sustainability Article The Pavilions at the Alhambra’s Court of the Lions: Graphic Analysis of Muqarnas Antonio Gámiz-Gordo 1,* , Ignacio Ferrer-Pérez-Blanco 2 and Juan Francisco Reinoso-Gordo 3,* 1 Architectural Expression Graphic Department, University of Seville, 41012 Seville, Spain 2 Laboratory of Digital Culture for Architectural Projects, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; ignacio.ferrer@epfl.ch 3 Architectural and Engineering Graphic Expression Department, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain * Correspondence: [email protected] (A.G.-G.); [email protected] (J.F.R.-G.) Received: 16 July 2020; Accepted: 11 August 2020; Published: 13 August 2020 Abstract: This research documents and graphically analyzes the pavilions muqarnas at the Court of the Lions in the Alhambra in Granada, a World Heritage Site. In order to cast some light on the understanding and preservation of these 14th century architectural elements, after a brief report of historical data on catastrophes and restorations, a novel methodology for the case study based on three complementary graphic analyses is presented here: First, there is a review of outstanding images ranging from the 17th to the 20th centuries; subsequently, new CAD (computer-aided design) drawings from pavilions muqarnas testing the theoretic principles from their geometric grouping are accomplished for the first time; and finally, a 3D laser scanner is used to understand the precise present-day state from the point cloud obtained. Comparing drawings allows us to assess the muqarnas relevance while proving, for the first time, that the muqarnas of both pavilions have distinct configurations and different amounts of pieces. Besides, this process reveals geometric deformations existing in the original Nasrid muqarnas compositions, identifying small pieces hitherto unknown, plus additional deformations resulting from adjustments after important threats that both pavilions and their muqarnas overcame for centuries, despite their fragile construction. Keywords: muqarnas; Alhambra; graphic analysis; drawings; 3D laser scanner; historical images; cultural heritage; UNESCO; Spain 1. Introduction 1.1. Background. Brief Historical Data on Catastrophes and Restorations in the Court of the Lions The study target in this research is located at the Alhambra Royal House in Granada (southern Spain), a Medieval urban complex -Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín- included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List taken into account several reasons, particularly the outstanding criterion IV [1]: “The Alhambra and Generalife bear exceptional testimony to Muslim Spain the 13th and 15th centuries. They form a remarkable example of the palatine residences of medieval Islam, neither destroyed nor changed by the vicissitudes of time, as with the examples in Maghreb. The attributes contained in the inscribed property justify their exceptional position in the Islamic architectural tradition of the Early Middle Ages, and they express the authenticity in a reliable way. Since its conception as a palatine city, its architecture began from a proportional system, following the principles of area compartmentalization, no exteriorization and the typical acclimatized design of the Islamic culture. Together with this, it comes to fruition in a decorative program based upon geometry, epigraphy and vegetable decoration that attain its most characteristic expression in Mocárabe [muqarnas] vaults”. Sustainability 2020, 12, 6556; doi:10.3390/su12166556 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability Sustainability 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 18 Sustainability 2020, 12, 6556 2 of 18 epigraphy and vegetable decoration that attain its most characteristic expression in Mocárabe [muqarnas] vaults”. No other place in the the Alhambra Alhambra is is as as interesting interesting as as the the Lions Lions Palace Palace and and its its famous famous courtyard, courtyard, a amasterpiece masterpiece of of Nasrid Nasrid and and Islam Islam art art in in Spain, Spain, bu builtilt during during the the reign reign of of Muhammad Muhammad V (1354–1359 and 1362–1391)1362–1391) [[2].2]. TheThe groupingsgroupings of of muqarnas muqarnas pieces pieces used used in in this this environment environment are are undoubtedly undoubtedly one one of the of mostthe most outstanding outstanding features features of its of architectural its architectural identity. identity. The CourtThe Court of the of Lions the Lions has a has rectangular a rectangular plan measuring 28.50 15.70 m and formed by two perpendicular axes. Its elegant perimeter gallery rests plan measuring 28.50× × 15.70 m and formed by two perpendicular axes. Its elegant perimeter gallery onrests 124 on white 124 white marble marble columns columns with ringed with shaftsringedthat shafts are that grouped are grouped in subtle in compositional subtle compositional rhythms (Figurerhythms1). (Figure 1). Figure 1. Owen Jones; Jules Goury. 