Report

1. SPIRITUAL ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
PROJECT 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE [ARC60803]
GERTRUDE LEE YUE SIEW [0306265]

2. APA References Paper Title Keywords Main Topic(s) of
Discussion
Content
Qureshi,
A.Atmospheric
Prototypes :
Rethinking
Spirituality in the
American Mosque
(Dissertation,
Massachusetts
Institute of
Technology, 2013).
Retrieved November
7, 2014, from
dspace.mit.edu/han
dle/1721.1/79173
Atmospheric
Prototypes:
Rethinking
Spirituality
in the
American
Mosque
Mosque in
America,
Spirituality,
Spiritual
Atmosphere
Architecture
- Spaces which have
a psychological
impact on its
inhabitant, and
which allow for a
mental
transcendence
from a harmonizes
form, material,
and experience
such that it
produces a degree
of awe and
mystery upon the
inhabitant
- Takes the
position that in
order for
spiritual void to
be overcome,
an initial effort
must be made
on the scale of
the individual.
The individual
spiritual device
can then serve
as an
educational
apparatus which
can help
communities
assess the
atmosphere of
their own
mosques.
- The retrofit
problems, a
contextual
challenge for
mosques in
America, suffer
from a lack of
spirituality and
visibility in the
urban realm.
- Claim that
spirituality can
indeed be
produced
through our
physical built
environments.
Haghighi, M. M.
Sustainable
Concepts in
Mosques
(Dissertation, Tarbiat
Modares University,
2011). Retrieved
November 7, 2014,
from
khi.ac.ir/Research_P
Sustainable
Concepts in
Mosques
Worship,
Mosque,
Perfection,
Light, Water
- Spiritual need of
man,
manifestation of
this divine concept
in the shape of
mosque, which in
its final form is the
most appropriate
place for the
gradual perfection
- Light and water
are two
elements that
despite their
material nature,
due to their
transparency,
brightness and
immediacy
illustrate and

3. ortal/5thsastech/Arc
hitecture/Architectu
re_25.pdf
of both individual
and society to
move beyond
matter and to get
closer to a divine
origin.
represent best
the concept of
perfection, and
are more
associated with
divine concepts
and holy images
in human mind
than their
material
aspects. Light
and water have
eternal meaning
and could easily
connect earthly
humans to God.
- Application of
natural light in
the construction
of mosques has
been done with
a metaphoric
and equivocal
rather than a
direct and
straightforward
method. Light
and water are
two symbols of
spirituality and
tranquillity;
therefore they
should be
placed at the
focal center and
heart of the
mosque.
Haghighi, S., &
Attrabbasi, Z. Light
and Technology in
Islamic Architecture
(Dissertation, Islamic
Azad University,
2013). Retrieved
November 7, 2014,
from
ijt.cgpublisher.com/p
roduct/pub.42/prod.
936
Light and
Technology
in Islamic
Architecture
Light,
Colour,
Geometry,
Sacred,
Architecture
- Light as a spiritual
substance, or
‘embodied spirit’,
and of all things
on earth, believed
to be the most
direct
manifestation of
God, the reality
most similar to
divine light and
the most obvious
link between
heaven and earth.
- These volume
rays are exactly
metaphors of
spiritual rays
reflecting from
the upper light
universe into
the building and
attract the
believers to the
truth of heaven.
- Light reflection
is interwoven
with water in

4. Islamic
buildings. Big
Fountains of
water located in
the center of
the court reflect
the whole of
building to show
the concept of
duality or
virtually in the
universe. Water
not only reflects
the architecture
and multiplies
its decorative
themes, but
also serves as a
means of
emphasizing the
visual axes.
Kakroodi, N. I., &
Behbood, E. (2014).
The Spirit of Time
and Lighting in
Religious Spaces
Case Study: Sheikh
Lotf Allah Mosque in
Isfahan, Iran
(Dissertation, MA,
Department of
Architecture, Nour
Branch, Islamic Azad
University, 2013).
TextRoad
Publication.
Retrieved
November 7, 2014,
from
http://www.textroad
.com/Old%20Version
/pdf/JAEBS/J.%20Ap
pl.%20Environ.%20Bi
ol.%20Sci.,%204%28
4%291-
6,%202014.pdf
The Spirit of
Time and
Lighting in
Religious
Spaces Case
Study:
Sheikh Lotf
Allah
Mosque in
Isfahan, Iran
Lighting,
Time,
Space,
Mosque,
Sheikh Lotf
Allah,
Esfahan
- Islamic
architecture
emphasizing on
light as it is one of
the spiritual
elements in the
mosque.
- Light can give us
opportunity to
creation of
compatible and
intelligent
environmental
systems to
rebuilding of
artefact
environment.
light is a subject
which has gave
special feeling
and meaning to
life and
architecture in
every stretch of
time one of
most important
characteristics
of natural light
is its continuity
and change
during day
which cause
condition
movement and
change in
different hours.
- Architecture

