مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رسانی علوم و فناوری مطالعات شهر ایرانی-اسلامی 2228-639X 16 59 2025 12 27 Comparative Study of the Role of Porticos in the Spatial Organization of Imam Mosque in Isfahan and Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul Using Spatial Syntax Technique مطالعۀ تطبیقی جایگاه رواق در سازمان فضایی مسجد امام اصفهان و مسجد سلطان احمد استانبول به کمک تکنیک نحو فضا 1 27 fa یاسمن غلامی دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی محسن كاملي دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد ساوه 2025 1 21 Comparative Study of the Role of Porticos in the Spatial Organization of Imam Mosque in Isfahan and Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul Using Spatial Syntax Technique   Yasaman Gholami<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">*</a> Mohsen Kameli<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">**</a>   Mosques have become the primary function in all the realms where Islam has emerged. They serve as a common structure for similar functions, yet they exist in diverse territories. The neighboring and contemporary empires of the Ottoman and Safavid were two influential cultures in Islamic architecture, where common spatial units are observed in their mosques. The primary aim of this article is to elucidate the similarities and differences in the role of the portico as a semi-open and shared spatial unit in the spatial organization of Imam Mosque in Isfahan and Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul. This study employs a mixed-method approach (quantitative and qualitative) to achieve this objective. In the first step, a quantitative approach was adopted to delineate the position of the portico in the spatial organization of the selected mosques using spatial syntax techniques and through quantitative components. In the second step, a qualitative method with logical reasoning strategies was employed to compare the extracted quantities in a comparative analysis and derive the research outcomes. The findings indicate that in the spatial organization of Sultan Ahmed Mosque, porticos function as public and communicative spaces, maintaining a strong relationship with their surrounding environments. They tend to integrate with the overall spatial organization and serve as connecting and intermediary spaces among various sections of the mosque. Conversely, in the spatial organization of Imam Mosque, porticos are characterized as private and static spaces, lacking a strong connection with their surrounding areas and showing a tendency to detach from different parts of the mosque. Additionally, they do not exist in the communication paths between the various sections of the mosque and are not considered intermediary spaces. Therefore, a deeper understanding of porticos as semi-open spaces and their role in the spatial organization of Imam Mosque in Isfahan and Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul is essential. According to the findings of this article, despite the similar physical attributes of the porticos in both mosques, their roles, functions, and the quality of their connections with different sections of the mosque are significantly different.   Keywords: Islamic period architecture, portico, spatial organization, Imam Mosque, Sultan Ahmed Mosque.   Common Aspects: <ol style="text-align: left;"> <li>Characterized by short depth indices and a close relationship with the mosque entrance.</li> <li>Display low average depth indices and easy accessibility from various parts of the mosque due to the adjacency of the porticos to the courtyard.</li> </ol> Differentiating Aspects: <ol style="text-align: left;"> <li>High integration and choice quantity in Sultan Ahmed Mosque, functioning as public and communicative spaces, effective in unifying the overall spatial organization of the mosque.</li> <li>Low integration and choice quantity in Imam Mosque, functioning as private and static spaces with a tendency to detach from the overall spatial organization. Therefore, the functional nature of porticos in Imam Mosque is significantly limited and independent, playing a minimal role in the activities of other spaces within the mosque, including the primary areas such as the dome rooms and prayer halls, and they have a subdued presence in the overall spatial organization of the mosque.</li> </ol> In conclusion, the findings of this article suggest that Islamic architecture, despite physical similarities and shared elements across different territories, manifests clear differences. These differences, particularly in the utilization of similarly structured spaces, are notably observable.   