Fractal Dimension of Islamic Architecture:The case of the Mameluke Madrasas - Al-Sultan Hassan Madrasa

Year 2019, Volume: 32 Issue: 1, 27 - 37, 01.03.2019

Mai Abdelsalam , Mohamed Ibrahım

Abstract

Islamic
architecture represents a successful example in extracting the mathematical
proportions and the fractal geometry of the natural organisms. The Mameluke
architecture is considered a transitional stage to a more self-similar detailed
geometry presented in a diverse scale range. That was the motive behind using
the fractal geometry as a patterned grid in Mameluke designs. Therefore, this
research objective is to reveal the hidden dimensions within the fractal
geometry in Mameluke architecture with special emphasis on Al-sultan Hassan
madrasa as a case study. Fractal geometry exists within its geometry in four
levels; the internal spaces main subdivisions, floor patterns, al-muqarnas and
ornaments. Thus, the research establishes an interactive parametric model,
which has two reversible functions; First, to analyse by tracing the fractal
geometry evolution of Al-sultan Hassan madrasa layout and secondly, to apply
the fractal dimension as a design generator to more advanced fractal forms.
Al-sultan Hassan madrasa represents the likelihood of analysing and generating
further styles based on its fractal geometry. The process could be applied
supplemented with the parameters and limitations change. Hence, an infinite
number of design variations are generated based on the fractal geometry of a specific
style.

Keywords

Fractal Geometry, Islamic Architecture, Parametric Design, Geometry Evolution

References

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