5. attempts in its
conceptual
genesis to
freeze time, to
hold onto that
perfected
moment of the
completion of
the building for
as long as
possible before
and after the
event. mosque's
brightness
element and
mosque's light
system schedule
is numinous and
spiritual symbol
and is
considered as a
part of
mosque's
decorations
.Light which
have diffused
masterfully in
building, light
apertures,
which is located
below the dome
and above the
walls, instil
dome's
lightness feeling
and its
suspension
between the
earth and the
sky into human.
Dewiyanti, D., &
Kusuma, H. E.
Spaces for Muslims
Spiritual Meanings
(Dissertation, Insitut
Teknologi
Bandung, 2012).
Retrieved
November 21, 2014,
from
lib.gen.in/next/...==/
Spaces for
Muslims
Spiritual
Meanings
Spaces;
muslims;
spiritual
meaning;
physical
attributes;
spatial
meaning;
emotional
factors
- Understanding of
the spaces
considered to
have spiritual
meaning for
Muslims, and how
these spaces build
its spiritual
meaning. Spiritual
values are
considered
- Spirituality is
considered an
important
factor for
balancing
intellectual and
emotional
factors.
Spirituality is
the soul and
spirit urge,

6. 10.1016@
j.sbspro.2012.08.098
.pdf
important since it
can evoke the
spirit that affects
the balance of life.
- Aims to find places
where one’s
spiritual values
can be built, and
how the space is
interpreted by the
congregation.
boost energy,
which in its
application can
relate and touch
the values of
concept, belief
and spirituality.
Spiritual values
are believed to
be the spirit of
life, a force to
motivate
individuals to
achieve a feat.
One's
spirituality can
be built through
the built
environment.
- Mosque as the
dominant
choice and its
physical
attributes,
spatial meaning
and emotional
significance to
complete it.

7. Spiritual Islamic Architecture
Questions
1. Does this mosque give you the spiritual feeling upon looking at it from afar or when
entering inside?
The whole mosque actually gives you the spiritual feeling. Spiritual feeling is all about
the pure heart and intention of an individual so spiritual feeling does not matter if
looking at the mosque from afar or upon entering the mosque.
2. What is your definition of spiritual when you are in the mosque?
Spiritual feeling in the mosque means being emotionally and feeling close with Allah.
3. In terms of the mosque, in your opinion, do you think that the modern mosque or
the traditional mosque matters in terms of giving the spiritual meaning?
It does not matter whether the mosque is the modern mosque or the traditional
mosque in terms of giving spiritual meaning.
4. Does the elements on the mosque – such as minaret, domes- helps bring out the
spiritual feeling to the mosque?
Upon looking at the mosque from afar (as typical mosque has specific elements such
as domes and minaret) , you already can sense the spiritual feeling as long no matter
what religion you are because you know the mosque is a spiritual place.
5. Is the location and orientation of the mosque important in terms of the spiritual
feeling to the mosque?
It is important especially in terms of orientation as the mosque has to be facing in the
direction of the Ka’abah and it is also important in terms of spirituality as everyone
no matter where you are in the world will pray towards the same direction.
6. Do you think the lighting have any effect in bringing the spiritual feeling?
Lighting does give the spiritual feeling to the mosque. Lighting is important as it give
the effect of being closer to Allah

8. 7. What type of lighting effect gives you the spiritual feeling?
In this mosque, there is a lot of usage of natural lighting so it brings the spiritual
feeling to the mosque.
8. Which space do you find the most spiritual to you? Do you think that the size and
form of the spaces in the mosque help in contributing to the spiritual feeling in the
mosque?
Main prayer hall is the most spiritual part because the main prayer hall is a space
where a Muslim come and pray and this is where you feel the closest moment to
Allah and especially when a Muslim perform the sujud (is an action in a prayer where
the Muslim put their forehead to the ground) and at this moment, the Prophet
Muhammad s.a.w told the Muslims that this is the most precious time of a Muslim to
Allah. That is why the main prayer hall is the most spiritual place.
9. In this mosque, besides fountain and courtyard, how is Jannah being represented?
Currently there is a renovation outside, they are rebuilding the pool. The pool is one
of the representations of Jannah. The openings at the buildings allow the natural
lighting to come in and also one way to represent Jannah.
10. In your opinion, if you have the chance to change anything in the mosque, what do
you want to improve in the mosque in order to increase the spiritual feeling in the
mosque?
The idea of architects considering the environmental friendly is good as they consider
the environment. Now they are also improving the landscaping of this mosque.