Volume 14, Issue 1 (4-2026)
JRIA 2026, 14(1): 0-0 |
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hayati Z, aghaei S. (2026). Explaining the Levels and Characteristics of Inner Space in the Rock shrine Ghadamgah of Azarshahr. JRIA. 14(1), doi:10.66224/jria.14.1.7
URL: http://jria.iust.ac.ir/article-1-1855-en.html
URL: http://jria.iust.ac.ir/article-1-1855-en.html
1- Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract: (1131 Views)
The concept of “inner space” (Daroon), as a fundamental quality in the architecture of places of worship, plays a decisive role in shaping the experience of presence. Today, however, the dominance of formal and functional considerations often compromises this quality, necessitating a systematic and analytical redefinition. This study formulates an analytical framework for the concept of inner space, examines its manifestation in the rock-cut shrine of Ghadamgah in Azarshahr, and conducts an analytical comparison with contemporary architecture of similar typologies.
Employing a qualitative-interpretive method and a case study strategy at the site, the research addresses two primary questions: (1) What orders, levels, and characteristics define the concept of inner space in architecture from theoretical perspectives? (2) How is inner space embodied in the architecture of the rock-cut Ghadamgah shrine? The research gathered empirical evidence through systematic field observations, physical documentation, and archival studies. It then synthesized these data using an interpretive approach, ensuring methodological validity through triangulation.
The findings reveal that “inner space” is a relational and generative phenomenon emerging from human-spatial interactions across a three-level hierarchy:
Structural level: Strategies such as enclosure, emphasis on mass, and symbolic lighting create a meaningful physical framework.
Functional level: This framework enables spatial patterns such as guided circulation and focal orientation.
Semantic level: Human engagement with these foundational layers generates immersive experiences and spiritual resonance.
The primary contribution of this research is a three-tier analytical model of inner space. Applying this model as an evaluative tool demonstrates that the diminished quality of inner space in contemporary places of worship stems from an overemphasis on structural elements (visual grandeur and monumental scale) at the expense of experiential dimensions (privacy, stillness, and belonging). Ultimately, this framework serves as an operative design guide, highlighting the need to maintain systemic equilibrium among form, function, and perception.
Employing a qualitative-interpretive method and a case study strategy at the site, the research addresses two primary questions: (1) What orders, levels, and characteristics define the concept of inner space in architecture from theoretical perspectives? (2) How is inner space embodied in the architecture of the rock-cut Ghadamgah shrine? The research gathered empirical evidence through systematic field observations, physical documentation, and archival studies. It then synthesized these data using an interpretive approach, ensuring methodological validity through triangulation.
The findings reveal that “inner space” is a relational and generative phenomenon emerging from human-spatial interactions across a three-level hierarchy:
Structural level: Strategies such as enclosure, emphasis on mass, and symbolic lighting create a meaningful physical framework.
Functional level: This framework enables spatial patterns such as guided circulation and focal orientation.
Semantic level: Human engagement with these foundational layers generates immersive experiences and spiritual resonance.
The primary contribution of this research is a three-tier analytical model of inner space. Applying this model as an evaluative tool demonstrates that the diminished quality of inner space in contemporary places of worship stems from an overemphasis on structural elements (visual grandeur and monumental scale) at the expense of experiential dimensions (privacy, stillness, and belonging). Ultimately, this framework serves as an operative design guide, highlighting the need to maintain systemic equilibrium among form, function, and perception.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Subject- oriented researches in Islamic architecture and urbanism, eg. Spatial-geometrical ideas, symbols and ornaments
Received: 2025/09/22 | Accepted: 2026/01/20 | Published: 2026/05/16
Received: 2025/09/22 | Accepted: 2026/01/20 | Published: 2026/05/16
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