Mosque Architecture

219 Pages·2015·3.53 MB·English

Mosque Architecture: Formulation of Design Criteria
and Standards in the Context of Bangladesh
Sheikh Muhammad Najrnul Imam
- -
11/:mIIIIIUII/IIiUIIIIIII/:1
1J94979111
Departmeut of Architecture
Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (DUET)
Dhaka 1000,Bangladesh
September 2000
Mosque Architecture: Formulation of Design Criteria
and Standards in the Context of Bangladesh
Sheikh Muhammad Najmul Imam
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements for
the degree ofMaster ofArchitecture in the Department of Architecture,
Bangladesh University ofEngineering & Technology (DUET)
Department of Architecture
Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET)
Dhaka 1000,Bangladesh
September 2000
Department of Architecture
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka IDOO, Bangladesh
On this day, 30" of September, Saturday, 2000, Ihe undeTSlgnedhercby recommends
\0 the Academic Council that lhe the,is titled, "Mosque Architecture: Fonnulation of
Design Cmefla atld Standard, in the Context of Bangladesh" submitted by Sheikh
Mul1ammad Najmullmam, Roll No_9213 P, Session: 1990-'91.'92, is acceptable in
partial fulfillment of the requirement forthe degree MaSI.' of Architecture.
Thesis Title, "Mosqne Architecture, Formolation of Design Criteria and
Standards in tbe ConteIt of Bangladesh"
PROPOSED BOARD OF EXAMTNERS:
Faruque A. U. Khan
Professor and H.ad
Department of Architecture, BUET
(Thesis Supcrvi,or)
Md. Khairnl Enam
Professor
Department of Architecturc, BUET Member:
100 • ~. 'U»-<M
Dr. Md. ShahiduJ Ameeo
Professor
o(
Department of Architecture, BUET Member: ~-jI -, oYf/'"lJ<v"
)
lIr. Roxnna Hartz
Assistant Professor
Department of Urban and Member:
Regionai Planning, BUET (External)
Abstract: i
Mosque Architecture: Formulation of Design Criteria and
Standards in the context of Bangladesh
Abstract
Mosque, beingthe center ofIslamicspiritandactivities, bccomes an edifice ofspecial
sigmficance in the Muslim settlementsall over the world. Starting froma simple one
in Medina, in course of modification through time and regions, it has attained a
certain degree of architectural magnificence amIestablished il~elfas a distinguished
buildingtype.
The first mosque cstablished by the Prophet (S) was intended to abide by the
commamlment of Allah, convey His message to the whole humankind and render
~crviec to the society. This mosque can be characterized as a simple, austere and
strictly functional one. Afterwards, influences from other religiou~ architecture of
mediaeval period led the mosqlle architecture towards monumental and SlJmptuOlJs
structures. This thesis explores, a, one ofits objectivc~,to identify the original intent
ofamosque andhow itwasredefinedincourse oflime andregion.
Thousands of mo,qlJes are ~ervingthc Muslim community of Bangladesh. Mo~qucs
of early Islamic periodwere built underthepatronage ofrulers and distinguished rich
Muslims. Gradually the common people started to build mosques in their own
initiative. These mosqlJesdevelop gradually andreflect the desire and demand of the
community. In most of the casesthey do not follow any systematic design criteria or
standard intemls of the()logyand practice.Moreover, there are no such authentic and
compiled sources of guidelines or standard~to be used by the architects. As a re,ult,
there are good numberof faulty aspectsin different mosques, with respect to shariah
andpractical i,sucs.
This thesis focuses on the formulation of design criteria and standards, which can bc
applied for designing mosqlJes in Bangladesh. Obviously, some common and
fundamental aspectsmay applyuniversallyto anymosquearound the globe.
Some criteria, like determination of qihla direction, configurations of spaces,
contiuuation orjama'al in diffcrcm levels, service facilities etc. arc to bc taken into
consideration in design approach. Thcse aspects are directly or indirectly dictated by
shariah.
As a quantitative design tool, architects ~hould follow some design standards.
Determination of capacity, spacing of qatars, ergonomic data for different activities,
requirement of space for different aetivitics, size of ingress and egress, service load -
all these issue, are includedforanalysi"andpropositions.
Abstract: Ii -'"
A mosque is a unique building type, which requires almost no liturgical support. The
floor is mostly used for salat and other activities. Only little furniture, as for example,
rnlmbar, seats for Wazu, bookshelf, shoebox or rack etc. arc required to be designed.
