International Journal of
Architectural Engineering & Urban Planning
Thu, Jun 18, 2026
[Archive]
Architectural Engineering Department, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran. , alisadeghi@yu.ac.ir
Abstract:
The present study aims to investigate the impact of unwanted sounds (noise pollution) on the minds of users using the architectural spaces and environments of Islamic mosques by measuring brain waves. As we know, safe Islamic spaces must have unique characteristics to provide a degree of tranquility and spiritual sense for people who enter these environments and make them away from the urban noise and daily worries so that they can devote part of their time to worship. To provide such a spiritual place, it is required to satisfy and pay attention to special conditions according to the environmental psychology of its architectural space. Various physical and sensory factors are involved in the creation of such a feature for the space of mosques, one of which is the sound component with both positive and negative effects on the users' minds. By selecting "Agha Bozorg Mosque" in Kashan as a successful architectural example, the present study examines the following hypothesis: There is a significant relationship between the sensory factor of the unpleasant sound and the spiritual sense created in the space of Islamic religious places. The present research is carried out using field studies and a laboratory method (brain wave recording). In the present study, the "urban traffic noise" is prepared as an unpleasant sound through simulation and then, its effects on users' minds are investigated. The sample size is estimated to be 20 people. The overall results showed that noise pollution directly plays a key role in reducing the spiritual sense of the users using the interior space of mosques, and paying attention to the location of these places in the city considering such sounds can improve the sensory quality of the architecture of mosques. Even the best type of mosque architecture is significantly influenced by such noise and its quality is reduced. Therefore, it is very necessary to pay attention to this important issue in the location of mosques.
Keywords: Environmental psychology, Islamic architecture, cognitive science, spiritual sense, mosques
Type of Study: Research Paper |
Subject:
Architectural Science Review
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