This document outlines a project assignment on Islamic architecture for students. It involves researching the principles of Islamic architecture and creating a timeline analysis of architectural developments in Malaysia. Students will work in groups to analyze different regions and produce a poster, individual write-ups, and an online database. The project aims to help students understand how Islamic beliefs influenced architectural design over different periods and to develop research and presentation skills.

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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
Center for Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE [ARC 2342]
Lecturer: Nor Hayati Ramli
______________________________________________________________________________________
Project 1
Research Time-line Analysis
50% of final marks:
1. 40% (20% Group & 20% Individual) - Hardcopy of research write up, class presentation and time-
line book publishing
2. 10% - Collaborative on-line Learning through WikiSpace/Blog: digital database/bank
Presentation & Submission Date:
Week 8 16 Oct 2015 – Draft Digital Copy of Research Write Up, Class Presentation &
Draft Timeline & 23 Oct 2015 – Upgraded work submission via WikiSpace/TIMEs
On line Digital Copy of Final Timeline & Research Write Up
Week 12 20 Nov 2015 – CD/Thumb Drive of Softcopy & Final Hardcopy of research write up
and time-line poster
Introduction
The meaning of architecture is not simply just about designing or making building but more to the impressive
dignified accounts of the “architecture of buildings” and “building architecture”, which brought to a bigger context
that is the emergence of civilizations. As architecture is the product of people that evolved with the progression
of the needs and means of people thus the understanding of architecture required a reference to the origin by
means of exploring back through history of the people and the fundamental principle of architecture that headed
the emergence of such distinctive civilization.
Islamic Architecture arisen with the emergent of monotheist Islam and therefore it is the architecture of faith. It is
the architecture of an expression of faith to the Almighty and Glorious One and only God Allah s.w.t. through the
declaration of Shahada (Creed- testimony of Belief) which through it unites all Muslim (Ummah) globally at all
levels: ontological, social, and politically. Islam is not merely as any religion but as Ad-Din – a way of life that
embraces three elements: iman (belief), ibadat (religious obligation) and ihsan (right doing) as reveals by the
Quran through Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. the last and finality of prophet-hood. The heart of Islamic unity and
continuous awareness of the omnipresent of Allah as a way of life is through the expression of obedience to the
five pillars of Islam. All these dogmas are the fundamental principles of Islamic civilization as well as the
fundamental of Islamic architecture, which can further be interpreted as the principles of Islamic architecture,
namely:
a. The Seven Unifying principles of Islamic architecture:
i. Architecture as Tawhid: Unity & Uniquity of Allah
ii. Architecture of Ihtiram: Respect
iii. Architecture with Ikhlas: Sincerity
iv. Architecture as Pursuit of ‘Ilm: Knowledge
v. Architecture for Iqtisad: Balance

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vi. Architecture of Haya’: Modesty
vii. Architecture as Dikr: Remembrance
b. The Diversifying principle of Islamic Architecture: Architectural principle of ‘Urf
This research project adopts document analysis methodology that involves documenting, analyzing, producing,
and presenting orally a critical chronological interpretation of Islamic architectural history as it advances over
prominent Islamic periods. This project emphasizes critical analysis of the seven principles of Islamic architecture
in the effort to understand the influences of Islamic cultural and belief to architectural design and construction,
building science and technology, and urban design. The project is to distinguish the way in which many diverse
factors contribute to the development of Islamic architecture in various countries. The development of the project
would involve active discussion, analysis interpretation and consultation with the tutor.
Objective
The objectives of this project are as follows:
To allow students to undertake a research analysis process on Islamic architecture practices throughout history
through literature review and document analysis and present an appropriate chronology account of the Islamic
architecture based on the understanding gained through the analysis procedure.
To familiarize students to the activities of culmination and production of a research analysis through assemblage,
chronologically indices and evaluation of information; composing and organization of study; assembly of
illustration and text; design layout composition; poster and presentation.
Learning Outcomes of this Project

 Analyze and discuss the relationship of the principles of Islamic architecture (ie. The seven Unifying and one
Diversifying Principles) and the Islamic religious dogmas of faith with social, cultural, environmental and
intellectual context of Islamic architecture throughout prominent Islamic periods
 Differentiate the way in which many varied factors contribute to the development of Islamic architecture and
urbanism.
 Produce, illustratively, orally and in text, a critical chronology analysis interpretation of Islamic architecture
and urbanism in relation to the fundamental of Islamic principles within the historical discourse of Islamic
architecture.
 A continuous chronology poster.
 An on-line data account of the Islamic chronology analysis interpretation of Islamic architecture and
urbanism which also contains references and bibliography.

