Mosque Architecture in Iran

Mosque architecture of the greater Iran exemplifies Persian architectural features while adopting Islamic religious philosophy. Iran was amongst the first nations to adopt Islam as its state religion, and this directly influences the formation of standard mosque architecture. This page describes some helpful resources that touch upon architectural features, designs, philosophies, and developments pertaining to the geography, culture, politics, and resources of the Iranian region.

This article presents an unconventional approach to the construction of Iranian-Islamic mosques in the modern context. The first part of the article discusses the original failed attempt to create a mosque that portrays the dominance of religion on art, politics, and culture. Then it emphasizes the accomplishment of Valiasr in setting a new tone for Islamic mosque architecture as well as presenting new typology for mosques in Iran. This includes a change in perception of the vertical authoritarian in mosques to the peace and equality proposed by a horizontal form. This also includes the deconstruction of prior architectural mosque requirements such as the lack of a dome and minaret. Alsammarae emphasizes the importance of the cultural surroundings and public opinion on the success of the building and the success of the new architectural form given to this mosque.

https://www.middleeastarchitect.com/42203-fluid-motion-architects-designs-controversial-mosque-in-tehran-that-challenges-traditional-islamic-design

This source provides the audience with a short overview of the Farahabad Mosque and a video panning the complex. It provides detailed visuals of the mosque architectural features and layout.

https://iranpress.com/content/18768

This source is a public lecture given by Richard Henry at the Middle East Association on April 27th of 2007. This source provides a mathematical understanding of geometric patterns as well as presents a spiritual understanding due to its use in religious art. It begins with an overview of information regarding the author and his experience in Iran then progresses towards an explanation of the spiritual implications of geometric design in reference to architectural spaces. The source emphasizes orientation, symmetry, and proportion as fundamental elements of construction and tile mosaics that decorate the interior space. The author elaborates on the differences in proportional ratios in different regions through the comparison of the ratios employed in specific mosques. The source suggests that the complex geometric schema that adorns the interior of the mosque architecture guides the viewer to the subtle harmonies of the natural world and cosmos.

https://artofislamicpattern.com/resources/iranian-art/

This study focuses on examining the importance, meaning, and function of the sahn, or central courtyard, in various mosque architecture. It uses library and field studies in order to analyze the relationship between the sahn’s function and implications in a variety of Iranian mosques. This work is divided into ten sections: Introduction, Methodology, Historical Background, Geometry, sahn Architecture, The sahn as an Urban Space, Mosque Courtyard Beyond Climate, Nature in the sahn, and Conclusion. The introduction establishes the central courtyard as a significant factor in traditional Iranian mosque architecture and touches upon how its function has evolved over time. The Historical Background section explains the establishment of the Iranian four-part iwan design and how it pertains to the concept of open space connecting interior and exterior aspects of the mosque. The Geometry sections delves into the standardization of ratio between external and internal spaces in regards to the sahn dimensions. The sahn Architecture section provides plans for the most “perfect” form of Iranian mosques and highlights the importance of the sahn on the community as it pertains to structure. The sahn as an Urban Spaces emphasizes the social role of the central courtyard as the only public space in the city. The Mosque Courtyard Beyond Climate section explains how environmental factors influence the formation of central courtyard mosques through varying climates and geographical accessibilities. The Nature in the sahn relates the architectural feature to concepts from the Islamic religion as well as Iranian historical background. The Conclusion establishes the effects of the omission of the sahn on quality, spatial hierarchy, and mosque architecture of Iran.

This article is published under Architecture Research and is written by Negar Kolahi Mohammad Jooshesh, an undergraduate student at Islamic Azad University in Mashhad, Iran. The function of the article is to discuss the implications of pre-Islamic Iranian architecture, provide examples of the transitions of mosque architecture through time and dynasty, and comment on the specific meanings and implications of elements of design. This article into five sections: Introduction, Aesthetic Elements of Islamic Architecture in Iran, Results, Discussion, and Conclusions. The introduction provides the reader with the features associated with Pre-Islamic Iranian indigenous culture and post-Islamic Iranian culture as well as principles of Iranian Islamic mosque architecture. The second part of the article describes the aesthetical elements as well as their meaning and function in regard to the inner and external spaces of the mosque. The third section compares the architecture of three mosques from three separate reigns pertaining to their different styles of architecture. The fourth section functions as a summary of what each mosque architecture includes that differentiates it from the others. In the fifth section, the author concludes the aim of each mosque is identical yet achieved through different architectural style techniques.

