Journal of Researches in Islamic Architecture

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Mosque as a social worship center for continued dynamic life requires strong communication with the context achieved through the physical and natural human connection to the external environment. Appropriate communication between the building and the context of its formation is the most important thing in architecture .The role of between spaces in creating or making connection and detachment is important mentally and objectively to determine the quality of this relationship. Depending on the scale of the elements the quality of between spaces and their nature also varies in different conditions .The between spaces that make the connection between mosque and the outside environment various from functional structural and semantic in terms of historical development location and urban communication and it can be examined in terms of Islamic wisdom. Scale also plays an important role in these studies that can be from the macro scale (relationship of mosque with city) Midscale (the relationship between elements and spaces) and micro scale (elements of mosque) will vary.
This project examines the quality of between spaces and external environment at midscale and space that visitors to the mosque experience when they are crossing the street and entering the mosque. Analyzing this link to the entrance of the mosque is restricted from the outside to entrance of seraglio. It is assumed that the outward path is in the preparation of the prayer that has an important role to get a sense of spirit of approaching the mosque. Depending on the design, sometimes this rout is formed indoors and sometimes outdoor and semi outdoor. The main question is that how functional and semantic features represent this path in modern or traditional structures. How this relationship can be explained in terms of its functional structure and its effect on the implicit meaning. The characterization of between spaces is intended as a functional tool to create the desired link between mosque and outer urban environment. Thus, the purpose of the research is to explain this relationship to improve the status of existing mosques and to improve design of future mosques. The research method is logical reasoning. It is analyzed the feature of between spaces passing through the inside of mosque from three dimensions  structural functional and semantic in twelve specimen that selected from mosque in regional mosques in Tehran in a range from traditional to modern is analyzed. After examining the structural and functional features of graft inside and outside of the mosque its implications are analyzed and they are using the semantic differentiation technique .The method of semantic differentiation for expressing someone s feelings about space and it is used with bipolar adjectives .These traits were selected according to the purpose of study to express the meanings associated with outer space of the mosque to the entrance to seraglio. Research model that developed by introducing key elements  emphasize on balancing functional and semantic structural dimensions in the formation of outside and inside the mosque .By examining the semantic differentiation graph that is divided in two group of mosques  that have modern and traditional design , It can be said that the entrance space in modern mosques by enhancing traits such as  cheer excitement and self-esteem  rather than creating spiritual and practical communication  between the inside and outside  only exemplifies a stronger physical appearance .
The findings show that in the design of most contemporary mosques instead of updating the spiritual foundations that embedded in traditional patterns, the social worship function of the mosque has been reduced to the function of day. These results in the order and hierarchy of the spatial layers that bonded outside and inside the mosque. Traditional patterns are more successful in most aspects than modern ones. Most contemporary mosques rather than being a focal point for responding to people ,s  spiritual needs  are likely more at the service of side functions such as formal ceremonies .In this regard sometimes the entrance to separate halls for ceremonies is more important than hierarchy of entry and approach to spiritual function of the mosques worship. In other words in different social platforms of design innovation should not be undermine functional structural principles and implications of entering the worship space of the mosque. Rather they must have a deep and accurate understanding of meaning and concept and perform functions tailored to the needs of day in hierarchy of functions .In new structures the formation of between spaces and inside the mosque can be balanced by design arrangement .These layers of space begin from outer space and counter of the mosque and by passing through the entrance space with appropriate elements reach to the entrance layer of seraglio. Thus with respect to the spatial concepts appropriate to the spatial layers, there is a possibility of diversity   and innovation in designing the entrance to the mosque. It should be done by using green and flooring areas in harmony with the spiritual uses of the mosque and it should provide the perfect backdrop for pauses and movement in everyday   use and various events. Although in modernizing marginal functions or elements that combine with mosques .The main function should not be affected but the existence of consonant functions reinforces the role of mosque s as a center of social cultural activity. Thus new designs can follow the evolution of time and can be on the path to excellence and evolution of meaning embedded in rich architecture of Iranian mosques.

Keywords: mosque, external and internal (inside and outside) link between spaces, hierarchy

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