Description
The Architectural Design of the Dome of the Rock
This centrally designed building ranks among the most beautiful buildings in the world. Yet to express this beauty in either geometrical designs or mathematical formulae is not a simple matter, especially as the original design has been lost. Several scholars have tried to understand the architectural planning of the Dome of the Rock and other related buildings. A geometrical solution is favoured by most of them. This analysis, however, has failed to provide a practical work plan for the layout and construction of the building.
Our new analysis requires the taking of one measurement only that is then divided into three equal sections (OA=AB=BC). From the centre (O), three concentric circles are drawn through A, B and C. The subsequent inner and outer octagons and star octagons of each circle create a pattern that can be used with many variations for the accurate location of walls, piers, columns and openings. As can be seen from the attached plan, the inner and outer faces of all the walls have been accounted for, including the location of all other architectural features such as the piers, columns and doorways.
Although quite conservative in character, the three circles and their geometrical derivations offer plenty of variations for the architect to choose from in order to give each centrally designed building its own character and individuality.
