An Analytical Study of the Methods of Design and Geometric Constructions in Architectural Ornaments of the Friday Mosque of Forumad

The Friday Mosque of Forumad, Masjid-i Jami Forumad is a small two-iwan mosque in the northeast of Iran. Although the building has no inscription, it is believed to date back to the eleventh or twelfth century, during the late Seljuk dynasty. Nearly the whole construction is finely decorated by vegetal and geometric patterns in stucco, brickwork with glazed brick, and elaborate muqarnas. These features make this mosque a prototype for studying the history of architectural ornaments and geometric patterns in Persian mosques. This research intends to propose approaches for depicting the substructures and geometric constructions of these architectural ornaments. By doing so, the knowledge of the architects in practical geometry and their creativity in constructing exclusive geometric designs is highlighted. In addition, attempts have been made to demonstrate the influence of ornaments of this mosque as a pioneer sample of initial forms of girih patterns in Persian architecture.