INT 231 History of Interiors, Art and Furnishings
Spring 2024
Ruth Hernandez Silva

week 5: Romanesque/Islamic

This week, we discovered two fascinating historical design styles: Romanesque and Islamic. Though emerging from different geographic regions and religious backgrounds, both styles significantly impacted the development of architecture, interior design, and decorative art throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Romanesque was the prevailing style of architecture in Europe during the 9th–12th centuries. Roman architecture left deep impressions on its design, with semi-circular arches, heavy walls, barrel vaults, and large-scale stone construction being evident. Interiors were dimly lit, giving Romanesque buildings a serious and solidity mood. Design concern was for houses of worship like churches and monasteries, typically decorated by frescoes, carved capitals, and stone relief designs of Bible stories for an illiterate society.

Romanesque:
Interior of Saint-Sernin Basilica in Toulouse, France


Speyer Cathedral, Germany – massive stone walls and rounded arches


Carved tympanum from Autun Cathedral, France – showing Last Judgment



Islamic:

The Great Mosque of Córdoba, Spain – horseshoe arches and double-tiered columns


In contrast, Islamic design did not appear until the 7th century and propagated extremely rapidly with the expansion of Islam. It is characterized by intricate geometric patterns, calligraphy, and floral motifs in the guise of arabesques. The horseshoe arch, the muqarnas (vaulting decoration), and the domes are the most prominent characteristics. Islamic interior avoided figurative decoration owing to religious beliefs and was based on abstract ornamentation for portraying the infinite nature of Allah.


Alhambra Palace, Granada – intricate stucco work and calligraphy


The Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem – dazzling golden dome and mosaics

Both styles, while being different, had a focus on spirituality in design and used architecture to create a feeling of awe. It was interesting to see that both styles utilized symmetry, rhythm, and repetition to direct the eyes upwards—that is, towards heaven.

Modern-Day Applications:

Even today, the Romanesque and Islamic styles influence contemporary design






Zaha Hadid – Islamic Influence in Modern Design:
 One of the most inspiring designers to take from Islamic heritage in a modern context is Zaha Hadid (1950–2016), an Iraqi British architect. Even though she worked in brittleness modernist style, much of her work drew upon Islamic art—specifically in their sinuous, curved forms and complex geometry.

Hadid's structures often recapture the flowing rhythms and spatial equilibrium of Islamic architecture but in the language of futuristic materials and technology. She moved beyond gender and cultural barriers in architecture and was the first woman in history to be awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize.




Conclusion:

Learning about Romanesque and Islamic design has given me a deeper appreciation for the spiritual and cultural values embedded in architecture. The Romanesque style taught me how architecture can reflect power, faith, and tradition through solidity and structure. On the other hand, Islamic design amazed me with its complexity and elegance—transforming abstract geometry into meaningful beauty.

It was especially fascinating to see how these ancient design languages are still present in today’s architecture and interiors. Both styles continue to inspire designers globally, reminding us that good design is timeless.





"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1554058501-0c1d3dbfcc6c" 
"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Alhambra_in_the_evening.jpg"
"https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/07/31/11/21/basilica-2556052_1280.jpg"
"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1554058501-0c1d3dbfcc6c" 
"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Alhambra_in_the_evening.jpg"


Comentarios

  1. Abigail Foster26 de septiembre de 2025 a las 10:43 p.m.

    The work by Zaha Hadid is very beautiful! I love the sleek white shapes that still retain some of the arch concept, but in a modern way.

    ResponderBorrar
  2. Professor VanderNoordaa28 de septiembre de 2025 a las 8:30 a.m.

    Ruth ,
    Excellent Blog post! 50/50 points

    ResponderBorrar

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