Journal of Researches in Islamic Architecture

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Many scholars believe that social modernity in Iran has been started far earlier than era of Reza Shah Pahlavi with its up-down modernization project and it is argued that there has been an innate social process of modernity gradually developed since Qajar period. So it can be questioned that which one of the two cultural models of Modernity and Tradition has been dominating Qajar artifacts and if there were any clear footsteps of cultural patterns of modernity in spaces of everyday life of ordinary people of that time. Here, this question is inquired from the viewpoint of guest’s spatiality of home. Beginning from this question then domestic examples from first period of introducing of modernity to Iran (since Qajar to starting years of Pahlavi Dynasty) with emphasize on cases of city of Tabriz are studied concentrating on effects of the two cultures of Tradition and Modernity on spatial patterns of hospitality within these houses. The hypothesis of productive effect of dialectic of “self-other” on domestic spaces of modern era is put into critical debate. Three basic patterns of domestic spaces (minimal house, maximal one and collective house) are analyzed from viewpoint of spatial-cultural relations. Each of these three patterns has its special theoretical debate in western discourse of early modernity. For each pattern two example of Qajar houses of Tabriz are selected for analyzing of guest space: Amir-Nezam house and Behnam House are considered as maximalist type, Alavi House and Sehhati house as minimal examples and Rastgar house as semi-community house. So the research method is historical-interpretive based on historical texts, assessments and pictures as well as buildings. The maximal pattern is bourgeois’ that is manifested in Victorian examples. In this pattern all spaces are arranged upon a theatrical scene in which actors are homeowners and audiences are guests. This theatrical model as Goffman argued has been extended to contemporary western house. Introduction of large variety of rooms for various presences of guests can be interpreted as a byproduct of this culture. In comparison, in its Iranian counterpart there is no considerable social distance between the host and the guest in spatial order of a conventional party. Such a view has resulted in unifying of guest receiving space and living space which is placed at the central axis of house. This axial position is a socio-cultural characteristic of guest’s spatiality which is not restricted to maximalist ones. Any separation among people during guest presence would be upon vast family divisions which has no relation to guests. Heavy interior decoration of bourgeois’ internal design is eliminated in many houses of rich men of Qajar as our study shows. Two minimalist patterns of early modernity are arguable: dirty houses of Industrial revolution and what has been called “the minimum dwelling” by modernists. The latter is a product of modernists’ social project which was based on reducing home-living in the favor of social presence. It was an essential step to deny private sphere. The guest’s spatiality here was seen as being with others in out-of-home places. So restaurant and saloons occupied the place of parlors. Searching for Iranian transformation like that model has reverse result. We have shown here that in Qajar small houses of Tabriz, there were no conceptual difference in comparison with maximalist houses while historical documents show no sign of development of out-of-home places for guests. The third pattern is the community houses that were seen as utopias of the project of modernity. From the view point of guests’ spatiality, this pattern is movement towards denying any distance between self and other so the stranger becomes host as well as guest. In utopist text of William Morris (News from Nowhere) such a position is articulated. It has been argued by many writers of western culture that it has been common pattern of medieval society that has been destroyed by bourgeois’ culture. If the utopia were to be realized then strangers should be accepted in common spaces without any exception and if the socialist utopia was going on then maximizing use of common facilities would be seen as an instrument to saving the community so any private guest should make use of common ones instead of host’s ones (the example of socialist Russia housing projects). Khanghah of Daravish in the Islamic word pursues such a pattern with the exception of absence of family i.e. these places where completely masculine spaces. So these could not be extended to dwelling patterns of traditional Iran. In Tabriz of Qajar there were no similar examples to multifamily apartments of socialists’ utopias of early 20th century as well as utopian community ones. The only close examples to utopian patterns of modern guests’ spatiality in Tabriz are rare hotels of late Qajar and a house (Rastgar) with a linear and multi-unit plan that cannot be undoubtedly a Qajar house. It is could be said that social analysis of guests’ spatiality of modernity is heavily based on resolving of dialectic of otherness in western society of 19 century. This study shows that real patterns of modernity for guest’s spatiality at home differs greatly from its counterparts of Qajar Iran and those of Qajar could be interpreted far more persuasively with traditional patterns than those of modernity. So now it is possible to put some query on the hypothesis that tells if there was not obligatory modernization project of Rezashah then there would be an innate Iranian Modernity. Full openness toward strangers embedded at the center of utopian views of intellectuals of modernity and has been at the focal point of modern utopias has no essential meaning in domestic culture of Qajar era of Iran because acceptance of guest as a member of family was so deep in cultural-spatial patterns of those people that modern utopian perspective of fading “otherness” in spatial arrangement of hospitality of home has no new message for that people. So it is conceivable that the theory of innate cultural permutation of Islamic and traditional lifestyle of Iranians without Rezashah’s projects cannot be easily confirmed for social history of Iran.

