
Jomon Period houses. Some local history
museums also exhibit Jomon dwellings.

The Sannai Maruyama Archaeological Site (

, Sannai Maruyama Iseki) is the
largest and one of the most complete and
best preserved Jomon Period (13000-300 BC)
villages in Japan. Unearthed by accident
while surveying land to build a community
baseball field, the former Sannai Maruyama
Village once included over 700 structures
and dwellings including long houses, storage
structures, roads, and trash and burial pits.

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After the excavation and study of the site, the village was reburied with earth and a number
of reconstructed pit dwellings, long houses and a large tower were built on top. Visitors can enter
the reconstructions, some of which are quite large, as well as see a few of the original excavation
sites around the grounds.

Following the Jomon Period, the Yayoi Period lasted from around 300 BC to 300 AD. The
period is characterized by the start of widespread rice farming, resulting in the appearance of
permanent settlements with bigger populations. Communities became organized in villages as a
whole, with areas demarcated for granaries, storehouses and living quarters. Houses, especially
the granaries, were built on stilts to keep away mice. Structures such as village fences and watch
towers appeared. The Yoshinogari Historical Park in Saga Prefecture is an excellent place to see a
Yayoi Period settlement.

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Shrines
In ancient times, Shinto ceremonies were held outdoors at temporarily demarcated sites
without buildings. Later, temporary structures were used which eventually got replaced by
permanent shrine buildings housing the deity. Early shrine buildings predate the introduction of
Buddhism and reflect native Japanese architecture styles.

Among the earliest shrine architecture styles are the Shinmei style as represented by the
Ise Shrines whose halls resemble ancient storehouses, and the Taisha style as represented by the
Izumo Shrine whose buildings resemble ancient residences. Furthermore, there is the Sumiyoshi
style as represented by the Sumiyoshi Shrine in Osaka which is also considered to be close to a
natively Japanese shrine architecture style.

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Palaces
Imperial palaces are the seat of the Emperor. In the past, a new palace was built with the
relocation of the capital every time a new emperor ascended to the throne. In 710, the first
permanent capital was set up in Nara, and thus the first permanent palace, the Heijo Palace, was
built. The palace's former site is open to tourists today and exhibits a few rebuilt structures.

The imperial capital was later moved to Kyoto where it remained for over a thousand years
until 1868. Along with the Kyoto Imperial Palace, several imperial villas still exist, exhibiting a
grand and dignified, yet not overly-ostentatious style. The Kyoto Palace, Sento Palace, Katsura Villa
and Shugakuin Villa are open to the public today. Furthermore, some temples such as Kyoto's
Ninnaji and Daikakuji utilize former palace buildings.

From the 14th to the 16th century,

Japan went through a period of civil war.
With the arrival of peace in the Edo Period,
feudal lords started to build palaces for
themselves too. These palaces were usually
situated within the castles but separate
from the main keep. They served as
residences, offices and reception halls. Most
castle palaces have been destroyed, leaving
only a handful of original ones, most notably
the Ninomaru Palace at Nijo Castle and
some recent reconstructions at the castles
of Nagoya, Kumamoto and Hikone.

Castles
The civil war also gave the impetus for the construction of castles. Initially built for purpose
of fortification, the castles became the center of
government and status symbols for the provincial lords
as war drew to an end and Japan was reunited in the
late 1500s. Hundreds of castles used to stand across
the country, but due to wars, natural disasters and
past governments' policies to limit their numbers,
today only twelve castle keeps survive from the feudal
era, while a few dozen others have been rebuilt in the
20th century.

The primary material for castle construction

used to be wood, but most of the rebuilt castles were
constructed using ferro concrete, and thus they look
authentic from the outside but not from within. Two of
the best original castles, i.e. castles that survived the
post-feudal years, are Himeji Castle and Matsumoto
Castle.