Standards are formulated for all these liturgical supports.
Environmental aspects are also significant for a mosque. But, an elaborate discussion
on this aspect is selectively kept beyond the scope or this lhesis, as (his field itselr is
very vas! and suitable to be an independent research work. Only some brief
discussions and general propositions arc ineluded for certain environmental issues
important ror mosque design.
There arc many major and minor criteria, which should be considered for designing a
mosque. Bul due the limited scope orthis thesis work, some major issues, particularly
those very significant on spatial aspoxts are covered in this work. Some aspects,
which arc common for any other building type and do not carry extra significance for
a mosque, are kept beyond the scope. It is expected that the architect will be able to
handle those common issues out of his general education and expertise in architecture.
f
Acknowledgement: iii
Acknowledg_e_m_e_"_' _
Throughout the process of this thesis work, a good nwnber of people lend their
helping hands by providing information, guidance and encouragement. Firstly, I
express my gratitude to Profes,or Faruque A. U. Khan, my Thesis Supervisor and
Head of the Department of Architecture, DUET, for providing guidance and
ill5piration.All my colleagues of the department had been all through vcry kind to
rcnder their cooperation in different way:;. Professor Dr. M. Anwarul Islam, the
Manehcster Mctropolitan University, UK ha:; set a rare example of assistance by
sending a signilieant book on IslamicArchiteeturc and his research Paper on Mosque
Architecture.
M. Kamal Abdali, National Science Foundation, USA; Khalid Shawkat, USA; Dr.
Monzur Ahmed, UK and many others were introduced to me through Internet. I
express myheartiest thanks to allofthem forproviding me infornlatlon andcomputer
software. It ISworth mentioning here that some of my students and the musallies of
different mosque:; eagerly a,sistet! me in field sludy. They also sbare the credit of
accomplishmentofthisthesiswork.
I acknowledge that some figures and photographs are taken from different books and
mentioned accordingly in relevant places. I would like to convey my tbanks for the
wriler" publisher, andotherassociates.
For theological support, a good number of scholars of Islamic theology have assisted
earnestly. i express my gratitude for Maolana Ishaq Faridi, Mufti Abdur Rahman,
MuftiMonsurul Haq andmany others.
it is vcry difficult to mention everyone who contributed directly or indirectly
throughout my work. Moreover, it is not always worth mentioning the names to
express gratitude. May Allah bless them with appropriate rewards m lhi, world and
hereafler.
Finally, I must say A/-hamdulillah (all praise is for Allah) and express my
appreciation and gratitude for Allah the Almighty, a, He i, the sole source of all
knowledge,energy andenthusiasm.
•
•
Table a/Contents: iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Abstract I
.".".".".".".".
~.~.~.o.~.le.dgern.e.n.t. ,...,.."."."...."..".". 111
Table of Contents IV
.I,i~t.(If.F.igurc.s. ''''',..."..."..".. VI
Prologue IX
fl'i%{l'".~:'k',~,~~"';<),';O::'i1f(i~,~ili,;;:"~1ii'+;";;'i:M<N)<':;ii:/',: '<~'%N%mtl;/,,~:'ift;'w~m~m%.f'i:''
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lPART:,Afu""'" X",V;;<\nf1' ~..~. t,;,:'"WSm:@l;,il;:::;, 'Y::;>;~;~1i&*"A:',h:~~'?~<"/,~~~~
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Chapter ONE 1-1
The Mosque: General Aspects
1.1Introduction ...... . .. 1-1.
, , , "
1.2Word meanillg,~J;l?,p.efinition. 1-1
1.3Role m Islam 1-2
..
"." ".".". . ------ .. ---- ---- ------ "."." ".
I,'.1.B.uildin.gC. .oml?o.".e.n.ls: , . 1-3
1.5Characteristic Features 1-3.
.......-- "." " ".,,--. ,,, ,, ,,.,,.,,
1.6 Tj'JJ.(l.!,(lgy. 1-5
1.7Conclusion 1-7
Chapter TWO 2-1
Historical Overview
2.1 lntroduction 2-1
-- .
2-1
2.2 ,~,~..~,I,:~,~t.osqul:__ " ".".
