A Study on Proportions of Entrance Façade of Sheikh Lotfolah, Ja’me Abbasi, Hakim Mosques and Chahar-Bagh School in Isfahan

This paper investigates the proportion of entrances façade in some Safavid heritage buildings in Isfahan, as the most important masterpieces of this period. The examined case studies include Sheikh Lotfolah Mosque, Ja’me Abasi Mosque (previously known as “Shah Mosque” or currently as “Imam Mosque”), Hakim Mosque and Chahar-Bagh (previously known as “Madare Shah”) School. An entrance, which is the subject of this research, is a significant element of an architectural design; this has a special impact on identifying urban spaces. This element particularly has got special place in Safavid Era as a result of emphasizing on urban design aspects in this period. The significant aspect of the study is the proportion of entrance façades in Safavid mosques of Isfahan like Ja’me Abbasi Mosque, which has a special situation and location in comparison with other monuments. This survey attempted to figure out the answer to the following questions: (i) Has Safavid architecture followed the specific and identified proportions in designing the entrance façade of mosques? Furthermore, if so, the second question which has to be answered is; (ii) is there any variety regarding the hierarchy of importance, function and location of these mosques? On the other hand, (iii) does the situation of the mosques affect their proportion of entrance façade and reveal any diversity?” In the process of the study, the outstanding difference of Ja’me Abbasi Mosque in comparison with other mosques became clear. The entrance façade of this mosque is not only higher than that of other ones, but also has two minarets on its sides. Furthermore, this mosque is a Safavid Adineh Mosque, and this has made it remarkable in terms of function, politics and socialization position. Thereupon, it may also affect the proportions of its entrance façade. The geometric methods which were employed in this research, namely the ratios of height to width in main parts of façades, assess the existing proportions of each entrance façade. This paper presents a summary of four case studies followed by a brief literature review on the recognized geometric proportions of indicative squares, regular pentagons and regular hexagons. The results are achieved by the comparison derived from the square, pentagon and hexagon. The survey results are established in terms of identification of employed proportions in entrance facades, assessment and evaluation, and finally implementation and comparison of them. As a result, the present study clearly indicates that the Ja’me Abbasi Mosque has unique proportions for its entrance façade in comparison with the other mosques, whilst other Safavid mosques have similar proportions. This result highlights the unique role of Ja’me Abbasi Mosque in the city in terms of function and also shows the efforts of its designers to make it outstanding. The rectangular of entrance façade in Ja’me Abbasi Mosque is consistent with the proportions of regular pentagon. However, in other Safavid mosques, entrance façades were compatible with proportions of regular hexagons. Accordingly, the results were presented for each of the case studies in some tables. Finally, a comparison table has been presented to assess and compare the ratio of all cases and has provided the final result of the research.