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Samurai Residences
During the Edo Period (1603 - 1867), the samurai
were required to reside in the castle towns that
surrounded the castles. The grandeur of a samurai's
house was determined by his rank in the hierarchy. Strict
regulations had to be followed; for example, the size of
the pillars and the type of gates to be used were
pertained by status. While higher-ranking samurai lived
closest to the castle in large houses with spacious tatami
rooms and gardens, lower ranking samurai had more
humble residences further away from the castle.

Naturally, only the mansions of high-ranked

samurai were preserved over time, and therefore they
may not portray the picture of the average samurai residence. Nonetheless, they provide
interesting insights to what a samurai residence looked like. Today, former samurai residences are
best seen in cities, which preserve some of their samurai districts, such as Kanazawa or Hagi. A
few of them date back to the Edo Period.

Farmhouse
Farmers made up the majority of Japan's
population into the Meiji Period (1868-1912).
Different farmhouse construction styles developed
according to widely varying weather patterns.
However, architectural similarities can be seen
between dwellings across the country, such as the
wooden facades, thatched roofs, sunken hearths
(irori), earth floors for stable and kitchen, and living
spaces on elevated wooden floors that may have
included some tatami rooms in case of the more
well-off families.

Farmhouses were the most numerous among the old buildings but were rarely preserved, and thus
the remaining ones that we see today tend to be the more prestigious ones, such as those that
belonged to village heads or those in remote locations such as Shirakawago and Miyama where
entire villages have been preserved to a certain degree. Open air museums are also good places
to see regional styles of farmhouses.

Meiji Period

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The Meiji Restoration of 1868 saw an influx of Western concepts on almost all aspects of
life, from clothes to food, entertainment to architecture. Brick buildings are legacies left behind
from this era, and they can be found especially at the handful of port towns that were early
opened to international trade, such as Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, Hakodate and Moji.VIETNAM
ARCHITECTURE

Vietnam architecture is a composition

of both Asian and European style. Its history
can be divided into highlight stages, namely
ancient architecture, colonial architecture,
new architecture, and contemporary
architecture.

One among of outstanding things to

foreigners is architecture that reflects one
part of Vietnamese culture. Although Western
Style, China during influenced Vietnam
architecture colonial time but we also created
our unique architecture. And after
unnumbered wars, the refinement of
Vietnamese architecture continues to be well
presented in Hanoi Old Quarter, Vietnam
ethnic stilt houses and myriad of temples and
pagodas, communal houses, ancient villages
across the country.

Located on the Indochina Peninsula, Vietnam and its building fabric are tied to the countrys hilly
and densely forested landscape. The diverse topography between the northern highlands and
southern lowlands led to a varied climate, where architecture had to meet different thermal and
liminal considerations. Constructed amidst basalt plateaus, continuous coastlines and the Red
River Delta, Vietnamese architecture adopted a nimble and adaptable nature.

Ly Dynasty

In 11th century, Ly dynasty opened the new change for architecture during developing
feudal state. Generally, Ly dynastys architecture was five orthodox styles: citadels, palaces,
castles, pagodas, and houses. It was influenced by Buddhism and served Buddhism. So Thang
Long capital culture deeply mirrored characteristic of the tower-pagoda. In 1031, there were 950
pagodas that built during King Ly Thai Tong.
The feature of architecture under Ly dynasty
was high residential complexes, a lot
of decorative roofs, doors, doorsteps,
banisters, and rounded statues. All is
suitable with the Vietnam climate and
Vietnam folk customs.

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Tran Dynasty

The popular works under Tran Dynasty were

pagoda, house, temple, and citadel. Some significant
pagodas at this time are Binh Son Tower (Vinh Phuc
province), Pho Minh Tower (Nam Dinh province), Thai
Lac pagoda (Hung Yen province).

The complexness and structure of Pho

Minh temple is an impressive example of the art
form of the Tran dynasty and the
subsequent centuries. The structure was designed
in three main sections: the lobby, main hall, and
sanctuary. Interior garden and yard played an important part in total structure complex. It
expresses universe opinion.

The royal palace structure was designed with upper - floors and systems of consecutive corridors
in an open-air space that was suitable for tropical climate.