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Natural light has been an important element in Iranian architecture and shaping the interior spaces of monuments. During different historical periods, the presence of light in various Architectural works, In addition to the functional aspect, has always been under focus from spiritual religious aspects. The incentive to turn to the light during worshiping God has existed in different religions and still exists. Daylight had have a special place and value in Islam and the Islamic worldview. With the emerge of Islam, usage and application of light in architecture increased especially in mosques as the most important monuments of Islamic architecture In mosques, daylight in addition to functional aspect is considered as a mystical symbol and a sign of God's presence that raises the human sense of reverence and humility in front of God. To this end, for centuries, Iranian architectures have been trying to use traditional architectural elements and daylighting solutions to better deploy the natural light in their designs. This study attempts to investigate and evaluate the application of light-catching elements in Iranian mosques, particularly in mosques and mosque–schools from Qajar period. We use a descriptive and analytical research method and our study is mainly on the basis of resources and the literature available in Iranian libraries. After describing the theoretical foundations of our research, we analyze a number of common light-catching elements in selected mosques. Although a multitude number of studies have been done on the concepts of light and its role and function in the traditional architectural monuments, particularly mosques and homes, little study has been done on light-catching elements in mosques of a specific period as done in this research. Structural elements which have been used in Iranian traditional architecture for utilizing daylight are studied from two directions. In the first direction, light-catching elements often have the task of transmitting light into the interior space. In the second direction, light controlling elements adjust the entered light into the building (similar to canopies). The subject of this research is in line with the first direction. We only study light-catching elements and we chose among them common elements such as door and window, Shabak, Horno, Rozan and Roshandan. Although these elements are different in term of material, type and location of application in the building, all of them are used for light-catching even though some of them have also ventilation application. We chose 10 mosques and mosque-schools of Qajar period in Tehran. The examined mosques and mosque-schools in this research were selected based on the following criteria: first, all the selected mosques and mosque-schools are located in old and valuable region of the city and they are tourists attraction. They have architectural values and are well-known among people and experts. Secondly, the building of selected samples reflect prominent features of Qajar’s architecture. Also the sufficient information (including maps and images) are available for these monuments. We chose 5 mosques and 5 mosque-schools among Qajar’s architectural works. Then, the usage and the application rate of light-catching elements in these buildings are evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively by the use of maps and the available visual data. Quantitative analysis is based on the approximate numbers of elements used in these mosques which have been extracted from the available images and maps. To qualitatively evaluate the application rate of various methods of light-catching in these mosques, we specify four levels of usage: "insignificant","low","medium" and "high". We provide the results of quantitative as well as qualitative analysis in this paper. Our analytical studies indicate that although door and window, Shabak, Horno, Rozan and Roshandan had been considered as innovative lighting elements inside mosques of Qajar period, architectures of this period still mainly utilized door and windows as the main lighting elements. Next to doors and windows, Rozan stands at the second place, Horno in the third place, and then Shabak and Roshandan. The utilization rate of doors and windows among considered mosques and mosque–schools has been similar. Nevertheless, the usage of Horno as a lighting element in mosques has been more than mosque–schools, Rozan and Shabak have been used more in mosque –schools rather than mosques. Roshandan has been barely used in the mosque-schools, and only few samples could be found within some mosques of this period.

