Week 5- Islamic and Romanesque Design

INT221-History of interiors Blog 

By: Nicol Valeria Torres Villamil

Week 5-  Islamic and Romanesque Design

This week we were learning about Islamic and Romanesque styles-two styles existed in two different different regions but maintain a strong connection with religion, spirituality, and cultural identity. 

Islamic design came up after the rise of Islam in the 7th century. It appears more in religious architecture, the mosque being the best example of it. The main characteristics are horseshoe-shaped arches, domes, courtyards, detailed mosaics, and arabesques. Calligraphy and ornamentation replaced figurative representation, signifying divine beautythrough abstraction. Some of the famous examples are the Great Mosque of Córdoba, the Alhambra in Spain, and the Taj Mahal in India.

Romanesque style emerged in Medieval Europe during the 10th to 12th centuries and was extremely tied with Christianity and monasticism. The architecture comprises thick stone walls, small windows, semicircular arches, barrel vaults, and large towers. Some famous examples include Cluny Abbey, the Pisa Baptistery, and the Abbey of Fontenay.

Together, these styles show religion dictating different design concerns: Islam went for ornament, light, and geometry, while Romanesque architecture stood for solidity, fortification, and community worship.

 

Historical Images

Great Mosque of Córdoba (Spain)  

Famous for its red-and-white horseshoe arches and hypostyle hall.

 Alhambra (Granada, Spain)

 

Palace complex with elaborate stucco, tilework, and gardens symbolizing

paradise.

Taj Mahal (India)

 

A mausoleum blending Persian, Indian, and Islamic design with a perfect white

marble dome.

 Cluny Abbey (France)

 

One of the largest medieval monasteries, symbolizing the power of the

Benedictine order.

 Abbey of Fontenay (France)

 

A Romanesque abbey with thick stone walls and semicircular arches,

reflecting monastic austerity.

 Current Application

Modern Mosques (e.g., Doha, Qatar) 

 

Contemporary mosques use glass, steel, and light but preserve domes, arches, and courtyards.

 Mosaic Tile Design in Interiors

 

Islamic-inspired tiles are widely used in kitchens, bathrooms, and modern decorative walls.

 Neo Romanesque Churches

 

Some modern churches revive the Romanesque style with heavy stone facades and rounded arches.

University and Museum Buildings

 

Institutions use Romanesque elements like towers and arcades to evoke tradition and stability.

Landscape and Garden Design

 

Islamic courtyard gardens with water channels inspire today’s sustainable and meditative landscapes.

 One Step Further – Mimar Sinan

 

For my One Step Further, I decided to research Master Mimar Sinan (1489-1588), one of the greatest Islamic architects of the Ottoman period. More than 300 buildings were designed by this genius architect, indeed mosques, madrasas, and palaces. Among his best-known works are the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, and the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, where interior harmony and spirituality were given a final dimension through the use of utmost engineering of domes and light. Later Islamic architecture was influenced by Sinan's designs, and they were a great inspiration to European architects who admired his engineering prowess and his sense of proportion; his name has been compared with Michelangelo in the West. 

 Reflection

Studying Islamic and Romanesque architecture showed me how design reflects culture and belief. The intricate ornament and geometry of Islamic design impressed me; they felt artistic and spiritual. While, on the other hand, the strength and permanence of Romanesque churches spoke of architecture as the very expression of faith and community.

What struck me most was that while such a difference in style exists, they both tried to connect people with something larger than themselves-beyond the spectacular beauty of mosaics and domes to the imposing might of stone walls and arches.