2J.c:1Jl:<>(1ll1{)gcia1l)e",e lopJ!l~,~...i!~.(JI(l~a1(;(lllt.cx:_t_ 2-3
2.4 Chrollo1ogical,,!?,~~~1(lrrnen..tin.B:Ill.g.1~desh. 2-8
2.5 Conclusion 2-16
Chapter THREE 3-1
Field Study
3.1 Introduction 3-1
-------------- --. -- ".".".".
3-1
3.2 ScoIJ~...
-------- -------- ... ------. ---- ... -- -- ... "."."."
~:}..~. ~t.h.o.~1().{)gy.__ .. ..3-1
"" " "."
3.:4~tIl~¥_o_.Il.C::.a_:~s_e.?~.'l~es__ 3-9
3:5lJse.~at.t,~::ll,,?r..~f!~c.cs. 3-20
3.6 User's Feedback and Observations 3-20
........ ".".".".".
3.7 Conclusion 3-21
>
Tablt! a/Cantt'n/s: v
I I
!PART: B
•
iForrnulalion ofDelilgn Criteria and Standards
Chaptl'r FOUR 4-1
Basic Consideration'
4,llntroduetion '-I
'-I
4.2 Concept
'_2
,~
4.3 Sitt!Phmning
4.4 Qibla: the OriClltntion for Salat
4.5 Conclusion 4.12
Chapfer FIVE 5-1
Design Approach
'-1
5.1 Introduction
',-1~
~ptltinl Analysis of Function
5.3 Functional Sr»-ccs
5.4 Building Elcments 5.11
5.5 Conligumlion of Space and Form 5-14
5.6 Building lind Finish Mftlennls 5-18
5.7 AesthetiC!l 5-18
5.8 Environment 5.20
5.9 Conclusion 5-26
Ch.pll'r SIX 6-1
Design Standan!s
6.1 Introduction 6-1
6.2 Dl:tcrmination ofCar»-city ofa Mosque 6-1
6.3'lib/a Directions for Bang~ndcsh 6-3
6.4 Space Standards 6-3
6.5 Conli~mlion of Space 6-8
6-,
6.6 Furniture
6.7 Requirement ofWntt!f 6-'
6.8 Conclusion 6-10
Epll0l:ue FA,
.
~I'PE;-;D1CES A.I-I
1 "
A.l Glossary of Terms A.1-1
A.2 Photo~phs A.2-1
A.3 Measured Dra\\ings A.3-1
~gures A.4.1
A.5 Bibliography A.5-1
Ust of Figures and Tables: v;
List of Figures and Tables
Figure & Page
Table No. Title ofFigure and Table No.
Cla"ification of early IslamIc mosques in Bengal according to
l'ig, 1.1 Figure I-I
the configuration of ground plan
Fig, 1.2 Typical North Indian mosque during Mughal period Figure I-II
Fig, 1.3 Ground floor plan o[Delhi Jam; mosque FIgure I-m
Fig. 1.4 Front elevation of Delhi Jam; mosque FIgure 1-1V
Fig. 2.1 House of the Prophet (S) and the fir,t mosque in Islam Figure 2-1
Fig.2.2.a PI"n o[the house of the Prophet ($) and the mosque in 622 AD Figure 2-1
Fig.2.2.b Re-ummged Plan with the change qibla in 632 AD Figure 2-1
Fig.2.2.c Extension during 534-644 AD & 644-656 AD Figure 2-1
Fig.2.3.a Plan o[the Prophet', (g) mosque in 1987 AD Figure 2-1
Fig.2.3.b Aerial view of the present mosque ofthe Prophet (S) Figure 2-1
Fig. 2.4 The l'riday mo'que at Isfahan: Ground plan Figure 2-11
Fig. 2.5 The Eshrefoghlu mosque at Bey>hehlr: Ground plan Figure 2-11
Fig. 2.6 The Al.Aksa mo'que at Jen,,"lern Figure 2_11
Fig. 2,7 The Great mosque at Damascus: Ground plan Figure 2-11
Example of different type, ofminarels found in difT~'rCnt
FIg. 2,8 Figure 2-III
cOlll1tries
FIg. 2,9 The palace of M,hatta: Ground plan Figure 2_111
Fig. 2.10 The nbat of Susa: Ground plan Figure 2-IIl
Fig, 2,11 The Great Mosque ofSamarra: Ground plan Figure 2-IIl
Fig, 2,12 The Timarkhana at Aamsya: Birds eye view Figure 2-IIl
Fig, 2.13 11leKhirki Mo'que at Delhi: Ground plan Figure 2-IV
The Ahmed Shah Mosque atAhmadabad: A longitudinal
Pig. 2, 14 Figure 2-IV
section through the ladies gallery _
