Thursday, December 5, 2013

Case Study Analysis

National Mosque (Masjid Negara, Kuala Lumpur)

Introduction 
The National Mosque of Malaysia is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, which was built between 1963 and 27th Auguest 1965 that holds the symbol of greatness of Islam as the official religion in Malaysia. The building has a capacity of 15,000 people and is situated among 13acres (53,000m2) of beautiful gardens. The entire area of the mosque is surrounded partly by concrete walls and another part by decorative fencing. The National Mosque symbolizes the spirit of unity and tolerance. This building is very significant as holds the unity of the main 3 races in Malaysia, which the mosque was designed by a Malay, built by the Chinese and Indians and funded by the contribution of Muslims, Christians, Buddhist and Hindus. 

Architecture

Roof
At first glance, the tower measuring 245 feet high looks like a rocket that shapes like a closed umbrella while the roof of the mosque looks like an open umbrella. The mosque previously underwent major renovations in 1987, and was once pink concrete roof is now clad in green and blue tiles. The roof measuring 84 feet high has a diameter of over 200ft and is supported by 16 pillars measuring over 3 feet in diameter. The pillars are paved with terrazzo. In the middle of the roof there is an aluminium panel engraved with verses shape like door but has been modified as curved arch. These is one of the most striking feature of the mosque, as it is uniquely different and outstanding compared to other mosque that has a onion dome, but it this National Mosque it resembles a partly-opened umbrella like roof which symbolizes under the protection of Allah. 

Close up view of the roof tiles cladded in blue and green.
http://www.traveladventures.org/countries/malaysia/images/masjid-negara10.jpg

Today, the National Mosque continues to stand sleek and stylish with the modern design that embodies a contemporary expression of traditional Islamic art calligraphy and Malay architecture symbolism. Since its completion on 27th August 1965, the National Mosque has became a majestic symbol for Islam in Malaysia. 

The Prayer Hall
The prayer hall has reinforced concrete wall garnished with Italian marble. There are nine sliding aluminium doors along the three parts of the wall. Several written verses from the Quran are placed across the all above the interior part of the door of the prayer hall. The writing measures 2ft high and woven with gold and blue shiny mosaic. The concrete roof in the shape of opened umbrella is decorated with glass mosaic and white gold. 


Spaces
Religious classes for children and adults, public seminal and social functions such as weddings and festival celebrations are often held in its many function rooms, which are situated in the mosque complex. 

Site plan of the National Mosque


Plan of the National Mosque

Elevation of the National Mosque


Perspective view of the National Mosque entrance
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/94161760.jpg
7 Unifying Principles of Islamic Architecture

Tawhid: Unity and Uniquity of Allah
Prayer Hall
The prayer hall is the space where the Muslims congregate to perform their prayers facing the "Qiblah" which is the direction of  'KA'BAH' in Mecca. This is a common direction during the prayers as it signifies that Islam is the religion of Unity : One God, One Final Prophet Muhammad. This prayer hall can accomodate up to 3000 prayers at one time with a floor area of 23,409 square feet.

Entrance
The entrance of this mosque is quite unique as the walls are tiled in marbles and can be accessed from 3 different direction through 9glass doors, uniting the prayers into one space. 


Muslim prayers that were gathered into one space
to perform their prayers in the National Mosque

Dikr : Remembrance
An islamic building should be a remembrance of Allah as it is an act and a process of being reminisced. Therefore, most of the islamic buildings are usually covered with repeated geometric form ornaments that includes nature or Quranic inscriptions surrounding the building. 




Uniformly arranged pillars in rhythmic precision.
Photo by : Lee Wan Teen 


Haya : Modesty
Modesty was illustrated in this mosque through the usage of geometrical screenings. In architecture, modesty is to preserve the dignity of the Muslims, where it not only serves as a private screening but also an aesthic feature as well as an environmental feature. 

Masjid Negara: the National Mosque of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
Screenings that is used as an architecture aesthetic and environmental
feature on the outside but as a private screening on the indoors of
the mosque. This image illustrates the night view of the lit up screening.

Ikhlas : Sincerity
Ikhlas was demonstrated as a sign of sincerity through an outward physical actions of the body for example prayers and also inward actions of the heart where it is achieved by removing doubts from thoughts. Sincerity is expressed through the inner heart that involves deep contemplative of spiritual nature of man. 

Actions of sincerity performed through outward physical
actions of the body for prayers.

