How to develop a topic and create a concept

1.  Write down your topic.

Briefly describe the topic in a broad sentence or question.

2.  Identify the main words and concepts in each question. These are your keywords.

3.  Identify alternative words and concepts for your keywords.

Make a list of other words (synonyms) that could be used in place of the keywords. 

Keep in mind that people who write or talk about the same topic may not use the

same terminology.

Think about terminology that might be used by professionals in various disciplines

who work with and write about your topic.  

4.  Identify subject areas relevant to your topic.

Think about who is likely to write and read about the topic. Will there be people from

more than one discipline be interested?   

For example, is your topic of interest to scientists, sociologists, historians, health

professionals?

Create a concept map for your topic

A concept map can help to begin to think about the topic and create a search

strategy. Concept maps include the key concepts associated with your topic, alternative

terminology for these concepts, and the relationships between the various aspects of the

topic.

Theme: Religious places

Concept: 7 Principles of Islamic architecture:

Islamic architecture is deeply linked with the Islamic principles. I have chosen this topic as it

has very key importance attached to it and being a Muslim I always wanted to know about the

idea behind Islamic building and their sculptures, calligraphy designs, and how all these are

connected with the principles. Islamic architecture implies architecture, which respects the

Islamic principle from Al Quran and Sunnah for the formation of built environment. Moreover,

it further increases my knowledge about the religion of Islam and its architecture: ancient

buildings, mosques and whenever I visit such places I know how a particular aspect of the

building is related to a certain principle, which has a great signification.

1.Architecture as Tawhid: Unity & Equality of Allah

An Islamic building should focus on strengthening the bond between Muslims within

conformity to God’s will.

2. Architecture of Ihtiram: Respect

An Islamic building should represent Muslims respect and obedience to Allah.

3. Architecture with Ikhlas: Sincerity

A Muslim architect should show sincerity and purity in their design motivation, and built

within conformity to God’s will.

4. Architecture as Pursuit of Ilm: Knowledge

An Islamic building celebrates knowledge through calligraphy of religious Inscriptions and uses

light as an expression of knowledge.

 

5. Architecture for Iqtisad: Balance

An Islamic building should have harmony between functional and spiritual elements.

6. Architecture of Haya’: Modesty

An Islamic building should be discreet and preserve the dignity of its owner or users

7. Architecture as Dikr: Remembrance

An Islamic building should be an aid to remembrance of Allah.

Location 1: Putrajaya

Putra Jaya, the new Federal Government Administrative Centre, is a modern city, which adhere

the idea of an intelligent green city and portrays the best of Malaysian architectural design in an

eco friendly atmosphere of exquisitely landscaped lakes and parks. The important segments in

Putra Jaya City are allotted into sectors and comprise government offices, as well as

commercial, residential and recreational zones. It also features mind-blowing building

concepts; buildings in the government sector are equipped with computerized tools and

comforts. Hotel lodging in the city is rated three to five-star, and provide luxurious suites,

modern conference, banquet as well as entertainment services.

Putra Mosque

Putra Jaya Mosque is known as world’s most beautiful modern mosques, is found in front the

attractive Putra Jaya Lake and is considered as the most renowned place in Putra Jaya. A

concrete example of to what extent the development of Malaysian mosque design has reached,

the Islamic architecture of the Putra Jaya Mosque balances creatively local techniques and

designs of traditional origin using material found nearby. Built from the Islamic architecture of

Persia during the Safavid era, the mosque has also merged Muslim cultural features into the

design. The Putra Jaya Mosque includes the architectural elegances of Persia, Malaysia, and

Arab-Islam that follows in the mosque’s main entry like the Muslim Persian public structure

gates. The 116-meter minaret of the mosque was based by the Sheikh Omar Mosque’s design in

Baghdad. Moreover, the mosque’s foundation wall is similar as in Casablanca, Morocco, the

King Hassan Mosque. The mosque has a pinkish appearance from outside as pink granite was

used to build it. The desert pink color matches the cengal woodwork on the windows, doors,

and panelsThe Prayer Hall is stylish and simple with twelve columns withstanding the main

dome, which is thirty-six meters in diameter. Khat (or Islamic calligraphy) embellishes the

place that indicates the direction in which to face Mecca or “mehrab” and the pulpit or

“mimbar”. The scenery of the courtyard is built with structures to house five thousand people

or more.

Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque :

The Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque is the important place in the new seat of

government. Constructed adjacent to the Millennium Monument at Putra Lake, the holy

building known ordinarily as the Iron Mosque states the existence and strength of Islam. The

special cooling system, which makes air-conditioning systems and fans needless thanks to

GKD's stainless steel net. Furthermore, the translucent spiral mesh offers people praying with

considerable protection from the sun and rain. The second main mosque in Putra Jaya, the

Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, situated two kilometers apart from the Putra Mosque.

Very spacious, more modern and relatively special from the common design, the Iron Mosque

meets modern standards. About 70% of the building is built with steel that’s why it has been

named as “The Steel Mosque”. A new representation of Islamic architecture, its 24m-high

front characterizes a traditionalist steel structure with typical geometric decoration. A

latticework front made up of stainless steel spiral mesh seamlessly links the rectangular

openings of the curving structure. Protected virtually imperceptibly using hook bolts; they show

the building contractor’s wish for simplicity, transparency and openness. Based on your relative

position and where the light is shining, the fabric mantle has a translucent or a metallic, shining

or even a unicolor, light-grey facade. During the night, staged lighting brings the transparency

to life in a burst of illumination. In addition to this emblematic appearance, the robust, also

meets tremendously complex technical purposes. The proposals of architect Nik Arshad Nik

Mohammed made forethought for natural air-conditioning in the main prayer hall, which offers

space for 20,000 worshippers. In this way comfortable, natural air-conditioning, which renders

the use of air-conditioning systems and fans unnecessary, is generated throughout the mosque.

The window’s openings extend across the whole height of the fascia; the mesh is offering an

efficient means of shield against sun and rain. Meanwhile, the transparent intertwined structure,

along with the soft radiance of daylight, features the peaceful atmosphere in the mosque.

Mixing beauty with spirituality making them into generally pertinent structures. The only

fundamental component for worshippers is the Qibla, a wall of prayer, which faces the exact

focus of Mecca. As a place for prayer, learning and teaching, the Iron Mosque in Putra Jaya

merges traditional religiousness with a modern sense of identity.

Location 2: KL

National mosque

The National Mosque of Malaysia is found at Kuala Lumpur. The mosque has the capacity to

welcome 15,000 people and is bounded by rich greenery, which extends, to a 13-acre plot. The

prime structure of the mosque was the fruit of a team of three people from the Public Works

Department. The mosque was constructed on the site of a church in 1965. The mosque has been

standing firm on its lands since then and is now regarded as a key symbol of Malaysia.

The utmost components of the mosque are the 73 meters high minarets and its 16-pointed star

concrete, which is its highest and main roof. This particular design of the mosque represents

many aspects in Islam. The main roof's architecture was inspired from the concept of an open

umbrella while the minarets looks like a closed umbrella. The concrete core roof uses the idea

of folding plates as a result, to gain a larger space at the main assembly hall.

In the compound there are many reflecting pools and also fountains. The National Mosque is

located a kilometer far from the popular Lake Gardens Kuala Lumpur. The Lake Gardens itself

consists of five different gardens and parks which lure thousands of visitors each year.

Amongst the parks at the Lake Gardens are the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park and the Deer Park

Kuala Lumpur. The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is a beautiful space to visit with over 3000 birds

from more than 200 kinds. Feeding birds and taking clicks are permitted in the bird park.

Feeding and photo shooting is also allowed at the deer park.

Jamek Mosque

Masjid Jamek is one among the oldest mosques and is located at the convergence of the Klang

and Gombank rivers, which normally appear more like big monsoonal evacuations with

concrete riverbanks. The mosque is found lied underneath a shelter of shady waving coconut

trees. Masjid Jamek helps to prompt us that life during the ancient days was more equally

regulated and less chaotic. The core minarets among other minor ones rim the mosque and have

3 onions shaped domes. The prayer hall is situated below the central dome and is 21.3 meters of

height.