Le Dynasty

Under King Le reign, the orthodox architecture

was royal palace and royal tomb. In 16th and 17th
century, religion architecture got the new advance.

But Thap temple in Bac Ninh Province is known for its

structure and its decorative statue. Once social
organization lost quality, folk-art continued to
be reflected in carvings and paintings, hunting,
sloughing, wrestling, and cutting. The pagoda and
temple construction techniques achieved
progress throughout the eighteenth-century. Two pearl
of architecture at that time were Tay Phuong pagoda
and Bang Communal House.

Nguyen Dynasty

Hue city became the capital under Nguyen

Dynasty so the development in the North was
slowed down. In Thang Long, Khue Van Cac
(Constellation of Literature pavilion), Ngoc Son
temple and some structures were built. In contrast,
the project in Hue were developed, especially,
gardened- house complex. Nowadays, we still see
this distinctive design through the remained
citadels, palaces, tomb, and homes of gardened-
types in Hue that is quite different from the tube
type of houses in Ha Noi.

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COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
Whilst walking around Vietnam, you may have to do a double take when suddenly being
confronted with a typically French building. Architecturally, the French left their mark throughout
Vietnam all of the cities have a number of stately structures that date from colonial times and, in
many cases, they carry on serving the same function as they did under the French. This kind of
architecture was developed in parallel with the process of colonial exploitation of the colonialism.
Particular characteristics of geographical and climatic conditions are relatively different; as a
result, the European-style architecture had to have certain changes in order to harmonize
Vietnams conditions. While many of the old French residences have crumbled badly, others have
been renovated and given a new lease on life as upper crust hotels full of French trimmings or
restaurants.

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CAMBODIAN ARCHITECTURE
Cambodian architecture has become synonymous with Khmer architecture and more
precisely to the iconic constructions of Angkor temples during the growth and peak of Khmer
Empire. There are over a hundred major architectural sites to be visited in and around Siem Reap
the religious remains of a series of cities built by a succession of Khmer kings from the 7th to the
13th centuries.

Most temples were built in eastern orientation, a sort of glorification of the rising sun, could
be considered as a manifestation of the sun cult so favored in ancient civilizations - and taken
when rising with its most strength at the summer solstice and following the course of its light, the
ambulation ritual of pradakshina around the temple in fact becomes none other than the living
translation of this trajectory. According to some archaeologists, the siting of most of the Angkor
monuments corresponded to a sort of marking out of the solar path according to the solstitial
alignments.

Angkor Wat is a spectacular temple in central

Cambodia, built by the vanished Khmer
empire. It was constructed during the reign of
King Suryavarman II, who ruled from 1113 to
at least 1145. In those days, it was customary
for the Khmer Empire to maintain a state
temple at the heart of the city. However, when
Suryavarman assumed power, the existing
Baphuon state temple was dedicated to Shiva.
Suryavarman worshiped Vishnu, and wished to
honor him with a new temple south of the
existing capital. This new state temple came to
be called Angkor Wat, meaning "The city that
is a temple."

The land occupied by the temple measures

1300 meters north-south, and 1500 meters
east-west. Unlike other Khmer temples, the
entrance faces west in the direction associated
with Vishnu. A person entering the temple first
approaches an entrance causeway that takes
him across the 200 meter wide moat. On the
opposite shore is an entrance pavilion
measuring 230 meters north-south. Its central
bays include three passages that elephants
could fit through for royal processions. Past the
entrance gate is a long causeway that runs for
over 300 meters, decorated with mythical
snake-like animals called naga.

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Angkor Thom Gate of the Dead (12th - 13th centuries)

Jayavarman VII's 'Great City' (the meaning of Angkor
Thom) enclosed an area of about 9 square kilometers, and
could only be entered through five gates. On the north, south,
and west, only one gate provided access, whereas the east
side enjoyed one gate leading to the royal palace (the so-
called Victory Gate) and another gate to the south now known
as the Gate of the Dead. Tradition holds that the name derives
from the custom of the gate only being used when
transporting a king to his funeral, but there is no historical
evidence for this. More likely the gate simply served as the
east entrance to Angkor Thom with the Victory Gate providing
direct entry to the Royal Palace and surrounding environs.