Introduction Comparative study of architecture in various Islamic lands, particularly in mosques, is of utmost importance. The Ottoman and Safavid empires stand out as two unique paradigms of influential architectural and cultural significance in the early modern Islamic world (Casale, 2023: 230). The position of these two empires in Islamic architecture, along with their geographical proximity and contemporaneous existence, creates a suitable context for the comparative study of Islamic architecture. The use of similar spatial units in the mosques of the Ottoman and Safavid empires calls for an examination of the role of each of these units in the spatial organization of the mosques. The comparative study of these spaces is essential for analyzing their commonalities and differences from two perspectives: firstly, to determine the significance of these shared spatial units in mosque architecture. Secondly, this comparative examination of common spaces in the architecture of various Islamic countries represents an important step toward forming a comprehensive understanding of Islamic architecture.   Objectives and Questions Objective: To elucidate the similarities and differences in the role of the portico as a semi-open and common spatial unit in the spatial organization of Imam Mosque in Isfahan and Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul. Question: Considering the presence of the portico as a semi-open spatial unit in both mosques, what similarities and differences exist in its role within the spatial organization of the selected mosques?   Methods The research methodology employed in this study is of a mixed-methods nature (both quantitative and qualitative). the research literature was examined through the study of written sources and visual documents to analyze different spaces and their interrelations. In the second step, spatial syntax techniques were utilized to analyze the position and spatial relationships of porticos with other spaces by constructing justification graphs. During this phase, quantitative data were extracted and compiled from the relevant software (Aghraph) to assess key parameters such as depth, average depth, control index, connectivity, and choice. Subsequently, by comparing the quantitative data from both mosques and aligning it with the plans and physical characteristics, the similarities and differences in the role of the portico within the spatial organization of the two mosques were identified.   Resuls Quantitative data regarding the spaces of each mosque and their alignment with plans and spatial characteristics reveal that in Imam Mosque, the porticos are relatively private spaces that tend to be segregated from the various sections of the mosque. This is also applicable to the surrounding and adjacent areas of the porticos, indicating a weak connection between the porticos and their surrounding buildings. According to the plan, the porticos are almost devoid of direct connections with any other semi-open or enclosed spaces. To access the porticos from any space, one must first enter the courtyard and then reach the porticos; the connected corridors to the vestibule are the only areas that have a direct connection with the porticos, evidencing a strong relationship with the entrance and being closer to the entrance compared to other main mosque spaces (such as iwans, prayer halls, and domed areas). On the other hand, the proximity of the porticos to the courtyard and access to it have resulted in a short pathway between the porticos and other spaces despite their private nature and weak connection to the surrounding buildings (as indicated by the mean depth index), with the courtyard serving as a mediating space between them. In contrast, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque porticos function as public spaces. The northern and southern porticos maintain a strong connection with their surrounding spaces, whereas this connection is weaker for the eastern and western porticos. The access pathways from different sections of the mosque to the northern, eastern, and western porticos are short, allowing easy access from various areas. This is due to the fact that these semi-open spaces are adjacent to the central courtyard, allowing for easy transition from the domed area and affiliated spaces to the porticos after entry into the courtyard. Moreover, the four porticos are interconnected, facilitating easy access among them.   Conclusion Islamic architecture across various regions, despite its structural similarities and use of common elements, exhibits notable differences. These differences are especially apparent in the utilization of spaces with similar forms. They are influenced not only by the unique architectural characteristics of each structure but also by the historical and cultural contexts of the Ottoman and Safavid empires. despite the similar physical features of the porticos in both mosques, their roles and functions within the spatial organization, as well as their interactions with various sections of the mosque, vary significantly. Commonalities: <ol style="text-align: left;"> <li>having a short depth index, indicating their proximity to the mosque's entrance, which facilitates the connection between the entrance and the courtyard.</li> <li>having a low average depth, ensuring easy accessibility from different areas of the mosque due to their adjacency to the courtyard.