This document outlines a project assignment for an Islamic Architecture course. Students are asked to complete two tasks: 1) an individual literature review and analysis on an Islamic architecture topic and the generation of interview questions, and 2) conducting interviews and site observations of mosques in groups. The goals are to help students develop research skills, better understand Islamic architectural principles and philosophies, and the spiritual experiences of mosque patrons. Students will compile their findings and submit a final group book and presentation by the deadline.

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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 2
Case Study: Islamic Architecture Buildings
50% of final marks:
1. 20% Individual & 10% Group – Analysis Report/Write-up of Literature Review and Survey
Analysis
2. 20% Group - Book publishing
Submission Date: Week 12 (20 November 2015)
Introduction
Islamic architecture is an architecture that was arisen with the rise of Islam. As Islam is not merely a religion but
a comprehensive way of life that completely covers every aspects of human existence, the practice of Islam
undoubtedly generates a thorough culture and civilization that express the philosophy, principles, teachings and
values of Islam. Therefore, Islamic architecture is certainly architecture of faith with the fundamentals of Islam
form as its main ground of existence.
This project encompasses of a study of literature and a fieldwork survey on mosques architecture in relation to
Islamic philosophies, principles, teachings and values. The research through the fieldwork survey intends to
investigate the spiritual experience of the mosque patron encountered when utilizing the mosque space. These
two approaches of research will provide insights to the application and integration of the Islamic philosophies,
principles, teachings and values in a mosque design and development.
Each student is required to perform literature review based on the selective research questions. The outcome of
the literature will be a set of 10 questions to be compiled and arranged to form as the class’s questionnaires.
Students in groups are also required to visit and conduct a survey study of a mosque. Each student is to get at
least 10 respondents for the survey questionnaire, performs site observation and present the findings through
data tabulation comprises of photographs and short written descriptions.
Objective
The objectives of this project are as follows:
To nurture research skills in data gathering and tabulation, and critical photographic analysis and synthesis
To enrich students’ soft skills in conducting research activities.
To encourage critical understanding of architecture with relation to spiritual and religious philosophy, principles,
teachings and values encounter through an exploration of literature and fieldwork survey relating to the Islamic
architecture.

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To develop students’ awareness of philosophical aspects of Islamic architecture
Learning Outcomes of this Project

 Explain the spiritual and religious aspects of Islamic architecture
 Understand the sense of places through patrons’ spiritual experience of Islamic architecture.
 Describe the understanding of architectural language of the Islamic architectural development
 Create on-line data account of the literature study and analysis of Islamic architecture
Task & Submission
Task 1 (Individual): Through literature studies you are to conduct literature review (in the form of analysis
sketches and Write-up) on the Islamic philosophy, principles, teachings and values of a mosque design
development aspects which are covered under the research scopes listed below.
By examine at least 5 latest related research papers (3 of the papers should be within 5 years of age) conduct
literature review based on one of the research interest listed below. Provide answers to the questions of “What?”
“Who?” “Where?” “When?”, Why?” and “How?”. Explain and compare similarities or differences of the definition,
theories, principles, philosophies, research method, and issues discussed in the papers.:
1. Spiritual Islamic Architecture -
2. Phenomenology Study of Mosque Architecture –
3. Islamic Architecture Typology – Natasya
4. Spiritual & Sense of Place – Siaw Zu
5. Architecture of Sinan –
6. Non-religious Spiritual architecture –
7. Mosque & Sacred Architecture – Kar Jun
8. Principle of Tawhid in Islamic Architecture – Ivan
9. Hadith and Architecture – Sze Chun
10. Architecture and Sufism –
11. Al Quran and Architecture –
12. Spiritual Architecture of Le Corbusier – Kelvin
13. Architecturel Spiritual Theories –
14. Mosque Forms and Meaning – Visagan
15. Spirituality and Mosque – Nicholas
16. Mosque and Conservation – Wei Xing
17. Mosque as Spiritual Community Centre –
18. Principle ‘Urf in Islamic Architecture - Ain
Next, using the literature review generate open Interview Questions. This is for the purpose of understanding the
spiritual experience of the regular patrons of the mosque. You are to generate 10 open interview questions of
mosque spiritual experience related to your chosen literature topic above.
Submission format:
1. Literature review in excel/tabular report format and Interview Questions. 2. Analysis Report/write-up

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Task 2 (Group): Students in the same group as project 1 are to conduct a research (interview session and photo
documentation-observation) on mosque’s regular patrons relating to the philosophies, principles, teachings and
values of Islam in the design and development aspects of Islamic architecture in general and of a mosque in
particular from the list below:
i. Masjid As- Salam, Puchong, Selangor – Nicholas
ii. Masjid Al- Khairiyah, Gombak, Selangor -Kenneth
iii. Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Halim Aziz, Jalan Templer, PJ - Natasya
iv. Masjid & Surau Seksyen 7, Shah Alam, Selangor - Visagan
Submission format:
1. Analysis Report/write-up of Spiritual Sense of Space Analysis.
2. Group - Book publishing compiling Project 1 and 2
Week 12 (19 June 2015): Soft copy (cd, dvd or thumb drive) of all data tabulation and digital photograph
database/bank down-loaded into the Islamic architectural blog.
Marking Criteria
Marks shall be distributed as follows:
Analysis Report/Write-up of Literature Review and Survey Analysis (30%)
Analysis Report /Write up (Content, and) 20%
Data Gathering (Literature Review, Site Study & Interview) 10%
Book Publishing and Presentation: (Group 20%)
Organization of book publishing + APA references & citations 10%
Presentation 10%
Contact
Nor Hayati Ramli norhayati.r@taylors.edu.my
rosyatie@gmail.com
facebook Puan Yati
blog http://yatilifeisgreat.blogspot.com/
Office 0356295000 ext 5251
Recommended Reading
Main
References :
1. Robert Hillenbrand (2004). Islamic Architecture: Form, Function and Meaning.
Columbia University Press ISBN-13: 978-0231101332
2. 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.
3. Omar, Spahic (2009). Islamic Architecture, Its Phylosophy, spiritual significance &
some early developments, A.S. Noordeen K.L.
4. Omar, Spahic (2010). Islamic & Housing, A.S. Noordeen K.L.
5. Ullman, h.f. (2007), Islam Art & Architecture, English Ed of Tandem Verlag GmbH
German, China
6. Lucien De Guise, Nosreen Moustafa (2008). Divine Inspiration Seven Principles of

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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:

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*Appendix B: 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 :
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