THE BLUE MOSQUE - INTERIOR CEILING

Istanbul, Turkey

The function of any building is to provide boundaries and shelter for its users. It’s always nice if the outward appearance of the building expresses itself in a way that is consistent with its use. A jail should look like a jail. In this case, a place or worship should look like a place of worship, which The Blue Mosque does. Likewise, the principal interior spaces should reflect the spirit and values of the use and the users. For a mosque, a church, or a synagogue, the objective would be that the interior space creates a sense of spirituality, a feeling that you are in the presence of a greater power. Grand interior ceiling heights start that work, but use of light, both natural and artificial, balance of elements and proportions, the use of appropriate materials and finishes, contribute to and complete the objectives.  

The Blue Mosque succeeds on both fronts – exterior and interior. This view of the ceiling of the inner worship space in as seen for the center axis of the grant dome 141’ overhead. Notice the perfect symmetry – with the four massive columns rising to support the dome. And the secondary and tertiary half domes that shed downward off the main done. Each layer of dome is opened with arrays of window, which both admit light into the space, and at the same time give a sense that they domes are almost floating - all in perfect balance and in harmony with the whole. That the architect and the interior designer managed to blend their respective design objectives into this unified masterpiece qualifies it as ‘magnifique’.