The Gunmant Mosque at Gaur: Tunnel vault ofthe tran'ept or
Fig, 2.15 Figure 2-IV
central aisle
Fig, 2,16 The Chota Sona Mosque: Front view ofa Chauchala vault Figure 2-IV
Fig, 2.17 The Choto Sana Mosque: Corner view of a Chauchala vault Figure 2-V
Fig, 2.18 The Chamkattl Mosque atGaur: Groin vault in the foro room FlgurC 2-V
The Masjldhari Mosque at Mirzagonj: Chauchala vault in the
Fig, 2.19 Flgurc2-V
fore room
Fig, 2.20 Floor plan of the Adina Mosque Figure 2_V
Fig, 2.21 Floor plan ofthe Snait Gambuj Mosque Figure 2-VT
Fig, 2.22 Floor plan o[the Uitton Mosqne Figure 2-Vl
L,s/ ofFigures and Tah/e,,' vi;
Fig, 2.23 Floor plan of the Baba Adam Mosque Figure 2-VI
Fig, 2.24 Plan, elevation and seellon oflhe Allakuri Mosque Figure 2-VI
Fig, 2.25 Floor plan of the Lalbag Fort Mosque Figure 2-VII
Fig, 2.26 The Star Mosqne, famous for ils ornamentation Figure 2-VII
Fig, 4.1 Aerial view: },Jorthernpart ofTaj Mahal complex, Agra Figure 4-1
Example of axial diver,ity in the three types of bUllding m the
Fig, 4.2 Figure 4-1
same complex ofTaj Milial, Agra
Direction ofKaaba (qih!a) from GPS station at Gulshan
Fig. 4.3 Figure 4-II
Ladiies Park, Dhaka
Fig, 5.1 FunetlOnal flow diagram ofa mo'que figure 5-]
Schematic diagram ,howing possible approaches to a mosque
Fig. 5.2 Figure 5.II
from roads on different sides ofa SHe
Fig.5.3.a Scheme A: Floor Plan Figure 5-III
Flg.5,3.b Scheme B: Floor Plan Figure 5-IV
Fig.5,3.e Scheme C: Ground Floor Plan Figure 5-V
Fig. 5,3.d Scheme C: First Floor Plan Figure 5-VI
Fig. 5.4.a Determinant of space eonfiguratlOn: Formation of qatar Figure 5-VII
Determinant of 'pace configuration: Range of audiovisual
Fig, 5.4.b Figure 5-VIII
acuity
Fig. 5.5 Module, grid and bay for a mosque Figure 5_IX
Fig. 5,6 Relationship ofkngth, width and height of mosque proper FIgure 5_IX
The building elements ofa mosque - dome, arch, turrets,
Fig, 5.7 Figure 5-X
minaret, kiosk etc,
The element> of amosque used as 'ymhol to represent a
Fig. 5.8 5-19
mosque, Muslim festivals, event, etc,
Fig. 5.9 Examples of different types of ornamental elements in mosques Figure 5_XI
Lines pass through dlfferent place in Banglade"h of similar
Fig. 6.1 Figure 6-III
angular value for qibla dire<:tion
Anthropometric data: Body dimension of an adult male of
Fig. 6,2 Figure 6-IV
Bangladesh
Fig. 6,3 Space for salat ofmalc Figure 6-V
Fig. 6.4 Space for sitting in different posmre m a mosque Figure 6-VI
Fig. 6,5 Space for wazu facility with supplied water through pipe Figure 6-VII
Fig, 6.6 Dimension for m;mbar Figure 6-VIII
Fig, 6.7 Low-table, for students and tcach~"fsof muklab Figure 6-VIII
Fig, 6.8 Dimensions ofshe1ves for safe"kccping of shoes and umbrellas Figure 6-iX
Survey format to determine the number of musaWes attending
Fig. A.4.1 A.4-1
.<alal and utilizing wa;:u and toilet facility
Fig. A 4.2 Instruction to usc: determination of q;bla by shadow method A.4-11
Table 3.3.2.a Mosques for pilot survey 3-2
Table 3.3,3.a Mosque~ for Case study 3-7
Table 3.3,3.b Checklist of ,ignificant features in the mosque, fro case study 3-8