Architecturally expressed and translated through the union of sincerity and purity
 of design where a space is constructed in the absence of human imaginary and
idols the arts of geometric ornamentation
https://www.islam.gov.my/en/bhg/national-mosque/main


Iqtisad : Balance
Balance is achieved through the structural plan of this mosque in terms of golden ration, proportion and spatial sequences. As shown in the diagram, the form of this building is basically quite simple and basic where it is almost symmetrical to each site of the plan as well as the elevation. The structural plan is a sequence shaped, hypostyle mosque, meaning it is a flat roof supported by columns. 



Plan and elevation achieving balance through symmetrical axis.

Ilm : Knowledge
Knowledge is also illustrated and expressed through Islamic architecture. This can usually be seen in the architecture of inscriptions where calligraphy is written or carved in a sacred language in Arabic. The Arabic callagraphy is to celebrate the aesthetic of islamic scripts across the Islamic world through a visible form by revealing ilm' and wisdom words of Quran.
Quranic inscriptions at the entrance

In islam, knowledge is also known as the light of truth. Many architecture has manipulated light as an expression through illuminating effects of sun rays and moon light. This reveals intricacy on wall inscriptions or ornament as a moving point source of natural sunlight, that adds individuality and a sensory experience of architectural spaces as it is driven of the quality of light and shadow that determines an individual's perception. 

Manipulated lighting qualities by the screening wall from the
natural lightings, adding individuality and sensory experience
of the space.

Lighting qualities inside the prayer hall through the
natural lighting transmitted through the screenings and stained glass.

Ihtiram : Respect
Respect means propriety or adab (good manners), a positive feeling of esteem or deference for a person or other entity, and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. In Islam, respect is translated in ihtiram in a sense of showing respect or behaving in a good manner towards God, Allah; to fellow mankind and to oneself. In forms of architecture, it illustrates symbolism, harmony and the purity of geometric shapes of the Ka'bah which are found in scared architecture throughout the Islamic World. In the National Mosque, geometric shapes of screen walls could be found nearly every corner of the building. 


Conclusion
In conclusion, my personal experience towards the National Mosque is indescribable  as it is an iconic and a very symbolic building by having its own uniqueness and individual character. In my personal opinion, the moment we first stepped into the entrance, the verandah gives us a very open and welcoming feeling due to its columns which were arranged uniformly across the walkway, which is quite different from the Middle East that usually applies courtyards within the mosque compound. Compensation were made by replacing one of the famous Malay architecture element, the verandah in the absence of courtyard.

The architecture of the mosque is a bold and modern approach with the usage of reinforced concrete. A mix of Islamic, malay and modern architecture, this mosque is uniquely different compared to the Middle East. This is because the unique feature of this mosque is that it uses an open umbrella concept which does not have the usual domes on the roof structure of the building. The umbrella is a synonymous with the tropics which reminiscent of the roof structure. The water features surrounding the compound gives a very serene and calm feeling where one can relax their mind and souls during their prayers. 

The verandah view with the uniformedly arranged column
layout in rhytmtic precision as a remembrance act to God.
Photo By: Lee Wan Teen

Photo by : Lee Wan Teen 

Night perspective view of the lighted up mosque with screen walls.


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The Principles of Islamic Architecture Time Analysis

Islamic architecture in China:

Our group has chose to present the analysis of how islamic architecture was introduced and influenced in China. Therefore, I was in charge of presenting the analysis of the first islamic building, which is The Great Mosque of Xi'an.

Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. The Tang Dynasty, with its capital at Chang'an (present day Xi'an), which at the time was the most populous city in the world, as it is generally regarded as a high point in Chinese civilization, surpassing the earlier Han Dynasty, a golden age of cosmopolitan culture.

The Great Mosque of Xi'an
The Great Mosque of Xi'an is located in Shaanxi province, China, which is one of the oldest and most re-known mosques in the country. It was first built in the Tang Dynasty, and renovated in the later periods especially during the Ming Dynasty. It remains as a popular tourist site of Xi'an, and is still used by Chinese Muslims (Hui people) today as a place of worship. Unlike most mosque in the Middle East or Arabian countries, the mosque is completely Chinese in its construction and architectural style with a touch of Islamic adaptation and influence of Quranic inscriptions and decorations, for the mosques has neither domes or traditional style minarets.

Architectural Layout
The layout of a Chinese temple has successive courtyards on a single axis with pavilions and pagodas adapted to suit Islamic function, where the grand axis of the Great Mosque of Xi'an is aligned from the east to the west, facing Mecca.