Preah Khan Temple (built 1191)

Preah Khan was built in 1191 during the
reign of King Jayavarman VII.He was a warrior
king celebrated for reconstructing the Khmer
Empire after a period of
fragmentation.Jayavarman first made a name for
himself in 1165, when news of a rebellion
reached his ears.Rushing home from the Cham
Kingdom, where he resided, he arrived too late to
stop the usurper Tribhuvanadityavarman from
crowning himself King of the Khmers

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INDONESIAN ARCHITECTURE

Indonesia is a country with vast natural beauty stretching from Sabang to Merauke,
diversity of culture and tourism combined with the unique characteristics of each local community.
One of sample of the cultural heritage of Indonesia is Architecture Traditional. The unique from
Architecture Traditional of Indonesia because Indonesia has 33 provinces, each of Indonesia's
ethnic groups has its own distinctive form of the traditional vernacular architecture of Indonesia,
known as rumah adat.

Rumah adat or Custom House are at the centre of a web of customs, social relations,
traditional laws, taboos, myths and religions that bind the villagers together. The house provides
the main focus for the family and its community, and is the point of departure for many activities
of its residents. Traditional Indonesian homes are not architect designed, rather villagers build
their own homes, or a community will pool their resources for a structure built under the direction
of a master builder and/or a carpenter.

With few exceptions, the peoples of the

Indonesian archipelago share a common Austronesian
ancestry (originating in Taiwan, c. 6,000 years ago),
and traditional homes of Indonesia share a number of
characteristics such as timber construction, varied and
elaborate roof structures. The earliest Austronesian
structures were communal longhouses on stilts, with
steep sloping roofs and heavy gables, as seen in the
Rumah Adat Batak and the Torajan Tongkonan.
Variations on the communal longhouse principle are
found among the Dayak people of Borneo, as well as
the Mentawai people in Nias Island.

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The norm is for a post, beam and lintel

structural system that take load straight to the
ground with either wooden or bamboo walls that
are non-load bearing. Traditionally, rather than
nails, mortis and tenon joints and wooden pegs are
used. Natural materials - timber, bamboo, thatch
and fibre - make up rumah adat. Hardwood is
generally used for piles and a combination of soft
and hard wood is used for the houses upper non-
load bearing walls, and is often made of lighter
wood or thatch. The thatch material can be coconut
and sugar palm leaves, alang alang grass and rice
straw.

Traditional dwellings have developed to

respond to natural environmental conditions,
particularly Indonesia's hot and wet monsoon
climate. As is common throughout South East Asia
and the South West Pacific, most rumah adat are
built on stilts, with the exception of Java and Bali.
Building houses off the ground on stilts serve a
number of purposes: it allows breezes to moderate
the hot tropical temperatures; it elevates the
dwelling above storm water runoff and mud; it
allows houses to be built on rivers and wetland
margins; it keeps people, goods and food from
dampness and moisture; lifts living quarters above
malaria-carrying mosquitos; and reduces the risk of
dry rot and termite

1. Province Aceh

Acehnese traditional houses called "Rumoh

Aceh". This custom home-type houses on stilts with 3
main sections and an additional part. Three main
parts of Aceh is home seuramo keu (front porch),
seuramo Teungoh (central foyer) and seuramo likot
(back porch). While an additional part that is rumoh
Dapu (home kitchen).

2. Province North Sumatra / Batak

the Batak indigenous group symbolizing
"standing buffalo". It is even more clear to decorate
the top of the roof with a buffalo head.

Karo traditional house "Siwaluh Jabu" looks great and

is higher in comparison with other custom homes.
The roof is made of fibers and is usually coupled with
the roofs of the smaller triangle is called a "ayo-ayo
rumah" and "tersek".

