Reevaluating Muqarnas: A Parametric Generative Exploration

Sevde Gülizar Dinçer; Mehmet Oğuz Duru

Article Details

Reevaluating Muqarnas: A Parametric Generative Exploration

Authors:

Sevde Gülizar Dinçer | Mehmet Oğuz Duru

Publisher:

Van Yuzuncu Yıl University

Main Topics:

Mimari Bilgi İşlem ve Görselleştirme Yöntemleri | Mimari Bilim ve Teknoloji | Mimarlık ve Tasarımda Bilgi Teknolojileri

Journal:

Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi Vol.30 Issue 1, pp.258-272

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001344488

pISSN:

1300-5413

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Muqarnas, an essential feature in Islamic architecture, seamlessly combines ornamental and structural roles, adorning elements such as portals, domes, and mihrabs. The diverse design configurations of muqarnas are based on a geometric framework that guides the construction process, typically initiated by creating projection plans. Within the scope of this study, the examination of muqarnas projection plans revealed tessellations formed by strategically arranged square and rhombus units inspired by Islamic geometric patterns and early muqarnas prototypes. Analyzing the geometric structure of these tessellations facilitated a systematic approach. The study implemented each step by employing the Grasshopper plug-in in the Rhinoceros program, culminating in generating muqarnas models. This transformative process converted tessellations into tangible three-dimensional geometric units, ready for integration into muqarnas designs. This study deepened the understanding of muqarnas construction and demonstrated the integration between traditional Islamic geometric patterns and contemporary computational design tools. By blending the timeless elegance of Islamic geometric principles with cutting-edge digital methods, this research contributes to the preservation and innovation of cultural heritage, offering new insights into the future of Islamic architectural design. The parametric models represented the geometric transformations intrinsic to muqarnas, reflecting the fusion of tradition and innovation in Islamic architectural design.

 Muqarnas, an essential feature in Islamic architecture, seamlessly combines ornamental and structural roles, adorning elements such as portals, domes, and mihrabs. The diverse design configurations of muqarnas are based on a geometric framework that guides the construction process, typically initiated by creating projection plans. Within the scope of this study, the examination of muqarnas projection plans revealed tessellations formed by strategically arranged square and rhombus units inspired by Islamic geometric patterns and early muqarnas prototypes. Analyzing the geometric structure of these tessellations facilitated a systematic approach. The study implemented each step by employing the Grasshopper plug-in in the Rhinoceros program, culminating in generating muqarnas models. This transformative process converted tessellations into tangible three-dimensional geometric units, ready for integration into muqarnas designs. This study deepened the understanding of muqarnas construction and demonstrated the integration between traditional Islamic geometric patterns and contemporary computational design tools. By blending the timeless elegance of Islamic geometric principles with cutting-edge digital methods, this research contributes to the preservation and innovation of cultural heritage, offering new insights into the future of Islamic architectural design. The parametric models represented the geometric transformations intrinsic to muqarnas, reflecting the fusion of tradition and innovation in Islamic architectural design.

 Muqarnas, an essential feature in Islamic architecture, seamlessly combines ornamental and structural roles, adorning elements such as portals, domes, and mihrabs. The diverse design configurations of muqarnas are based on a geometric framework that guides the construction process, typically initiated by creating projection plans. Within the scope of this study, the examination of muqarnas projection plans revealed tessellations formed by strategically arranged square and rhombus units inspired by Islamic geometric patterns and early muqarnas prototypes. Analyzing the geometric structure of these tessellations facilitated a systematic approach. The study implemented each step by employing the Grasshopper plug-in in the Rhinoceros program, culminating in generating muqarnas models. This transformative process converted tessellations into tangible three-dimensional geometric units, ready for integration into muqarnas designs. This study deepened the understanding of muqarnas construction and demonstrated the integration between traditional Islamic geometric patterns and contemporary computational design tools. By blending the timeless elegance of Islamic geometric principles with cutting-edge digital methods, this research contributes to the preservation and innovation of cultural heritage, offering new insights into the future of Islamic architectural design. The parametric models represented the geometric transformations intrinsic to muqarnas, reflecting the fusion of tradition and innovation in Islamic architectural design.

 Mukarnas, İslam mimarisinin önemli bir unsuru olarak hem süsleme hem de yapısal işlevi ile portal, kubbe ve mihrab gibi elemanları süslemektedir. Mukarnas tasarımları genellikle projeksiyon planlarının oluşturulmasıyla başlayan inşa sürecini yönlendiren geometrik strüktürlere dayanmaktadır. Çalışma kapsamında İslami geometrik desenler ve ilk muqarnas prototiplerinden ilham alınarak mukarnas izdüşüm planları incelenmiş, kare ve baklava birimlerinden oluşan tessellasyonların ortaya çıktığı gözlenmiştir. Bu tessellasyonların geometrik yapısının analizi, sistematik bir yaklaşım geliştirilmesine olanak tanımaktadır. Rhinoceros programında Grasshopper eklentisi kullanılarak, her adım sistematik olarak işlenip mukarnas modelleri oluşturulmaktadır. Bu süreç, tessellasyonları üç boyutlu geometrik birimlere dönüştürerek mukarnas tasarımları olarak değerlendirmektedir. Mukarnas üretimleri sağlanmasının yanı sıra, geleneksel İslami geometrik desenler ile çağdaş hesaplamalı tasarım araçları arasında bir bağlantı ortaya koyan bu çalışma kültürel mirasın korunması ve yenilenmesine katkı sunmaktadır. Parametrik modeller, mukarnas tasarımında yer alan geometrik dönüşümlerin somut bir temsilini sağlayarak, İslam mimari tasarımında gelenekselliğin ve aynı zamanda yenilikçiliğin birleşimini yansıtmaktadır.

Article Details

Reevaluating Muqarnas: A Parametric Generative Exploration

Authors:

Sevde Gülizar Dinçer | Mehmet Oğuz Duru

Publisher:

Van Yuzuncu Yıl University

Main Topics:

Mimari Bilgi İşlem ve Görselleştirme Yöntemleri | Mimari Bilim ve Teknoloji | Mimarlık ve Tasarımda Bilgi Teknolojileri

Journal:

Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi Vol.30 Issue 1, pp.258-272

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001344488

pISSN:

1300-5413

Architectural geometry

Computational design

Cultural heritage

Design analysis

Muqarnas

Parametric designHesaplamalı tasarım

Kültürel miras

Mimari geometri

Mukarnas

Parametrik tasarım

Tasarım analizi

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Sevde Gülizar Dinçer | Mehmet Oğuz Duru

Publisher: Van Yuzuncu Yıl University

Main Topics: Mimari Bilgi İşlem ve Görselleştirme Yöntemleri | Mimari Bilim ve Teknoloji | Mimarlık ve Tasarımda Bilgi Teknolojileri

Journal: Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi Vol.30 Issue 1, pp.258-272

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 4/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001344488

pISSN: 1300-5413

Issues

Authors:

Sevde Gülizar Dinçer | Mehmet Oğuz Duru

Publisher:

Van Yuzuncu Yıl University

Main Topics:

Mimari Bilgi İşlem ve Görselleştirme Yöntemleri | Mimari Bilim ve Teknoloji | Mimarlık ve Tasarımda Bilgi Teknolojileri

Journal:

Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi Vol.30 Issue 1, pp.258-272

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001344488

pISSN:

1300-5413