</li> </ol>   Differences: In the Ottoman mosque, the porticos function as public and connective spaces (high degree of integration). Their public nature arises from their strong connections to surrounding areas and various sections of the mosque, playing a crucial role in integrating the overall spatial organization. This means that the presence of porticos enhances continuity and cohesion among different sections of the mosque. These porticos not only serve as intermediaries between the courtyard and the mosque entrances but also act as pre-entrances for the dome area, facilitating movement between various points within mosque. Conversely, in the Imam Mosque, the porticos are recognized as private and static spaces (low degree of integration). Their privacy stems from the lack of strong connections with surrounding spaces and sections of the mosque, reflecting a tendency toward separation from the overall spatial organization. Thus, when considering the entire mosque within a unified spatial framework, the porticos do not significantly contribute to the continuity and cohesion among its various sections. Consequently, it can be concluded that the functional nature of the porticos in the Imam Mosque is highly limited and independent, lacking any role in the activities of other main areas and they cannot be classified as public spaces. The static nature of the porticos can be attributed to access to the courtyard being facilitated through the corners of these porticos. Compared to the porticos of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, this function as a pre-entrance to the courtyard is significantly diminished. Furthermore, the porticos in the Imam Mosque do not serve as entrances to any of the main spaces, like the dome hall, and they do not occupy positions within the access routes among different areas. 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Doi: 10.18860/jia.v6i3.10112     <a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">*</a> Corresponding Author: Ph.D Student, Department of Architecture, Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, Iran. yasamangho2@gmail.com ORCID: 0000-0002-3692-3435 <a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">**</a> Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, Iran. kameli@live.com ORCID: 0000-0001-9592-6882 مساجد به اصلی&zwnj;ترین کاربری در تمام قلمروهایی تبدیل شدند که اسلام در آنها ظهور کرد. بنایی مشترک برای کارکردهایی یکسان، اما در سرزمین&zwnj;هایی گوناگون. دو امپراتوریِ همسایه و هم&zwnj;زمان عثمانی و صفوی، دو فرهنگ تأثیرگذار بر معماری دورۀ اسلامی بودند که در مساجد آنها، واحدهای فضایی مشترکی دیده می&zwnj;شود. هدف اصلی این مقاله، تبیین شباهت و تفاوت نقش رواق به &zwnj;عنوان واحد فضایی نیمه&zwnj;باز و مشترک در سازمان&zwnj;دهی فضایی مسجد امام اصفهان و مسجد سلطان احمد استانبول است. این پژوهش برای دستیابی به هدف یادشده به روش ترکیبی (کمی و کیفی) انجام شده است. در گام نخست با رویکرد کمّی، جایگاه رواق در سازمان فضایی مساجد انتخابی به کمک تکنیک نحو فضا و در قالب مؤلفه&zwnj;های کمّی مشخص شد. در گام دوم با روش کیفی و راهبرد استدلال منطقی، کمیت&zwnj;های استخراج&zwnj;شده در بررسی تطبیقی با یکدیگر مقایسه و نتایج پژوهش استخراج شد. یافته&zwnj;های پژوهش نشان می&zwnj;دهد که در سازمان&zwnj;دهی فضایی مسجد سلطان احمد، رواق&zwnj;ها، فضاهای عمومی و ارتباطی هستند؛ زیرا با فضاهای پیرامونی خود ارتباطی قوی داشته، تمایل به یکپارچه شدن با کلیت سازمان فضایی دارند و از دیگر سو، در مسیرهای ارتباطی میان بخش&zwnj;های مختلف مسجد، حضور دارند و فضاهای واسط و ارتباطی محسوب می&zwnj;شوند. در سازمان&zwnj;دهی فضایی مسجد امام، رواق&zwnj;ها، فضاهایی خصوصی و ساکن هستند؛ زیرا فاقد ارتباط قوی با فضاهای پیرامونی و هم&zwnj;جوار خود بوده، نسبت به کلیت سازمان فضایی، تمایل به منفک شدن از بخش&zwnj;های مختلف مسجد دارند. از دیگر سو در مسیرهای ارتباطی میان بخش&zwnj;های مختلف مسجد حضور نداشته، فضاهای واسط محسوب نمی&zwnj;شوند. در نتیجه درک عمیق&zwnj;تری از رواق&zwnj;ها به &zwnj;عنوان فضاهای نیمه&zwnj;باز و جایگاه آنها در سازمان فضایی مساجد امام اصفهان و سلطان احمد استانبول، ضروری است؛ زیرا طبق یافته&zwnj;های مقاله، علی&zwnj;رغم ویژگی&zwnj;های کالبدی مشابه رواق&zwnj;ها در هر دو مسجد، نقش و کارکرد آنها در سازمان فضایی و کیفیت ارتباطشان با بخش&zwnj;های مختلف مسجد به صورت چشم&zwnj;گیری متفاوت است. وجوه اشتراک: ۱- دارای شاخص عمق کوتاه و ارتباط نزدیک با ورودی مسجد ۲- دارای شاخص عمق میانگین پایینی و دسترسی&zwnj;پذیری راحت از بخش&zwnj;های مختلف مسجد به علت همجواری رواق&zwnj;ها با حیاط. وجوه افتراق: ۱- کمیت یکپارچگی و انتخاب بالا در مسجد سلطان احمد و عملکرد به صورت فضاهای عمومی و ارتباطی و مؤثر در یکپارچه&zwnj;سازی کلیت سازمان فضایی مسجد 2- کمیت یکپارچگی و انتخاب پایین در مسجد و عملکرد به صورت فضاهای خصوصی و ساکن و متمایل به منفک شدن از کلیت سازمان فضایی. بنابراین ماهیت عملکردی رواق&zwnj;ها در مسجد امام به&zwnj;شدت محدود و مستقل است و در فعالیت&zwnj;های دیگر فضاهای مسجد، از جمله فضاهای اصلی شامل گنبدخانه&zwnj;ها و شبستان&zwnj;ها، نقشی ایفا نمی&zwnj;کنند و نقش کمرنگی در کلیت سازمان فضایی مسجد ایفا می&zwnj;کنند. در مجموع از یافته&zwnj;های مقاله می&zwnj;توان نتیجه گرفت که معماری اسلامی در سرزمین&zwnj;های گوناگون علی&zwnj;رغم شباهت&zwnj;های کالبدی و استفاده از عناصر مشترک، همچنان دارای تفاوت&zwnj;های آشکاری است. این تفاوت&zwnj;ها بهویژه در چگونگی بهره&zwnj;برداری از فضاهایی با کالبدهای مشابه قابل مشاهده است.

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