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Pour Ahmadi M. A Model for Classifying the Architectural Formal Approaches of Contemporary Mosques in Terms of Their Relationship with the Historical Traditions of Mosque Design. CIAUJ 2022; 7 (2) :125-145
URL: http://ciauj-tabriziau.ir/article-1-363-en.html

The present study examines the relationship between the architecture of contemporary mosques and the historical traditions of mosque architecture and tries to formulate a special classification for the types of this relationship. At the beginning of this paper, some weaknesses of the existing categorization models for the general approaches of the architectural design of contemporary mosques are explained. Since in the existing classifications, the whole mosque is viewed as a single entity, the resultant classifications become ambiguous in many cases. For example, when a particular mosque is introduced as an example of the modern approach, it is possible that in the same mosque there are certain physical elements with a completely traditionalist approach, and vice versa, in mosques that are introduced as examples of traditionalist mosques, it is possible that certain elements and components of the mosque are designed in a modern way. Due to the generality and vagueness of the mentioned categories, it becomes difficult to explain issues such as the impact of the desired approach on qualities such as "recognizability" and "newness" of the mosque design from the audience's point of view. Another problem is that these categories generally do not have the ability to explain the homogeneity or heterogeneity of style in the design of the mosques in question, and usually when a term is used to describe a mosque, it is not yet clear whether the design of the mosque in question is original or eclectic. In this study, after an analytical review of the relevant scientific literature, four approaches to the historical traditions of mosque architecture are identified. Based on his expertise and professional views and the specific conditions of the project, an architect approaching the design problem of a contemporary mosque and in the face of the design of any of the main physical elements of the mosque can follow any of the traditions of mosque design (Imitation approach); the architect can somehow reconcile any of the historical traditions of mosque design with contemporary architecture and offer new interpretations of them (conservative approach); he/she can challenge some architectural traditions of mosque design (challenging approach); or one can wholly avoid these traditions and break from them (abandonment approach). In the present study, two modes are considered for each of the two conservative and challenging approaches: One is the case where the relevant approach is followed more intensely and the other is the case where the desired approach is followed with less intensity. In the present paper, each of these approaches is assigned a specific digit from zero to five. According to the specific field of the present study, which is dedicated to the exterior view of the mosques, for every mosque three main elements are examined consisting of the dome, minaret and other exterior surfaces. By assigning a digit to each of these three elements of the mosque according to its specific approach, a three-digit code is produced for each mosque. The code assigned to the examples of contemporary mosques can be a reliable indicator for explaining the physical characteristics of the mosque in question, explaining whether the mosque is recognizable or ambiguous from the point of view of the audience, whether the mosque design displays a homogeneous or eclectic style, and whether it is innovative or imitative. Next, the application of the proposed model to twelve examples of contemporary mosques, both in Iran and in the world, is described. In the present study, in describing the functions and properties of each of the afore-mentioned approaches, it is stated what issues and aspects are emphasized in each approach. Finally, it is stated that these four approaches are a set of possibilities that contemporary architects are equipped with in the face of the open problem of the contemporary mosque design and none of these approaches are inherently right or wrong, but it is important that they are used properly and appropriately. What is important is to face the design problem responsibly and self-consciously. If the architect decides to imitate some of the past traditions of mosque architecture, his decision must be based on awareness and wisdom, and if he decides to abandon some historical traditions, his decision must be a responsible and wise decision too.