Color is an important architectural element that expresses a nation's culture, traditions, and unique social behaviors. Color is influenced by the place's geography, the nature of the land, prevailing climatic conditions, and available local materials. All of which contributed to building color schemes associated with specific regions. The Old City of Mosul is one of the earliest urban centers influenced by the Islamic conquest. Located on the western bank of the Tigris River, it possesses a rich architectural and historical legacy that reached its peak during the Umayyad period. The recent war in Mosul has caused significant destruction to the urban fabric of the old city. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the color scheme of the riverfront of the old city in Mosul, with a view to leveraging it in the rebuilding and restoration of this devastated city. The methodology of the practical study began with drawing the river façade in AutoCAD, followed by analyzing digital images in MATLAB to identify the characteristics of the façade's color scheme and its color relationships, which varied in hue, color intensity, and light value. These contributed to the formation of dark and light areas, generating a scene of color blocks superimposed at different levels, unified through color harmony and contrast relationships, which maintained the unity and continuity of vision at both near and far distances along the river façade. The research found attractive color points along the riverfront, the most important of which are deep shadow spots with achromatic color, which are concentrated in the central area due to accumulation, mass overlap, and high building density.
This study explores the spatial dynamics of liminality in a densely populated informal settlement in Kampung Cikini, Central Jakarta, during the Eid al-Adha ritual. As in many urban kampungs, in Kampung Cikini, streets and alleys serve as multipurpose spaces where residents extend domestic activities into the public realm, reflecting their adaptability in navigating spatial constraints. The study uses qualitative methods, such as participant observation and interviews, to examine how this unofficial urban setting fosters rituals and social connections. The idea of liminality is used to comprehend how Kampung Cikini's spaces change during Eid al-Adha, demonstrating how small lanes foster intimacy and group ritual attention, thereby fortifying bonds within the community. Streets and alleys, regarded as transitory spaces, can present concerns with mobility ambiguity and environmental sustainability when they become ritual settings. The study suggested that this group's festivity should incorporate eco-friendly customs. The study adds to a larger conversation about the significance of informal spaces in influencing social practices and urban experiences by using the spatial analytic technique of liminality.
During the Ottoman era (fifteenth - eighteenth century), Algeria witnessed a flourishing period of Islamic art. Ottoman architectural masterpieces were characterized by unique stylistic touches and by their integration of the specific heritage of each region, drawing on local knowledge. Unfortunately, the design of contemporary mosques neglects the cultural context of their respective region. The Algerian city of Constantine, known for its rich heritage, especially in religious architecture, was famously called “the city of 100 mosques” before French colonization. Tragically, French colonial policies (1830–1962) systematically dismantled this heritage, converting mosques into churches or demolishing them; post-independence efforts often overlooked pre-colonial models. Today, only three mosques in Constantine - Sidi El-Kettani, Sidi Lakhdar, and Hassan Bey - have preserved elements of Ottoman architectural expression. For example, the Hassan Bey mosque reproduced, for the first time, a plan with several small cupolas without a large central dome, also referred to as the Ulu Cami mosque in Bursa, using local techniques such as shell-shaped squinches and Zellige tilework. This study analyzes these mosques through architectural monographs, revealing a hybrid "local Ottoman" style shaped by Ottomanization policies and regional craftsmanship. It underscores the urgency of preserving this legacy and its potential to inspire contemporary mosque design.
This study investigates the comparative acoustic performance of tropical and non-tropical mosques, focusing on key parameters including Reverberation Time (RT), Clarity (C₈₀), Definition (D₅₀), and Speech Transmission Index (STI). Data were collected from multiple case studies, including tropical and non-tropical mosques, to evaluate their suitability for speech-related religious activities. A meta-analysis was conducted using acoustic datasets compiled from 20 mosques in the existing literature. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) multiple linear regression models were constructed for each acoustic parameter to isolate the independent and combined predictive power of the structural variables. The results reveal that tropical mosques generally exhibit lower reverberation times and smaller deviations from recommended values, indicating more controlled acoustic environments. In contrast, non-tropical mosques tend to have higher RT values, often exceeding optimal limits due to large enclosed volumes and reflective materials. In terms of clarity (C₈₀) and definition (D₅₀), tropical mosques more frequently achieve values within or near recommended ranges, suggesting a better balance between early and late sound energy and improved speech intelligibility. Non-tropical mosques, however, exhibit greater variability, with several cases showing either excessive reverberation. The STI analysis further demonstrates that tropical mosques have the potential to achieve superior speech intelligibility. Non-tropical mosques generally fall within moderate levels of intelligibility. These differences are primarily influenced by architectural typology, spatial configuration, building volume, material characteristics, and the presence of electroacoustic systems. Tropical mosques, characterized by semi-open layouts and climate-responsive design strategies, inherently facilitate better sound dissipation and acoustic balance. This study concludes that while tropical mosque architecture tends to provide more favorable acoustic conditions, achieving optimal performance requires a holistic integration of architectural design, material selection, and acoustic treatment, regardless of climatic context.
The Arabic terms used by the early sources to describe the first Islamic mosques were as simple as the buildings themselves. Over time, as mosque architecture matured into its characteristic forms, the associated terminology became more refined and specialized. The varied terms for similar architectural elements often reflected chronological and regional influences, shaped by a multitude of cultural factors and the progression of the elements themselves. This lexicon was also influenced by the colloquial language of the early sources, their familiarity with architectural traditions, and/or even retrospective interpretations. Overall, a careful analysis of the vocabulary related to early mosque architecture provides valuable insights into its evolution and the cultural forces that molded its defining features.
