Week Five - Romanesque and Islamic
Romanesque and Islamic Design:
This week we studied two major design traditions of the Middle Ages, Romanesque and Islamic design. Both developed in different parts of the world but were heavily influenced by religion and influenced architecture and interiors a great deal. I thought it was interesting that both styles used architecture as a means of communicating something larger than just the function of a building. Romanesque architecture focused on churches, monasteries, and protection. Islamic architecture focused on places of worship, palaces, gardens, and intricate decorative patterns.
Romanesque Design:
Romanesque design was developed around 800 AD and acquired special importance in Italy and France. The name Romanesque comes from its association with Roman architecture and construction. Charlemagne was a key figure at the start of this period as he encouraged learning, the arts, schools, monasteries and building, using Roman building technology.
Romanesque architecture was greatly influenced by religion. Prior to 1000 AD very little architecture was built but post 1000 AD there was a great increase in religious activity and in pilgrimages to Christian shrines. Between 1000 and 1100 at least 1,587 churches were built. This is why the best examples of Romanesque design are in architecture rather than free-standing furniture.
Romanesque churches were distinguished by their semicircular arches and vaults. They modeled their plans on the Early Christian basilica and made provision for such spaces as the nave, transept and apse. Churches also developed multiple aisles, larger spaces for worshipers, choirs and ambulatory spaces that allowed people to move through the church during processions.
Another thing that impressed me was the level of detail and richness inside some of the Romanesque churches. Walls could be painted in rich greens, blues, purples and gold and churches could also display tapestries, gilded sculptures and valuable religious objects made from materials such as gold, silver, ivory and precious stones.
Islamic Design:
Islamic design evolved over a vast geographic area that spanned Africa, Europe and Asia. The Islamic world spanned such a large area that there was a lot of variety in design depending on the location. The slides explain that Mohammed lived 570-632 C.E. and that the Islamic religion formed the basis for Islamic design.
The mosque was the main place of prayer and worship. The first mosque, called Mohammed's farm in the slides, was a prototype for future mosques. Key features were a perimeter wall, a covered colonnade and a courtyard. It was to be a place where many people could meet and pray toward Mecca.
One of the examples I found interesting was the Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia. The prayer hall features classic capitals with Islamic arches including the horseshoe arch. Another important example is the Mosque of Sultan Ahmed, known as the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul. It has six minarets, eight secondary domes and a main dome. Inside are more than 20,000 tiles that were hand-laid, a catalog of 50 different tulip designs and 200 stained-glass windows. The decoration is mainly non-representational and geometric, the walls intended to look almost like carpets.
Another great example is the Taj Mahal at Agra, India. It is a white-domed marble mausoleum built between 1632 and 1648, and was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. According to the slides, it is seen as an earthly copy of Mumtaz's house in paradise.
The Islamic architecture of Spain I also found especially interesting because of the European and Islamic design mix. The slides tell us about Jews, Christians and Muslims living in Islamic Spain. The Great Mosque of Córdoba was built in the hypostyle architectural style, having a large prayer hall supported by columns.
Another example that caught my eye was the Alhambra in Granada. It was a large palace and fortress complex with gardens, built around 1250–1360. The design features arabesque patterns, elaborate stucco work, decorative tilework, vaulting, domes and arches filled with muqarnas.
Current Applications of Romanesque and Islamic Design:
Although Romanesque and Islamic design originated hundreds of years ago, many of their design elements can still be seen in modern architecture and interiors today. Architects and designers continue to reinterpret features such as arches, columns, stone materials, geometric patterns, decorative tilework, and vaulted spaces in contemporary ways. These current applications show how historical design principles can be adapted to create spaces that feel both connected to the past and appropriate for modern use.
Current applications:
One Step Further: Ibn Ahmar and the Alhambra
My “One Step Further” was Ibn Ahmar. He is connected to one of the buildings I was most interested in from this week’s material: The Alhambra. The Alhambra was built by Ibn Ahmar (as identified in the class slides). The Alhambra was developed as a large palace and fortress complex in Granada, Spain.
Muhammad I, or Ibn Ahmar, was the founder of the Nasrid dynasty. Official historical information from the Alhambra and Generalife states that he established himself in Granada and began the reconstruction of the Alhambra, making it the center of his court. The Alhambra was a palace, citadel and fortress, and continued to develop under later Nasrid rulers.
What is most interesting about Ibn Ahmar’s connection with the Alhambra is that the building was not conceived simply as one palace. It grew to be a much larger complex, combining architecture, defense, gardens, water, decoration and living space. The official Alhambra site says the complex was built in stages over nearly two and a half centuries, with different buildings and additions being added over time.
The Alhambra also exhibits many of the characteristics we learned about in class. The elaborate tilework, stucco decoration, arabesque patterns, arches, vaults, domes and gardens all add up to a very immersive environment. The design is not based on a single decorative feature, but on multiple layers of details running through the space.
Court of the Lions
Muqarnas dome or arch
Alhambra gardens
Extra Credit: Youtube Video
Islamic Architecture 101 Explained in 3 Minutes
Islamic architecture is not just the domes and minarets; it is a combination of faith, geometry and engineering that has created some of history’s most stunning monuments. The video also talks about the important elements of architecture like domes, minarets, arches and muqarnas and the role of calligraphy, geometric patterns and arabesques in Islamic art. It also describes the spiritual and cultural principles reflected in the use of courtyards, water features and symmetry. The film is a fast-paced journey through Islamic architectural history from the earliest Islamic influences to the greatest Ottoman masterpieces, and additionally emphasizes the ongoing influence of Islamic architecture on Gothic and modern design. The film provides a quick overview of the unique characteristics and history of one of the world’s most significant architectural styles, from the Grand Mosque of Mecca to the Alhambra in Spain.
Closing Reflection
Studying Romanesque and Islamic design, I saw how much both were influenced by religion, but they expressed that influence in very different ways. Romanesque design with its stone construction, thick walls, vaults, and semicircular arches appears heavier, more solid and more protective. I was attracted to Islamic design because of the patterns, the geometric decoration, the tilework, the arches and domes, the relation to gardens and water. I also thought it was interesting that both styles still influence design today. This week I was reminded that studying historical design is not just memorizing buildings or dates. It is also about understanding the impact of culture, religion, material and function on the places that people make.
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