Exploration of Ancient Fractal Spatial Constructions

Islamic Arches

[Reference: Necipoglu, G. The Topkapi Scroll - Geometry and Ornament in Islamic Architecture, Santa Monica: The Getty Center for Art and

the Humanities, 1995]

The construction of ancient islamic ‘arched-structures’ from simple two dimensional drawings occurred years ago, obviously without any computer technological imput, and thus makes the works of architecture seem even more unbelievable and amazing to the contemporary eye. ‘The black ink out- lines of these pasted drawings, which generally provide the repeat unit of the overall design, were once again generated by various grid systems and often high-lighted with red and other lively colours.’2 The symmetry and repetition effectively aided the design and construction of these architectural elements, whilst representing the divinity of god and nature through the beatuy of unifi ed symmetry.