Islamic architectural elements
Islamic Vaulting
In Islamic buildings, vaulting follows two distinct architectural styles: Whilst Umayyad architecture continues Syrian traditions of the 6th and 7th…
Tadelakt
Tadelakt is a waterproof plaster surface used in Moroccan architecture to make baths, sinks, water vessels, interior and exterior walls,…
Squinch
A squinch in architecture is a construction filling in the upper angles of a square room so as to form…
Shabestan
A shabestan or shabistan (Persian: شبستان; Old Persian xšapā.stāna) is an underground space that can be usually found in traditional…
Semi-dome
A semi-dome, also called a "half-dome", is the term in architecture for half a dome ("cut" vertically), used to cover…
Sahn
A sahn, (Arabic: صحن, ṣaḥn), is a courtyard in Islamic architecture. Most traditional mosques have a large central sahn, which…
Riwaq in arcade
A riwaq (or rivaq, Arabic: رواق) is an arcade or portico open on at least one side. It is an…
Mashrabiya
A mashrabiya (Arabic: مشربية), also either shanshūl (شنشول) or rūshān (روشان), is a type of projecting oriel window enclosed with…
Liwan
Liwan (Arabic: ليوان, from Persian eyvān) is a word used since ancient times into the present to refer to a…
Kucheh
In traditional Persian architecture, a kucheh or koocheh (Persian: کوچه), is a narrow especially designed alley. Remnants of it are…
Jharokha
A jharokha (Hindi: झरेखा Jharokha, eingedeutscht also Jaroka ) is a type of overhanging enclosed balcony used in the architecture…
Iwan in architecture
An iwan (Persian: ایوان eyvān, Arabic: إيوان Iwan, also spelled ivan, Turkish: eyvan) is a rectangular hall or space, usually…
Hypostyle
In architecture, a hypostyle hall has a roof which is supported by columns. Etymology The word hypostyle comes from the…
Chhajja
A chhajja is the projecting or overhanging eaves or cover of a roof, usually supported on large carved brackets. It…
Chahartaq in architecture
Chartaq (Persian: چارطاق) chahartaq (چهارطاق), chartaqi (چارطاقی), or chahartaqi (چهارطاقی), literally meaning "four arches", is an architectural unit consisted of…