The Ottoman mosque
Sinan’s variations on the domed baldachin: central dome on four or two semidomes, or on an octagon or hexagon of piers, with a forecourt and pencil minarets.
The rules it illustrates
One dome, extended by semidomes. Cover the prayer hall with a single central dome on four piers and extend the unified space by semidomes on two or all four sides, with smaller half-domes (exedrae) in their corners.
The dome on eight piers. To make the domed space as nearly one room as possible, set the dome on eight piers inscribed in a square, and fill the four corners with semidomes on the diagonals.
The cascade of domes. Let the exterior show the structure: pile semidomes, exedrae, corner domes and weight towers round the central dome so that the masses rise in steps to the crown.
Minarets mark rank. Give an ordinary mosque one minaret with one balcony; reserve several minarets, and several balconies (şerefe) on each, for the foundations of the sultan and his family.
Where it appears in the book
In the styles Ottoman.
In the chapters The Islamic World.