 

Location 3: Shah Alam

Shah Alam is a city in Malaysia. Selangor’s capital city is the lovely, clean town of Shah Alam.

Shah Alam is proud to be home to the world’s only agro-forestry park, is a place of attraction

and its cautious planning is obvious in every nooks and corners. The green park of Bukit

Cahaya, cultural attractions and several new hotels built and attraction of Shah Alam. This city

has also a beautiful designed recreational park with a relaxing lakeside setting and even a

“floating” restaurant in the neighborhood. Shah Alam also has a world-class stadium and sports

complexes and an international standard racing track. Praised as one of the most well devised

cities, Shah Alam has most of its residential area on one edge of the Federal Highway and

industrial zones on the other side. Thus, Shah Alam has been built with respect to a blueprint

sketched with the setting at the planning of the architects.

The   Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque

The Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque is the state mosque of Selangor, Malaysia. It

is the country's largest mosque and also the second largest mosque in Southeast Asia after

Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia. Its most distinctive feature is its large blue and silver

dome. The mosque has four minaret, one raised at each of the corners. The architectural design

of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque is а mixture of Malay and modern style.

The mosque has the ability to host about 24,000 worshippers at any time and is spacious

enough that during a clear day it can be seen from same vantage points in Kuala Lumpur. The

main dome of the mosque is 51.2 m in diameter and 106.7 m (350 ft.) in height from ground. It

is built mostly from aluminum. The minarets are positioned at each of the four corners and are

142.3 m tall.

Components of Malay and Islamic architecture are integrated into the surfaces of the edifice.

Finely decorated khat (Arabic calligraphy) can be viewed on the inner curve of the dome and

segments of the walls. The calligraphy work was performed by the Egyptian calligrapher

Shiekh Abdel Moneim Mohamed Ali El Sharkawi. Aluminum grills of complex design can be

seen on the doorways, windows and walls of the Mosque. The windows are equipped with blue

tainted glass, which will reduce the amount of light that can penetrate the hall. Consequently,

filtered illumination creates а bluish atmosphere to the internal area inducing а sense of peace

and coolness. The high ceiling has triangular panels of red balau and ramin timber wood that

are fixed in crisscrossing display. The dome is made of aluminum and the external surface is

covered with glassy enamel layer triangular steel panels adorned with а representation of verses

from the Qur'an. The main prayer hall consists of two levels and is totally carpeted and air

conditioned and is one of the spacious such places in the world. The upper walkway of the

prayer hall is reserved for the use of female worshippers. Furthermore, second floor has а

gallery, the ground floor holds the administrative office, conference rooms, library, and

reception and lecture rooms.

The Blue Mosque represents the Garden of Islamic Arts, а-landscaped park inspired by the

Quranic Garden of Paradise. There are 14 hectares of spiritual shelter houses, nine galleries

displaying а rich collection of Islamic arts such as calligraphy, sculptures, paintings and

architecture. The site is sometimes used for traditional Islamic recitals.

Draft Images:

1. Architecture as Tawhid : Unity & Equality of Allah

Prayer Hall of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque.

Prayer Hall of The Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque.

Prayer Hall of Putra Mosque. Prayer Hall of Masjid Jamek.

2.   Architecture of Ihtiram : Respect:

Screen wall in geometric shape( National Mosque).

Geometrical knowledge applied through the convoluted Islamic

ornaments.

Gate with repeated design Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz

Shah Mosque.

Rectangular pattern The Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque.

3. Architecture with Ikhlas : Sincerity

Ceiling decoration, Jamek Mosque.

Inner Dome ceiling ornaments (Putra Mosque).

Inner Dome ceiling ornaments (Putra Mosque).

4. Architecture as Pursuit of Ilm : Knowledge

Calligraphy, Putra Mosque.

Calligraphy on the inner dome ceiling Sultan Salahuddin Abdul

Aziz Shah Mosque.

Graceful blue dome, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah

Mosque.