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Today, there are a few dozens of historical index houses in the city Sabzevar. Reviews show that up until now, despite the presence of their special characteristics, variety and role, there have not been comprehensive studies about them but through the presence of valuable samples from various historical periods (Teymouri, Safavid, Qajar, Pahlavi), their exposure to destruction through changing the method of living, multiplicity of owners, migration and generally loss of attractions for today's life, reviewing these houses is necessary. Since most of the historical houses in Sabzevar are from the Qajar period, the purpose of this article is to read and recognize Qajari houses. The used research method is combined and the results obtained from the study show that Sabzevar's houses, with architectural specifications such as semi-hot and arid climate, have mostly been made as introvert houses and they can be divided to three types of the first, second and third period based on the features of architectural space, structure and decorations. Discussion of architectural typology has been proposed in some of the European countries since the late 11^th century. At first, this topic was treated in a very clichéd way and they reviewed categorization of buildings based on a mutual feature. Another one of methods of categorization at this time was dividing the buildings with mutual feature of their map. This method has many advantages, but unfortunately, by being drawn in one way of thinking, being caught up in a deterministic framework and linking historical process with deterministic materialistic views, they came to conclusion and the result of it is predetermined by considering the mentioned framework whereas in a study, in addition to the overall review, the results shall be obtained after the study and research.

Accurate identification and classification of various architectural types can be useful in understanding the space better, protecting it and also in achieving new methods of designing.

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Applying wind energy in Sistan region has been taken into consideration during different historical periods, especially during Qajar period. Varmal castle settlement which is located in Varmal village-environs of Hamoun County-is a Qajar period structure that has used wind power for various applications that resulted in a unique design and architecture. Applying wind power wisely for cooling, natural air conditioning, windmills and other related purposes are among the most important distinguishing features of the design and architecture of the central part of this castle.

The central part of Varmal castle settlement has an irregular plan. Because of the castle’s historical importance and the castle settlement of Varmal, various historical sources have described it. Varmal castle settlement is one of the main Qajar period castles in Sistan area that, in terms of general structure, has been made of three parts including the central part which is the main part of the castle. The wind energy has been used well in this part, and adapting the architecture with the wind is applied on this part. The second part of the castle is located to the north and northwest of the castle and includes a number of buildings with various applications. It has two yards that, regarding the separate space of one of the yards and the architecture of its surrounding appears to be used for particular ceremonies. The third part is located to the south and southwest of the castle and includes buildings and yards. Regarding the good condition of the structures, it seems to be made more recently than other parts.

Based on precious experiences of Sistani people about using the wind energy, undoubtedly there are buildings in the ancient architecture of the region that, as an experienced model, can be combined with modern technology to provide progress in the application of ancient findings. The Wind of 120 Days, the Qous wind, the seventh or the bull-killer wind and Panjak wind are the most important winds of Sistan region among which the Wind of 120 Days is the most famous and the dominant wind which blows from early June to late September (4 months, about 120 days).

Considering “The Wind of 120 Days” in Sistan region that blows with various speeds, the main question of the present research was to match the architecture of this castle with this wind. Therefore, the research question was: how is the design and structure of the central part of Varmal castle settlement matched with the speed and pressure of “The Wind of 120 Days” in Sistan to benefit from various applications of wind energy?

Today, various tools have been applied for simulating scientific plans in different sciences that are quite profiting. One such technique is simulation with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) that has provided researchers with many capabilities.

Global experiences indicate that, during recent decade conducting CFD scientific-computational activities in ancient sites have increased due to the progress of software and hardware systems. Such research in archeology is still in its early stages in Iran. Thus, the aim of the present research was to investigate the status of the design and architecture of the central part of Varmal castle settlement with the direction, speed and pressure of Sistan’s Wind of 120 Days, using CFD simulation methods. This research has adopted a descriptive-analytical methodology based on documents and library resources and field studies. In order to be matched with Qajar period, 52-year meteorological data were collected, and available architectural data of the years 2014 and 2015 were also gathered. The architecture mass was designed using Revit software, and UrbaWind-Meteodyn software was used for preparation. Using Ansys Fluent software, CFD was run for simulation in the buildings of the central part of Varmal castle settlements. The results of simulation outputs with various speeds and pressures (3, 6 and 15 m/s) and maximum 120 km/h from the earth’s surface up to 2 times the altitude in the above castle show that: the design and architecture of central part of Varmal castle settlement matches well with the speed and pressure of “The Wind of 120 Day” toward north and northwest in such a way that as a natural air conditioner, the central yard’s space causes tangible reduction in the speed and pressure of the wind in internal spaces, and principled design which suited the climate and architectural schemes during Qajar period has prevented from damage to the architecture of the central part of Varmal castle settlement when the wind blew with high speed.