http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.arch.20120206.02.html

This journal focuses on mosque architecture of the Timurid period in relation to the design, construction, and decoration of three distinct regions. Iran is divided into four regions, each with distinct climate, environmental, and geographical features that influence the architectural design and style of their mosques. The aim of this research is to pave the way for research pertaining to Iranian architectural art and provide background information for future studies. It first introduces the concept that Islamic architecture of Iran results from the natural progression of architecture through different periods. The second part of the journal is split into multiple sections including historical evolution of the Timurid period, the role of mosques in Timurid architecture, stylistic features of the Timurid period, physical features of architectural elements and decorations of the Timurid period, and geographic factors and implications of continental schemes. The third part of the journal is divided into three case studies each with three stemming sections focusing on architectural features, vaults and domes, and building techniques and decoration. The fourth part provides an analysis of the impact of the continent on design and formation of physical elements of the mosques. This journal exemplifies the prominent role of weather factors in the structure of cities and composition of architectural styles and features of the mosque.

http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/mas/article/view/56933

This case study focuses on the influence of Iranian history in decoration and architecture of the mosque. The mosque is understood as the first example of Islamic art yet is based on previously established motifs and patterns of pre-Islamic Iran. The study traces architectural style, features, and design to the Sassanid empire as the origin of decorative motifs used in mosques. The work breaks down into quick overviews of the pre-Islamic periods which includes Pre-Achaemenid, Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanid periods. It walks the reader through the progression of decorative features throughout pre-Islamic, Islamic, and post-Islamic periods. Each section details significant features of decoration and architecture which contributes to the continuously evolving standard decor of mosques.The evidence of Sassanid art on mosque decoration and composition shows the influence of Iranian culture on Islamic motifs and architectural decoration through slight changes and developments of each historic period.

This study focuses on the philosophy of mosque architecture as it pertains to Iranian architecture. This source investigates the internal and external aspects of Iranian architectural wisdoms through the defining of Islamic architecture. It is important to understand Iran as the first nation to absorb Islam into their culture thus the Iranian approach to the Islamic architecture functions as a model of the origin of Islamic art. The architecture of the mosque embodies Islamic art and was directly influenced by Iranian geography, culture, and philosophy. Islamic architecture thus is only definable in the light of Iranian style. Iranian mosques are the base for the formation of Islamic art due to the interaction between spirituality and philosophy of architectural features and compositions. The most relevant sections of the ten in the article include: Characteristics of Iranian architecture in Islamic era, Iranian pure architecture and wisdom, Wisdom in the architecture of mosques as the GOD’s houses, The dome a gift from Iranian architecture to Islam and The philosophy of veil in Iranian architecture. Iranian culture and philosophy directly affected the formation of Islamic art and mosque architecture especially.

http://www.cwejournal.org/vol10noSpecial/philosophy-and-wisdom-in-islamic-iranian-architecture-with-respect-to-external-veil-in-architecture/

This study aims to show the characteristics of architecture and decorations in Iran for mosques as it progressive through different periods. The study focuses on the progression of architectural decor internally and externally throughout Iranian mosques as it relates to calligraphy. It uses library and field studies to provide examples of mosques from each period that mark the gradual progression of mosque design in Iran. The study reviews mosques in separate historical periods, architectural features and decorative art from pre-Islamic times to the present day. This progression happens over the span of six dynastic periods and includes the transition from pre-Islamic to modern Islamic Iran. The study is broken down into eleven sections beginning with an introduction to Iranian, and later Islamic Iranian, art and architecture. Each section provides examples of mosques pertaining to each period and exemplifies the differences in architectural features and designs as it relates to dynastic style and religious influences of the period. It concludes with an overview of the development of Iranian art and architecture as it reflects the physical and spiritual needs of the people as well as the political power through its calligraphy.

This article provides a renovation concept for the Qods Mosque that exemplifies a modern take on Iranian mosque architecture in Tehran. This article focuses on the creation of an urban facade, modern minaret, and logistics of construction. This functions as a conceptual example of a modern Iranian mosque.

https://aasarchitecture.com/2016/05/qods-mosque-renovation-arash-g-tehrani.html/

This source provides a brief overview of common types of mosque architecture. These forms are listed as hypostyle, four-iwan, and central planned mosques. The second form discussed in this source, four-iwan mosque structure, was developed in pre-Islamic Iran. The iwan structure originated from this era for monumental and imperial architecture associated with Persian architecture. It was incorporated into mosque architecture in the 11th century and by the 12th century it had widespread use.

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-islam/beginners-guide-islamic-world-art/beginners-guide-islamic-art/a/common-types-of-mosque-architecture