Inner dome calligraphy, The Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin

Mosque.

Quranic inscription located ad the entrance of National Mosque.

The use of light, Putra Mosque.

The use of Natural light, Jamek Mosque.

The use of Natural light, National Mosque.

The use of natural light Sultan Salahuddin Abdul

Aziz Shah Mosque.

5. Architecture for Iqtisad : Balance

Achieving balance through symmetrical axis, National

Mosque.

Achieving balance through symmetrical axis, Putra

Mosque.

6.

Architecture of Haya ’: Modesty

Wood Screening inside the Mosque Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque.

Concrete Screening inside the Mosque Sultan Salahuddin Abdul

Aziz Shah Mosque.

Bent Entrance, Putra Mosque.

Screening use as architecture visual and environmental component on

the external part and as private shielding, National Mosque.

Architecture wire mesh, as privacy, Tuanku Mizan Zainal

Abidin Mosque.

Architecture wire mesh, as privacy, Tuanku Mizan

Zainal Abidin Mosque.

7. Architecture as Dikr : Remembrance

Panoramic view, Jamek Mosque.

Pillars join firmly with the ceiling with

repetitive structure, Putra Mosque.

Pillars separated with each other by the same distance, National Mosque.

Architectural Photography Tips

1. “Be sensitive to the direction of light as this can increase contrast, shadows, textures and

reflections. High levels of contrast can fool cameras into exposing the scene incorrectly,

but shooters can easily overcome this by applying exposure compensation.”

2. “It can be difficult to correctly white balance an interior setting, especially ones that are

reliant on various forms of artificial lighting, so remember to compensate accordingly in

the White Balance menu or take a reading from a grey card. Interior shots in older

buildings tend to be more irksome because they traditionally feature small windows and

doors – thus lack natural light. Try using a tripod and executing a long-exposure and

remember you could always utilise an ND filter to stop highlights being blown out when

shooting in the day. Alternatively you could use supplementary lighting, such as a

diffused flash but be careful as this may rob the scene of its atmosphere and detail.”

3. “ Unlike other forms of photography, exciting architectural images can be produced in all

weathers. A church on a clear day may strike the viewer as pleasant but maybe a bit bland,

revisit it when there’s a storm brewing overhead or a mist rising from the damp earth and

the results can be altogether more intriguing. By revisiting and shooting the same building

in these various weather conditions, photographer’s can produce a neat portfolio of shots –

maybe select the best three and you’ll have yourself an interest triptych.”

4. “ Reflections add an extra dimension to architectural images and allow the photographer

to create a canvas on which the building can be playfully distorted. Urban environments

are littered with a multitude of reflective surfaces, so you’ll never have to look too far to

practice, for example: windows, water features, puddles and wet streets, sunglasses, rivers

and modern art.”

5. “Research the reason why the architecture exists – you’ll be surprised how a little bit of

background information can fuel a great deal of inspiration. Ask a guide to point out small

yet interesting aspects that perhaps go unnoticed by the general public. Buildings of

architectural merit usually include focal points so try cropping in close on these for frame-

filling abstracts. Furthermore you may want to include repeated artefacts that are littered

across the exterior, for example; intricate brickwork or chequer board windows. Use a

telephoto lens to zoom in close and don’t forget a tripod to support those longer focal

lengths.”

6. “Architectural images shouldn’t just be aesthetic and graphic; they should also provide

dynamism and movement – so play with the lines, the light and the shadows to provide

interest and consider the hierarchy of levels and areas. Architecture is built on the

principle of symmetry, so capturing this symmetry will ultimately reinforce the subject

matter and hopefully strengthen the composition. Discover the centre of the symmetry by

placing your hand between your eye-line and construct your frame around this centre.

Alternatively break free of the cold and sterile straight lines and rectilinear angles and

follow the principles of nature by including curves and circles in the form of shadows or

reflections can help to soften the structure.”

Graphical Book Layout

Dust Jacket

FRONT COVER BACKGROUND OF THE GRAPHICAL BOOK AND LITERATURE REVIEW

BACKGROUD FOR THE OTHER PAGES

Mapping