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Ullman, h.f. (2007)

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Task & Submission
Students are to distinguish the following principles:
a. The Seven Unifying principles of Islamic architecture:
viii. Architecture as Tawhid: Unity & Uniquity of Allah)
ix. Architecture of Ihtiram: Respect
x. Architecture with Ikhlas: Sincerity
xi. Architecture as Pursuit of ‘Ilm: Knowledge
xii. Architecture for Iqtisad: Balance
xiii. Architecture of Haya’: Modesty
xiv. Architecture as Dikr: Remembrance
b. The Diversifying principle of Islamic Architecture:
i. Architectural principle of ‘Urf
… and investigate through research papers, literature analysis and readings on the
chronology of Islamic architectural history and practices as it advances over Islamic periods in the region of
Southeast Asia and Malaysia in the effort to understand and generate an analysis accounts of the
interrelations of the divine principles of Islam with Islamic architecture practices in Malaysia.
Islamic Architectural Chronology of:
1. Federal Territories (Kuala Lumpur & Putrajaya) – Group 1 – Natasya’s Group
2. Selangor (West) – Group 2 – Visagan’s Group
3. Selangor (East) – Group 3 – Kenneth Chang’s Group
This project is divided into::
1a. Group work: The first outcome of the project will be an A3 sized illustrative chronology poster of Islamic
Architecture (hard-copy) (20%) that interprets the Islamic architectural language and the unifying and
diversifying principles of Islamic architecture influences to the architectural development of the Southeast
Asia countries in general and Malaysia in particular.
1b. Individual work: The second outcome of the project is a submission of a short article/write up (10%) and
presentation (20%) of an interpretation of the Islamic architectural language featuring the unifying and
diversifying principles of Islamic architecture influences in Malaysian Islamic architectural chronology and

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development. The writeup covers exploration of themes and relevant issues, and must include APA
references and bibliography.
1c. Individual work: The third outcome of the project is a digital timeline database/bank project (10%) (using
blog platform-TIMES WIKI Space FORUM) and will be on-going throughout the semester as on-line and
class discussion and should be finalized with a submission of digital soft copy (cd, dvd or thumb drive) by
Week 14 of the course.
Submission format:
Size: Continuous Timeline Analysis Poster of A3 width, with updated data and visual of chosen topic.
Referencing and sourcing is a must.
Week 8 Draft Presentation & Upgraded Final Submission
Research article/write up digital upload and Timeline Poster pin-up before 8:30 am. Any submission and
uploads after fixed time is considered late. Penalty will be applied.
Soft copy (cd, dvd or thumb drive) of the digital timeline database/bank down-loaded from the Islamic
architectural chronology development blog.
Marking Criteria
Marks shall be distributed as follows:
Research time-line poster submission: (Group 20%) (Marks below are translated from 100%)
Clarity of illustrative content 20%
Historical Architectural Advances through chronology 30%
Islamic principles analysis discussion 30%
Organization and structure of timeline + APA references & citations 20%
Individual write up (10%) and presentation (10%) (Marks below are translated from 100%)
Discussion & Presentation Showing:
Understanding and exploration of themes and relevant issues 20%
Historical Architectural Advances through chronology 30%
Islamic principles analysis discussion 30%
Organization and structure + APA references and bibliography & citations 20%
On-line Collaborative Learning through Blog: digital database/bank & class presentation (Individual
10%) (Marks below are translated from 100%)
Comprehensive on-line review as listed in tutorial task 20%
Historical Architectural Advances through chronology 30%
Islamic principles analysis discussion 30%
Organization and structure of Islamic principles and timeline + APA references & citations 20%
Contact
Nor Hayati Ramli norhayati.r@taylors.edu.my
rosyatie@gmail.com
facebook Norhayati
blog http://yatilifeisgreat.blogspot.com/
Office 0356295000 ext 5251
Recommended Reading
Main
References :
1. Carrey, M. (2010). The illustrated encyclopedia of Islamic art and architecture: An essential
introduction to Islamic civilization's unparalleled legacy of art and design, with more than 500
colour photographs and artworks.London: Anness Publishing, Ltd.