1842. “Plan of the Roya Royall Arabian Palace in the ancient fortress of the Alhambra” (red squares mark the Pavilions in thethe Court of Lions; top of the image facing North) [Plans, elevations,elevations, sections,sections, andand detailsdetails ofof thethe AlhambraAlhambra Vol.Vol. 1,1, plateplate 3].3]. In the the middle middle of of the the smaller smaller sides sides of the of thepatio patio stand stand out two out almost two almost square-shaped square-shaped temples temples which whichare considered are considered authentic authentic masterpieces masterpieces of the ofNa thesrid Nasrid art (Figure art (Figure 2a,b).2a,b). Above Above their their columns columns and andabacuses abacuses there there are arebrick brick pillars pillars covered covered with with fine fine plaster plaster decoration, decoration, which which support support the the beams on which eaveseaves andand roofsroofs rest.rest. This lintel-based layout freed the arcs from aa structuralstructural oror load-bearingload-bearing function, andand facilitated the inclusion of a beautiful openwork ornamentation that allows the passage of light and the incorporation of sophisticatedsophisticated compositionscompositions ofof muqarnas,muqarnas, thethe targettarget ofof thisthis study.study. The pavilions’spavilions's inner floor floor is ma madede of marble and covered with stunning hemispherical wooden domes, which are oneone ofof thethe finestfinest examplesexamples ofof 14th14th centurycentury carpentrycarpentry worksworks inin Granada.Granada. Plaster muqarnas pendentives, which are also a target of thisthis study, were designeddesigned as a transition from the square planplan toto thethe domesdomes circularcircular plan.plan. SustainabilitySustainability 20202020,, 1212,, x 6556 FOR PEER REVIEW 3 3of of 18 18 (a) (b) FigureFigure 2. 2. PicturesPictures from from the the Court Court of of the the Lions Lions [taken [taken by by the the authors]: authors]: ( (aa)) View View to to the the western western Pavilion Pavilion (2004);(2004); ( (bb)) view view to to the the eastern eastern Pavilion Pavilion (2018). (2018). TheThe Nasrid Nasrid dynasty dynasty carefully carefully chose chose locations locations for for their their fortresses fortresses and and foundations, foundations, taking taking into into accountaccount the the important important seismic seismic activity activity in inits itskingdom kingdom and and particularly particularly in the in citadel the citadel of Granada. of Granada. The AlhambraThe Alhambra underground, underground, called called“Formación “Formaci Alhambraón Alhambra”” by current by currentGeology Geology experts is experts quite suitable is quite tosuitable reduce to seismic reduce risk. seismic Both risk. site Bothand geological site and geological disposition disposition have been have crucial been factors crucial for factors the Palace's for the conservationPalace’s conservation thus far [3,4]. thus A far hist [3,4orical]. A historicaldocument document [5] reported [5] reportedthe flood theof the flood river of Darro the river on Darro5 March on 16005 March that 1600affected that the aff ectedbase of the the base Alhambra of the Alhambrahill, leading hill, to leadingsignificant to significantlandslides in landslides what is nowadays in what is knownnowadays as ‘Tajo known de San as ‘Tajo Pedro’, de San an Pedro’,area which an area keep whichs a part keeps of the a partmonument of the monument at geological at geological risk. risk. TheThe risk risk of of ruin ruin threatened threatened the the Court Court of of the the Lions Lions many many times, times, as as indicated indicated by by the the historical historical data data outlinedoutlined below. AccordingAccording to to the the most most prominent prominent Alhambra Alhambra curator curator architect, architect, Leopoldo Leopoldo Torres Torres Balbás, Balbás,the Nasrid the Nasrid decadence decadence had a turning had a turning point onpoint 27 Juneon 27 1431, June when1431, when a major a major earthquake earthquake collapsed collapsed some somewalls walls and towers, and towers, a few a days few afterdays the after entrance the entrance of John of II John of Castile II of Castile II in the II Vega in the de Vega Granada de Granada starting startingthe Battle the of Battle La Higueruela of La Higueruela [6]. [6]. RepairsRepairs have have been been incessant incessant in in the the Court Court of of the the Lions Lions since since both both town town and and landmark landmark passed passed into into ChristianChristian hands hands in in 1492 1492 [7]. [7]. In In documents documents from from