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Batak Toba: Bolon,

The form of custom homes in the area

Simalungun quite attractive. Complex custom
homes in the village of Ancient Causeway
consists of several buildings that "house
Bolon", Bolon hall, drying, abstinence hall
need, and dimples. Read my next blog:
Traditional House of North Sumatera

Nias Island: "Omo Niha", The shape and

layout of the house type and type Gomo
Moro. Home with the type of Moro, ovoid
shape diagram. While the house type Gomo,
schematics nearly a square, but contain
curved lines. Nias construction of houses
made of hard wood and sturdy. Poles are high,
so people can get into under the house. Forms
of traditional chief's house, the roof is
dominant compared to other houses. Read
my next blog: Traditional House Nias with
Earthquake Resistant

3. Province West Sumatra / Padang

The traditional house of West Sumatra, especially from ethnic Minangkabau called "Rumah
Gadang". Usually built on a plot of land belonging to the parent family in the tribe / people are
hereditary. Not far from gadang house complexes are usually also built a mosque that serves as a
place of worship and residence of the adult male but not yet married.

Tower House is made rectangular and divided into two

front and rear portion, generally made of wood, and a
cursory look like a house on stilts with the roof shape
of a typical, stand out like a buffalo horn, the local
community and was formerly called gonjong roof is
made from fibers before switching with a tin roof.
Bagonjong house is inspired by the local community of
legend, which tells of the arrival of their ancestors by
boat from the sea. Another characteristic of this
traditional house is not wearing metal spikes but the
use of wooden pegs, yet powerful enough as a binder.

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4. Province Riau

Traditional House: Rumah melayu selaso jatuh kembar

(Rumah Lancang)

Rumah Lancang

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5. Province Riau Islands 6. Province Jambi

Traditional House: Rumah Selaso Jatuh Kembar Traditional House : Rumah Panjang
(Rumah Belah Bubung)

7. Province South Sumatra / Palembang

The house is a wooden stage. In terms of
architecture, the wooden houses were called Rumah
Limas / pyramid house because of the shape of a
pyramid roof. Inherent nature of South Sumatra with
fresh water, be it wetlands and rivers, people build
houses on stilts. Sungai .Musi on the banks of the
pyramid there is still a house overlooking the river
entrance.

8. Province Lampung
Traditional House : Nuwo sesat

9. Province Bengkulu
Traditional House : Rumah bubungan lima
(Rumah Rakyat)

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10. Province Bangka-Belitung Islands

Rumah Adat Traditional: Rumah rakit/Rumah Gede

Physical form and function of the physical form of traditional
house traditional house Belitong very simple, is home
Panggong; houses supported by wooden poles the best
choice. All the building materials made of wood up to the
roof, called the shingles of buildings divided into three parts,
patio room, living room or main, buffer space, and space is
public space belakang.Ruang terrace; like a living room so
the things that not so important can be discussed here,
even when the royal officials to watch the show on the
Rumah Gede will always be sitting here.

11. Province DKI Jakarta 12. Province West Java / Sunda

Traditional House: Rumah kebaya Traditional House: Kesepuhan

13. Province Banten 14. Province Central Java

Traditional House: Kasepuhan Traditional House: Rumah joglo

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15. Province DI Yogyakarta 16. Province East Java / Surabaya

Traditional House: Rumah Bangsal Kencono Traditional House: Rumah joglo

17. Province Bali

Bali house in accordance with the rules of Asta
Kosala Kosali (the Vedas are the layout of rooms and
buildings, like Feng Shui in Cultural China)

According to the philosophy of the Balinese people,

the dynamism of life will be achieved when the
realization of a harmonious relationship between
aspects Pawongan, Palemahan and Parahyangan. For
the construction of a house should include these
aspects, or the so-called Tri Hita Karana. Pawongan
are the occupants of the house. Palemahan means
there must be good relations between residents and
the environment.

