Lectures
Rib Domes
Muqarnas
Muqarnas
Pt2
Exercises
University of Washington
Department of Architecture, Spring 2001
[Computational] Geometry in Islamic Architecture
Instructor: Mamoun Sakkal
Muqarnas, part 2: examples.
Muqarnas is the Arabic word that describes a traditional element unique to Islamic architecture, in which small nich-like components are combined with each other in succesive layers to enclose a space and produce surfaces rich in three-dimentional geometric compositions. These components are called muqarnas blocks.
The blocks are composed with each other according to rules that changed from region to region. Here are two examples from Turkey and Armenia.
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Muqarnas portal in Sultan Han Caravansary The 3 blocks of 45 degree family were used in this muqarnas composition on the portal of this Turkish caravarnsaray, or hotel, from the 13th century. The block described in part one were used to make clusters of repeated forms, then these clusters were repeated to make the complete dome with eight muqarnas layers. Fig. 1. Detail of muqarnas portal |
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Fig. 2. The plan of the composition shows the smallest blocks in the middle top of the view. The square blocks come next, then combinations of these with the third block are repeated untill we reach the dome base. The color on the blocks is changed from layer to layer to help in understanding the geometry of the compostion. The simplest shape for the interior surface of the blocks is used here, where the middle of the block is shaped is divided into two equal regions. |
Fig. 3. Views of the muqarnas portal dome with simple interior surfaces.
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Fig. 4. The interior surfaces of the actual muqarnas dome are curved. To make our model in FormWriter, they were simpified to flat surfaces. In this plan the interior surfaces of the block are adjusted to make them resemble the original more closely. Here the small block has a convex interior surface, the middle block has a concave interior surface, and the large block has a concave interior surface that goes all the way to the back of the block. |
Fig. 5. Views of the muqarnas portal dome with modulated interior surfaces.
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Muqarnas dome in Geghard Church This dome is also based on the 45 degree family, but here, the middle block is trimmed to allow for a uniform cluster that has a square shape. This cluster is then repeated to form the complete dome. Figs. 6 and 7. Plan and interior view of muqarnas dome at Geghard Church. |
Figs. 8 and 9. Interior views of muqarnas dome at Geghard Church with two different color schemes.
