Isfahan school’s mosques light hierarchy analysis in relation to city public open spaces

Mosques are one of the essential elements of Iranian and Islamic cities that interact with the urban environment. The entrance is the first space in the mosque that the audience encounters. According to the spiritual concepts, this space provides the audience with the necessary preparation to enter the hierarchy. Light hierarchy is one of the hierarchical factors that effectively understand space and evoke emotions. Light is a supernatural element that can change a person's feelings in space. Therefore, the present study quantitatively compares and contrasts lighting components in the entrance space of four-aisled mosques.

In the theoretical section, the research variables have been explained by studying scientific sources. Then, by simulating mosques, the light indicators at the entrance of mosques in the Climate Studio plugin are analyzed.

Considering the results of simulation data analysis, the relationship between the entrance and the inner courtyard of the mosque, entrance decorations, materials, and lattice opening are factors determining the light hierarchy in mosque entrance spaces.

The two parts of separation from the urban space and connection to the courtyard space have the highest light intensity and the changes in light intensity along the route are according to the location of the mosque and the characteristics of the human eye.