18. Province Nusa Tenggara Barat / Lombok 19. Province Nusa Tenggara Timur /
Kupang
Traditional House: Dalam loka samawa Traditional House: Sao ata mosa lakitana
(Musalaki)

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20. Province West Kalimantan / Pontianak 21. Province Central Kalimantan / Palangka Raya
Traditional House: Rumah panjang Traditional House: Rumah bentang

22. Province South Kalimantan / Banjarmasin 23.

Province East Kalimantan /Tenggarong
Traditional House: Rumah Banjar Bubungan Tinggi Traditional House: Rumah lamin

24. Province North Sulawesi /Menado 25. Province Gorontalo

Traditional House: Rumah Pewaris Traditional House: Rumah Dolohupa

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26. Province Central Sulawesi /Palu 27. Province Southeast Sulawesi /Kendari
Traditional House: Souraja / Rumah besar Traditional House: Laikas

28. Province South Sulawesi /Ujung Pandang

Traditional House: Tongkonan

The word 'Tongkonan' is derived from

the Toraja word tongkon (to sit).
Tongkonan are the center of Torajan social
life. The rituals associated with the
tongkonan are important expressions of
Torajan spiritual life, and therefore all family
members are impelled to participate,
because symbolically the tongkonan
represents links to their ancestors and to
living and future kin.
Read my Nrxt Blog; Traditional House of
North Sulawesi

29. Province West Sulawesi / Mamuju 30. Province Maluku / Ambon

Traditional House: banua layuk Traditional House: Baileo

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31.
Province North Maluku 32. Province Irian Jaya / Papua
Traditional House: Sasadu Traditional House: Rumah Honai

33. Province West Papua / Manokwari

West Papua has more than 300

indigenous tribes, as a group and live a
nomadic life, or to move where. The traditional
house has only one form of "Honai House",
though different tribes, languages and
lifestyles. Honai house built by wood and straw,
that materials building are readily available in
natural surroundings.

One Honai house, consisting of several families

or single heads of households with multiple
wifes and children. Home honai has circular
form with a half of coconut-shaped roof. Also
open space interior with 2 level, which on top
level used as a bed.

Honai house has one door and small, it usually without windows and ventilation to safe from beast
and keep the room temperature still warm. Center of the room there is a furnace that is used for
cooking and for room heating. As well as a gathering place for families.

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THAILAND ARCHITECTURE
The Thai house, like other houses in Southeast-Asia, is a wooden structure raised on posts. Over
many centuries it has acquired its own unique style. The distinguishing marks are an elegantly
tapering roof and various finials and decorations that differ regionally. While architectural features
varythroughout the four cultural regions, Central Thailand, the North (Lanna), the North-East
(Isaan), and the South, the method of raising a platform on poles is common to all parts of the
country. It offers protection fromdirt, hostile wildlife, thieves, and most importantly from the
monsoonfloods which affect all of Thailand.

The traditional Thai house is ideally adapted to its environment. The open high-pitched roof
facilitates air circulation. Open windows and walls in combination with a large central terrace
provide ideal ventilation and offer relief from the hot and humid climate. Wide overhanging eaves
protect the house from sun and rain. Rainwater runs off the steep roof quickly and falls through the
permeable terrace and house floors. The use of wood and bamboo reflects the once abundant
forests that provided these materials ubiquitously and cheaply. In the past, an agricultural society
existed in relative harmony with its natural environment.

Wood carvings with floral motives emulate Western

style colonnades. Note the breadfruit tree growing
through the floor and roof. It is common to find shade
trees growing around and in the house.

The enormous terrace of the teak mansion in

Amphawa is used for ceremonies and special
events. The building is located in the Rama II
Memorial Park. Although constructed only 20 years
ago, it is an excellent example of traditional Ruen
Kahabodi the residence of a wealth family.

Two connected single houses form a huge hall,

which provides space for official and
representative functions. Note the inwards
inclining angle of the bearing posts, which is
typical for central Thai style houses.

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Wide overhang eaves protect the inner of the hor

nang (living and dining room) from sun and rain
provide privacy.

Side view of a central-style house for a nuclear

family. This house stands for sale on the roadside in Songkhram. It does not contain a single nail.
Once bought, the house is dissembled, transported to the new owners site and re-erected in less
than a month. Like most Thai houses, it is composed of prefabricated components that are fit
together with wooden joints and dowels.

