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Islamic Society of the East BayHosts
The First Islamic Architecture Mosque TourThe First Islamic Architecture Mosque Tour
Of the San Francisco Bay AreaOf the San Francisco Bay Area
May 1May 1stst, 2009, 2009
““Islamic Influences on American Architecture”Islamic Influences on American Architecture”
Presented by:Presented by:
Irfan Rydhan, Assoc. AIAIrfan Rydhan, Assoc. AIA
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Basics of Islamic ArchitectureMasjid (Arabic: Place of Prostration) or “Mosque” in English
– A place of worship (i.e. Church) for Muslims.
Minaret (Arabic: Tower) – Originally for the Call for Prayer, but now is mostly for decorative use.
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Basics of Islamic Architecture
Qibla (Arabic: Direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia) – Determines the direction for Prayers inside a Mosque
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Basics of Islamic Architecture
Mihrab (Arabic: Prayer Niche) : In the Qibla Wall
– Where the Imam leads the congregation in prayer.
Mimbar (Arabic: Pulpit): To the Right of the Mihrab
– Where the Imam delivers the sermon.
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Basics of Islamic Architecture
Typical Floor Plan and Section of a Mosque:
Haseki Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
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Basics of Islamic ArchitectureIslamic Calligraphy: Use of stylized Arabic script for decoration in
Mosques as an alternative to figural representation typically found in Churches or other places of worship.
Arabesque: Elaborative application of repeating geometric forms that often echo the forms of plants and animals.
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Islamic Influences on Spanish Architecture
The Moors (Arab Muslims) ruled Spain for 700 years (711 to 1492)
Alhambra Palace
Granada, Spain
La Mezquita (Mosque) de Cordoba
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Islamic Spain (Moorish) Influences on American Architecture
Mission San Carlos
Borromeo de Carmelo
Carmel, CA
cson, Arizona
San Xavier del Bac
Tucson, Arizona
Mission San Jose
San Antonio, Texas
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Islamic Spain (Moorish) Influences on American Architecture
The Alamo
San Antonio, Texas
Alfiz: Islamic Architectonic
Ornament,
usually a rectangular panel moulding
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Islamic Spain (Moorish) Influences on American Architecture
343 Royal Street, New Orleans
- Built in 1800 with Spanish (Moorish) metalwork
- Wrought-Iron balconies with Arabesque designs
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American Architecture with Islamic Influences
Alcazar Theatre, 650 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA
- Built in 1917 as a Shriner’s Temple
- Designed by Architect T. Patterson Ross who was inspired by the Alhambra Palace of Islamic Spain.
- In 1970 it became a Theatre and is now a San Francisco Landmark
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American Architecture with Islamic Influences
Medinah Temple and Country Club, Medinah, Illinois- Medinah Temple built in 1912
- A majority of the building’s ornament is
architectural terra cotta which was produced
in Chicago with rough texture to appear
handmade.
- Became a Chicago Landmark in June 2001
- Medinah Country Club Built in 1925 for the Medinah Shriners
- Designed by Richardf G. Schmid who was inspired by Islamic, Byzantine, French and Italian Architecture
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American Architecture with Islamic Influences
Marin County Civic Center, San Rafael, CA
- Designed in the 1950’s by Architect Frank Lloyd Wright
- Wright was influenced by his recent trip to Baghdad for a project commissioned by King Faisal II
- Dome, Minaret-like Antenna and Arches give it an Islamic feel
- Designed for Natural Air Flow and Cooling similar to buildings in the Middle East
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American Architecture with Islamic Influences
World Trade Center (1971 - 2001) - Architect Minoru Yamasaki was influenced by Islamic Architecture
- Commissioned to do the Airport Terminal at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in 1961
The WTC plaza was similar to the Courtyard of the Kaaba in Mecca with surrounding Minarets (Towers)
The Structural system at the base of the towers had a look of pointed arches and the Shimmering skin of the towers were similar to the dense geometry of Islamic architecture