Image above illustrates the layout of the Mosque with an arrow indicating the location of
Mecca where the prayers usually perform their prayers facing that direction.


Five successive courtyards , each with a signature pavilion, screen or free standing gateway, lead to prayer hall located at the western end of the axis.

Diagram above indicates the location of 5 courtyards and the arrow direction point to Mecca. 


Image on the right is where the entrance of the first gateway leading to the first courtyard,
where the image on the left is the second gateway leading to the second courtyard. 


Xing Xin Lou is the third pavilion leading to the third courtyard.

Yi Zhen pavilion is the fourth pavilion leading to the fourth courtyard.

Lastly, the fifth gateway leading to the fifth courtyard, and the entrance of
the main space of a prayer hall where all the prayers usually perform their daily prayers. 

Considerations of comparisons between the plan of this mosque and the plan of a normal chinese courtyard house were taken into account for easier identification of the spaces layout in terms of similarity and differences. 

The main elements of typical Chinese architecture style that were applied in this mosque :

Chinese Construction Style
(Dougong bracket system)

Ornamentation and detailing 

Courtyards and gateways


Pagodas instead of minarets


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The Unifying Principles of Islamic Architecture : Dikr

Architecture as Dikr : Remembrance

Remembrance is defined as an act or process of remembering or in the state of being reminisced to celebrate or honor the memory of a person or event. 

Remembrance is reflected in Islamic architecture of monotony, where it is usually demonstrated on building pillar upon pullar, arcade upon arcade through the rhythmic precision mirrored in the contemplative chating of God's innumerable attributes/ zikr. 


The images above displays the rhythmic precision of
building pillars in mirrored layout. 

Another manifestation of contemplation maintains a sense of unity through rhythms as seen as the eternal and infinite nature of God's essence. For example, carvings and ornaments of Quranic inscriptions or nature on any element of an architecture is also considered an act of remembrance to God. 

Muqarnus Vault of a ceiling ornament with carved Quranic
inscriptions in remembrance of God. 

Qutub Minar, a victory tower commemorating Muslim Ghorid
invaders defeat of the Rajputs located in Cairo.

geometric ornamentation with flower carvings representing
nature in rhythmic form. 


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The Unifying Principles of Islamic Architecture : Haya'

Architecture of Haya' : Modesty

Preservation of dignity is an act of modesty where in the perspective of islamic architecture, modesty is one of the clearest characteristics of Islamic culture.

Definition of modesty in Islamic perspective is explained as below:

i. Modesty
Islamic architecture has complete harmony with the characteristic of modesty. For example, the building usually has a central core that consists of an open court that not only serves as an environmental purpose but to also to address the different roles and responsibilities of the sexes.

ii. Sanctuary, privacy & respect
This spaces usually is located at the heart of the layout and act as divisions within Islamic architecture. As for the examples of preservation of dignity, the veil/hijab of Muslim woman is the articulation of Islamic life and space, which is the adoption of veil is a form of acceptance of what Muslim woman can control in front of strangers; the act of humbling herself and God is an act of manifestation of her belief to Allah. In another case, the wall of Mosque Salamlek & Haramlek is the woman quarters at home. Veil is used as guarding, covering and screening to gain respect, privacy and identity which prescribe the definition of the right "to see" and not "be seen".

example of a Muslim women with hijab,
Shila Amzah, Malaysian singer. 

iii. Architecture
Architecture as the statements of ‘modesty’ by retaining the values of Muslims with their everyday existence, sacred actions and family lives. The Prophet once said: "Faith(belief) consists of more than sixty branches, and Haya' (self-respect, modesty, etc) is part of Faith.".

Mashrabiyya, known as a type of projecting oriel window enclosed with carved wood latticework is one of the essential element of Islamic architecture, which functions as a privacy screen that integrates with aesthetic features as well as including the environmental features for example climatic control by using materials of interlocking wooden rods.

example of a mashrabiyya, screened oriel window

Bent entrance in Islamic architecture is also one of the significant feature in maintaining the privacy nature of a family home which filters entrance of a person admission into the heart of their sacred home. For example, mosque entrances are usually designed in a discreet approach for prayers or individuals to advocate the feeling of respect to the building before greeted by the magnificent size of the central public space of a courtyard leading to the main building.

For the Muslims, it is substantial for them to perform the the act of modesty, not only to themselves but also to others and to Allah, which is divided into 3 meanings :

  • Tawado (humility)
  • Ih'tesham (decency)
  • Istehyah (awareness)

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