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MALAYSIAN ARCHITECTURE

Malaysia, which is situated in the heart of South-east Asia, consists of thirteen states;
eleven in the Malay Peninsula and the two states of Sabah and Sarawak in the northern quarter of
Borneo. Malaysia or formerly known as Malaya gained her independence from the British on 31
August 1957. The formation of Malaysia in 1963 included the eleven states in the Malay Peninsula,
Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. Due to political circumstances, Singapore was separated from
Malaysia in 1965. Presently, Malaysia has a population of 21.9 million comprising of the Malays
51%, Chinese 35%, other ethnic groups such as the Dayaks, Kadazans, Thais, Eurasians,
Indonesians and Arabs form Indians 10% and the remaining 4%.

With the majority of its population being Muslims, the mosque is a common building found in most
urban and rural areas in the country. The varying architectural styles of the mosques displayed
particular design characteristics, which are reflective of many factors including ethnic culture,
colonialism, technology utilization and the political environment. Using the methods of building
surveys and inspection to record the various types of mosque architecture in Malaysia, this paper
presents a comparative analyses of the mosques built during different periods in the Malaysian
history. The paper also studies the changes in the mosque architecture in Malaysia from vernacular
and colonial influences to modern structures.

In 1887, an inscribed stone was found on the banks of Tarsat River at Kuala Brang, Terengganu,
which is a state in the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. The inscriptions on the stone, which
referred to a Malay kingdom, ruled by Islamic Law, were dated 4 Rejab 702 Hijrah (22 February
1303). This historical evidence has proven that Islam first came to Malaysia, particularly the Malay
Peninsula in the early 14th century. However, besides the inscribed stone, no other evidence either
the ruins or historical records of architectural styles and building materials used in mosques during
that period was discovered.

Tengkera Mosque, Malacca (left), Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar, Perak (centre) and Ibai Mosque
of Kampung Cendering, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu (right)
References:

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https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islamic-architecture
https://www.britannica.com/list/8-masterpieces-of-islamic-architecture
http://peopleof.oureverydaylife.com/islamic-mosques-tombs-4255.html
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/early-europe-and-colonial-americas/ap-
art-islamic-world-medieval/a/the-alhambra
http://islamic-arts.org/2011/agra-fort/
http://www.encyclopedia.com/literature-and-arts/art-and-architecture/asian-and-middle-eastern-
art/persian-art-and-architecture
https://courses.marlboro.edu/mod/wiki/view.php?pageid=27
http://www.theottomans.org/english/art_culture/index.asp
http://www.theottomans.org/english/art_culture/edirne.asp
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-suleiman-mosque
http://www.buffaloah.com/a/archsty/moor/moor.html
http://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/moorish-art/
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https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fatimid-dynasty
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/timu/hd_timu.htm
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1103
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/maml/hd_maml.htm
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mamluk
https://toranas.wordpress.com/2013/07/16/indo-islamic-architecture/
http://parisceramics.com/index.php/glossary/view/684ce236-2d9f-49e7-a28a-ec7645a36415
https://www.britannica.com/art/African-architecture
https://www.britannica.com/art/Chinese-architecture
http://www.hanban.com/chinese-culture/chinese-art/three-types-architecture-china.html
http://www.tibetheritagefund.org/pages/research/tibetan-vernacular-architecture.php
https://www.britannica.com/art/Japanese-architecture
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2111.html
https://www.bestpricevn.com/travelguide/Article_Vietnamese-Architecture-Reflecting-One-Part-Of-
Vietnamese-Culture-157.html
http://cambodianarchitecture.visitwonders.com/en/guide-detail/cambodian-architecture-2-52.html
http://juliesartoni.blogspot.com/2012/03/traditional-architecture-of-indonesia.html
http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/sid/640/thailand/other-statewide/thai-houses
http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/SeminarPaper/PAPERRIYADH.html
http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/SeminarPaper/PAPERRIYADH.html

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