Islamic Architecture in Iran - Coursework Example

Islamic Architecture In Iran TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction……………………………………………………………………………...3 Mosques………………………………………………………………………………….3 Traditional residential architecture………………………………………………………5 Architecture after the revolution…………………………………………………………6 Special trends…………………………………………………………………………….9 Summary…………………………………………………………………………………10 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………..11 References………………………………………………………………………………..12 Vocabulary log …………………………………………………………………………..13 Styles of architecture in Iran Introduction Islamic architecture consists of Islamic and secular styles kept since the religion was started to this day. Islamic architecture is common on important buildings like cultural centers, schools and mosques with prayer rooms and houses included. Iran has many styles and forms of constructions done according to Islamic architecture. This report therefore is based on a study done on the architectural styles in Iran, which is one of the countries in the Islamic world. In 1979, Iran went through a cultural, political and religious revolution which brought several changes in the country’s architecture. Before the revolution there were many buildings in the country made in the traditional Persian and Islamic styles. The revolution swept way many of these building designs (Petruccioli & Khalil ,2002). This change was more evident in the designs of residential and commercial buildings. The mosque as a mark of the Islamic religion has however maintained most of the architectural elements and designs of old. (Petruccioli & Khalil 2002). Mosques Mosques are common in Islamic countries and Iran is no exception. A common and oldest architectural style for mosque design is the hypostyle. It is also present in Iran. It has a quadrilateral four-sided figure form and has a central courtyard. It is also common in other Islamic countries. While in Iran it is common for one to see the classic style with four iwans with the biggest of them facing Mecca. Iwans are valuated space will walls on three sides but one ending is completely open .The mosque also has a minaret which is a tower the muezzin occupies when making the call to prayer (Elton&Ali 2006). A picture of an iwans Other Islamic architectural features are not specific to mosques. There is a design called arabesque whereby botanical and geometric forms are made to fill the spaces on the walls of the building. Iranian mosques have Arabic calligraphy as well. Mosques and other buildings can be seen with domes of various shapes common in Islamic architecture (Elton &Ali 2006). Traditional residential architecture In Iran ancient Persian buildings were made with many features as shown below. In such a house, entering through the door way would lead you into a space called hashti. From there one goes into the hallway called dalan e vorudi. It was possible for a person to get to every part of the building. There was a pool in the central part of the building surrounded by gardens in which grapevines, pomegranates and fig trees were grown (Petruccioli &Khalil 2002). The building was made with another feature, which basically was a kind of partitioning creating the interior called andaruni and exterior called biruni. Persian houses in central Iran were made with wind catcher systems, which brought cool temperatures to the inside of the building. These houses were constructed with huge thick walls, which helped to eliminate summer heat and retain the warmth inside the building during winter seasons. The houses were made with roof scapes as well as aesthetic talars with paintings, reliefs, mirror works and very luxurious spaces to be use for residence. These buildings showed the love for gardens that was very common in Iran. Persian aesthetics are commonly seen in frescoes, stucco carvings as well as in paintings made by royal craftsmen (Jodidio &Muzihi 2004). Architecture after the revolution The 1979 revolution in Iran came with both political as well as social changes, which accounted for the change in architecture before and after the revolution. The country’s architectural practice combined new ideas, which had religious, national and cultural ideals within them (Elton& Ali 2006). To add to this there was the war between Iran and Iraq, which came with many economic and social disturbances that greatly influenced urban architecture and planning. Some Iranian buildings were made to reflect building designs of western countries in the modern post era. Armita tower, which has several offices within it, is a classic example. This architecture became more and more popular with developers since there were no rules and regulations governing the construction industry and evolution in construction technology had also ceased. Because of this a shining culture evolved that had many funny copies of architectural styles that are found in other parts of the world. Most of the residential and commercial high-rise buildings are under this classification (Petruccioli &Khalil 2002). The buildings are made in simple styles founded on the basic principles of modern architecture in the west. In such cases the buildings have no ornaments, cladding involves much glass, and the materials used look totally different form what was used in the years before. Examples of buildings that followed this trend are the Telecommunications Building in Tehran, Iranian National Library and several commercial buildings within Tehran like the Office Building (Islamic Environmental Design Research Center 1996). Telecommunications Building in Tehran Iranian National Library Special trends According to Jodidio& Muzihi (2004).There are many points of view that come up when one attempts to define the right position of Islamic architecture in Iran in postmodern world. One trend that has developed is the pragmatism taken from the Iranian environment. There is the eclecticism that is related to the modern post world architecture. In the 1980s with western architectural influence there arose an eclectic architecture. Architectural elements from these cultures form part of the geometrical systems present in Iranian architecture. Examples include the Bureau for members of parliament, the dormitories of the University of Yazd, Allame Dehkhoda University, the Honarestan in Karaj and the Social Hall of the Pasture Institute. Certain buildings such as the jolfa residential complex in Isfahan and the Cultural center of Kerman there was the fusion of contemporary and modern architecture (Jodidio& Muzihi 2004). Cultural center of Kerman Many buildings in Iran have therefore been made according to the western architectural styles, which have been fused with traditional Iranian architectural elements. Religious beliefs especially those in the Islamic period played a major role in producing many of the architectural monuments in Iran (Petruccioli & Khalil 2002).   Summary Before the 1979 revolution in Iran, buildings were made according to traditional Persian and Islamic architecture. After the 1979 revolution, the buildings were made according to basic principles of modern architecture in the west with simplicity whereby ornaments are excluded; cladding is done with a lot of glass and modern materials. Conclusion This report has shown the architectural styles of Iran. Architecture in Iran before the revolution of 1979 consisted of both traditional Persian and Islamic designs. There are many points of view that come up when one attempts to define the right position of Islamic architecture in Iran in the modern post world. One trend that has developed is the pragmatism taken from the Iranian environment. There is the scientific –functional view that is abstracted from the environment and is inspired by mathematical, literary and philosophical theories (Jodidio &Muzihi 2004). This report recommends that the Iranian architects should seek to revive traditional Persian and Islamic architecture in order to preserve and maintain both traditional and religious culture. References Elton L. D., Ali A. M. (2006) Culture and customs of Iran; Greenwood Publishing Group Hattstein, M.; Delius, P. (2000). Islam Art and Architecture Jodidio P., Muzihi H. (2004) Aga Khan Award for Architecture (Organization), Iran architecture for changing societies: an international seminar. U. Allemadi for Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Islamic Environmental Design Research Center (1996); Iranian architecture: In search for a new identity Petruccioli A., Khalil K. (2002), Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture; Understanding Islamic architecture; Routledge Vocabulary Log Word Definition Swept Move or push (someone or something) with great force Hypostyle Having a roof supported by pillars, typically in several rows. Botanical A substance obtained from a plant and used as an additive, esp. in gin or cosmetics Aesthetic A set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement Ornaments A thing used to adorn something but usually having no practical purpose Pragmatic Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations Variegated Exhibiting different colors, esp. as irregular patches or streaks Secular Denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis Read More