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2. Omar, Spahic (2009). Islamic Architecture, Its Phylosophy, spiritual significance &
some early developments, A.S. Noordeen K.L.
3. Omar, Spahic (2010). Islamic & Housing, A.S. Noordeen K.L.
4. Ullman, h.f. (2007), Islam Art & Architecture, English Ed of Tandem Verlag GmbH
German, China
5. Lucien De Guise, Nosreen Moustafa (2008). Divine Inspiration Seven Principles of
Islamic Architecture. Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Additional
References :
1. Mioya Carey, (2010). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Islamic Art And Architecture,
Lorenz Books Anness Publishimg Ltd. UAE
2. John D. Hoag, (2004). History of World architecture Islamic Architecture, Electa
architecture. Phaidon Press, China
3. George Michell, (2009). Architecture of the Islamic World, Thames & Hudson Ltd,
London.
4. Richard Yeomans, (1999). The Story of Islamic Architecture, Garnet Publishing, UK
*Appendix A: Group Tutorial Progression Log Sheet for Week 2-5 - To be kept by Tutor when it is fully
completed
*(Group leader please print a copy. Students please fill up the details. Bring to tutorial session)
Tutorial Group: ____________ Region: ____________________
Tutor’s Name: Mdm Nor Hayati binti Ramli
(Leader) Name:__________________________ ID:_____________________ H/p:_________
2. Name: ________________________________ ID: ______________________ H/p: _________
3. Name: ________________________________ ID: ______________________ H/p: _________
4. Name: ________________________________ ID: ______________________ H/p: _________
(To be filled by students)
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Task assigned: Principle of Islamic
Architecture
Analysis: Written/
Sketches:
Date Description of Task:
Progress/Completed
Tutor’s
Signature :
Student’s
Signature :
Name:
1.
Week 3
(Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
2.
Week 4
(Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
3.
Week 5
(Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
Name:
1. Week 3 (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
2. Week 4 (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
3. Week 5 (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
Name:
1. Week 3 (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
2. Week 4 (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
3. Week 5 (Tutor’s Signature :)

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(Student’s Signature :)
Name:
1. Week 3 (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
2. Week 4 (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
3. Week 5 (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)

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*Appendix B: Group Tutorial Progression Log Sheet for Week_____- To be kept by Tutor when it is fully
completed
*(Group leader please print a copy. Students please fill up the details. Bring to tutorial session)
Tutorial Group: ____________ Region: ____________________
Tutor’s Name: Mdm Nor Hayati binti Ramli
(Leader) Name:__________________________ ID:_____________________ H/p:_________
2. Name: ________________________________ ID: ______________________ H/p: _________
3. Name: ________________________________ ID: ______________________ H/p: _________
4. Name: ________________________________ ID: ______________________ H/p: _________
(To be filled by students)
N
a
m
e
Task assigned: Principle of Islamic
Architecture
Analysis: Written/
Sketches:
Date Description of Task:
Progress/Completed
Tutor’s
Signature :
Student’s
Signature :
Name:
1. Week (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
2. Week (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
3. Week (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
Name:
1. Week (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
2. Week (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
3. Week (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
Name:
1. Week (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
2. Week (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
3. Week (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
Name:
1. Week (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
2. Week (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
3. Week (Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)

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*Appendix C: Individual Tutorial Progression Log Sheet for Week ______. To be kept by Tutor when it is fully completed
*(Group leader please print a copy. Students please fill up the details. Bring to tutorial session)
Tutorial Group: ____________ Site/Building: ____________________ Literature Scope: ___________
Tutor’s Name: Mdm Nor Hayati binti Ramli
Name:__________________________ ID:_____________________ H/p:_________
(To be filled by students)
Date Research Task /
Required:
Literature Analysis:
Written/ Sketches:
Description of Task:
Progress/Completed
Tutor’s
Signature :
Student’s
Signature :
(Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
(Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
(Tutor’s Signature :)
(Student’s Signature :)
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