The Saminid Mausoleum is a masterpiece of 10th century Islamic architecture and marks a significant period of development in Central Asian architecture.

The mausoleum is a slightly tapered cube, 10.6 by 10.6 metres, topped with an inset hemispherical dome. Each façade is identical, comprising an arcaded gallery, portals, and engaged corner columns. The building finds its inspiration from the earlier Sogdian and Sassanian structures while the Islamic geometry, squinch and domed hall design were to influence future buildings.

Elaborate brick decoration is on every surface but the dome. Tripled or quadrupled stretchers alternate with smaller bricks in vertical bonds, while curved shapes increase the range of decoration, bordered by thick borders of plain bricks. The interplay of brickwork and shadow creates the spectacular effect of lightness, the whole seeming like a delicately woven basket.