Riyadh - School of Architecture

HISTORY OF SAUDI ARABIAIn the 7th century, Saudi Arabia became the cradle of Islam as the founder of Islam, Mahammadwas born in Mecca.In the mid-18th century, imbued with the religious zeal of the Wahabbi Islamic movement,The Al Saud became aggressively expansionist.In the early 19th century, there is tribal warfare and Ottoman domination.Then Saudi Arabia found in 1932 by Abdul Aziz Al Saud.Over the following 150 years the extent of the Al Saud territory fluctuated.Five of his sons in succession have ruled Saudi Arabia as an absolute monarchyal participation.The reigns of Saud & Faisal: 1953-1975Khalid’s reign: 1975-1982Fahd’s reign: 1982-2005Abdullah’s reign: 2005 to the presentRELIGION IN SAUDI ARABIA AND ITS EFFECTS ON ARCHITECTUREISLAM (WAHHABISM IN SUNNI ISLAM)They believe that God is one and incomparable and the purpose of existence is to love andserve God. The religion is based on Quran and Wahhabism is an ultra-conservative branch,more fundamental. Islam is a simple religion. There are five pillars which they need to follow:the Shadatan, or two declarations that there is no god but one God and that Mohammedis his messenger; prayer five times a day at Mecca at specific times; fasting during the lunarmonth of Ramadan; giving of alms, a portion of one’s income, to the poor; and a pilgrimageto the Qaba for those who are physically and financially able.Abdul Aziz Al SaudKhalid bin AbdulazizAl SaudAbdullah bin AbdulazizAl SaudPRAYERSOne of the Five Pillars of Islam:Ritual prayers, called salah or salat, must beperformed five times a day.NameFajrZuhrAsrMaghribIsha’Prescribed time period (waqt)Dawn to sunriseAfter true noon until AsrAfternoon5&6After sunset until duskDusk until dawn6ISLAM ARCHITECTUREIslam is conceptually simple but complex withGod. It forbids the representation of the humanfigure in art and architecture. It only sees thewritten word. This is limiting. Yet, many of the architectsmade use of the calligraphy and decorativegeometry and this can always be seenin the Islamic art. The plan of the Islamic architectureis also featured with geometry. Someof the geometries can represent the five pillarsin the Quran or other religious icons. They areboth decoratively and structuraly beautiful.The PatternsMasjid diagram