Eschewing the intricacy of traditional Islamic architecture, these five buildings reimagine this ancient typology for modern times
Popular since around the 7th Century. Islamic architecture has been dazzling the world with its intricacy since. Even today, architects continue to celebrate this ancient architecture albeit, with adaptions for modern times.
We've chosen five such complex and beautiful buildings inspired by Islamic architecture.
1. Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar
Designed by the late IM Pei, the 376,740-sq ft Museum of Islamic Art completed in 2008 appears to arise from the sea, located as it is by the Arabian Gulf in Doha Bay. The massive building was built to house international masterpieces in galleries encircling the soaring, five-storey-high domed atrium.
To ensure future buildings would never encroach on the Museum, the building was built on a man-made island some 195 feet off Doha’s Corniche. A park of approximately 64 acres of dunes and oases on the shoreline behind the museum was also created, offering shelter and a picturesque backdrop.