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Since man has been engaged in architecture, he has paid attention to the spiritual , inner needs and aesthetics sense too. Today, in architecture, aesthetics is limited to formal secondary factors due to lack of the systematic and applied explanation, while this concept has a more definition and is closely related to structure, details of construction, audience and environment. Iranian architecture that has manifested aesthetics over many years age, has been a rich source for adapting the principles of aesthetics in architecture. Quantitative and qualitative foundations in traditional architecture, which are related to the aesthetics and visual principles set on structure and proportions, lead to aesthetics appearance. Accordingly This research tries to answer the question: how are aesthetics principles engaged in Iranian architecture in order to utilizing them in contemporary architecture.
The analysis of the houses was carried out in Mashhad because of its historical background, which was a rich source of architectural works. In this research, current findings of different schools and philosophers viewpoints about aesthetics were collected next analyzed and Interpreted with content analysis method which they formed the criteria of analysis. Using the documentations, 10 types of Mashhad historical houses were analyzed with aesthetics factors, all of them were belonged to Qajar period. In this analysis, according to architectural changes affected from historical conditions (Qajar period), the spatial & structural principles of the houses belonged to the first period and the beginning of the second period were conformed with aesthetics criteria. While the houses belonged to second Qajar period, they included elements as sloping roofs, and issues like: having less application of the symmetry and proportionality in the plan & façade, and more extravagance, which is a conception of Western architecture and doesn’t fit to regional culture and climate.
 

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Observance of moderation is one of the characteristics of Godchr('39')s creation. If a person claims to be the caliph of God, he should be characterized by divine attributes to the best of his ability, and human constructions, of which architecture is a part, should have this characteristic. In this study, to answer the question of how the relationship between moderation in the architecture of mosques by creating a sense of the presence of the heart in this space, by descriptive-analytical method, in the first step, the concept of Islam of moderation was introduced and intimacy was introduced as a criterion of moderation. How to attain the position of nearness to God was examined. In the next step, by examining the presence of the heart as one of the factors of proximity, a semi-structured interview in this regard, around the three systems that make up the place, namely the physical-spatial system, collective-behavioral system and perceptual-perceptual system, in three selected mosques Mosques of Tehran Bazaar area (Sepahsalar Mosque, Imam Mosque and Tehran Grand Bazaar Mosque). all three mosques had relatively the same conditions in terms of age, location, physical characteristics and community of clients. Then, by analyzing the content of the interviews, a questionnaire was developed for the reliability of the research from the extracted categories and tested in the wider statistical community in the mentioned mosques. Finally, the questionnaires were examined by SPSS 26 software and LISREL and a combination of two-sample T-test and confirmatory factor analysis. The results show that the environment of these mosques, in general, has a favorable effect on the presence of the heart in people, and in the meantime, Physical-spatial characteristics in the environment of the tested mosques, among all environmental systems, have the least positive effect on creating a sense of presence of the heart; The collective-behavioral characteristics are in the second place in this respect and the perceptual-receiving characteristics of the mosques under study have the most positive effect on the presence of heart in individuals. and accordingly, any of the environmental systems can be approached Imagined in moderation. Regarding each of the measures of the structure of environmental systems, the "elements in the space of mosques" under study can be considered as the most effective measure of the physical-spatial system in creating a sense of the presence of the heart; "How people act and how they relate to each other" in the mosques under study is the most effective measure of collective-behavioral system in creating the presence of the heart and "sense of belonging due to familiarity with the building blocks" is the most effective measure of perceptual system The heart is examined in the space of mosques.

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