Architectural Proving Ground: A Novel Approach to the Visual Re-Creation of Hidden Spaces in Historic Cities  (Case Study: Religious Buildings in Rasht, Iran)

Bolourchi, Mostafa

doi:10.22034/bagh.2025.486484.5697

Architectural Proving Ground: A Novel Approach to the Visual Re-Creation of Hidden Spaces in Historic Cities (Case Study: Religious Buildings in Rasht, Iran)

https://doi.org/10.22034/bagh.2025.486484.5697

Volume 22, Issue 147
September 2025

Pages 51-66

The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar

Document Type : Original Research Article

Author

Mostafa Bolourchi

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad

Abstract

Problem statement: Contemporary cities require a stronger sense of identity and place, particularly concerning their historic sites. In this context, the recovery of hidden spaces is of paramount importance. This study defines “hidden spaces” as historically significant buildings that no longer have a physical presence or visible trace.
Research objective: This study aims to introduce a new type of oral history through field studies one that is not only auditory but also visual. It presents an innovative approach that relies heavily on the interaction between the witness (interviewee) and the field researcher (interviewer). This method involves physical and mental movement through space and time, recognizing building plans, the development of forms, and architectural details of historical structures. This process is referred to in this study as the “Architectural Proving Ground.”
Research method: The research is applied in purpose and descriptive-analytical, conducted through qualitative methods. Sampling was conducted in stages, combining convenience, snowball, and purposive sampling techniques. The study’s statistical population, in its physical-spatial aspect, includes religious buildings in Rasht from the Safavid era to the end of the Pahlavi II period. In terms of human resources, the study draws upon local witnesses and elders who were involved in or have observed events related to these buildings.
Conclusion: The analysis reveals that within the conditions of the Architectural Proving Ground, the lived experiences of the witnesses—guided by the researcher—through methodical steps involving hypothesis presentation and testing, lead to the spatial anchoring of the witnesses’ memories. This, in turn, brings meaning to these places and uncovers patterns of architectural transformation and development across historical periods. The study thus offers a scientific framework that demonstrates how the Architectural Proving Ground can facilitate the visual re-creation of hidden spaces and help identify the lost spatial structures associated with them (such as memories and related events) in historic cities.

Keywords

Rasht

Religious Buildings

Visual Re-Creation

Oral History

Architectural Proving Ground

Abrams, L. (2016). Oral History Theory. Routledge.
Adib Haj Bagheri, M., Parvizi, S., & Salsali, M. (2007). Qualitative Research Methods. Boshra Publition.
Aghaei, A. (2015). Do’s and Don’ts in Oral History. In the Artistic Sect of the I.R of Iran, Center for Studies and Research. Interviews in Oral History: collection of articles from the fourth scientific Session and oral history workshop (March 26-27, 2007) (pp. , 549-559). Sooreh Mehr Publiton.
Amraee, B. (2014). Intersemiotic Analyses of Relation between Form and Space. Journal of Fine Arts: Visual Arts, 19(4), 25-36. https://doi.org/10.22059/jfava.2014.55418
Ardhyanto, A., Dewancker, B. J., Tsai, Y. L., & Heryana, R. .E. (2023). Memory Recollection and Oral History: A Study of Vernacular Architecture Transformation of the Past. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2023.2204951
Arabi, J. (2013). The Creation of Form. Kasra Publications.
Cantero Vinuesa, A. (2022). To speak in order to inhabit: oral tools for the history, analysis, and design of architecture. Cuadernos de Proyectos Arquitectónicos, 12. https://doi.org/10.20868/cpa.2022.12.4963
Frey, A. (2008). In search of a Living architecture (M. Zolriyastin & M. Sarikhani, Trans.). Poshtoutan. (Original work published 1993)
Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2005). Architectural research methods (A. Einifer, Trans.). University of Tehran Publications. (Original work published 1954)
Grutter, J. K. (2011). ‭Ästhetik der Architektur : Grundlagen der Architektur-Wahrnehmung (M. Dowlatkhah & S. Hemmati, Trans.). Dolatmand. (Original work published 1987)‬‬‬‬‬
Haeri, M.R. (2014). The Role of Space in Iranian Architecture: Seven Discourses on the Language and Power of Architecture. Cultural Research Bureau.
Hashemi, M. (2014). An Introduction to Oral history of Iranian Architecture. Rozaneh Publition.
Hyacinth Louis, R. (2012). Les provinces caspiennes de la Perse: le Gilan (J. Khammamizad, Trans.). Taati.
Javanbakht, M. (2015). the Role of Imagination in Oral history Interviews. In: the Artistic Sect of the I.R of Iran, Center for Studies and Research. Interviews in Oral History: collection of articles from the fourth scientific Session and oral history workshop (March 26-27, 2007) (pp. 541-547 ). Sooreh Mehr Pub.
Marcus, B. (2008). Oral History and the Documentation of Historic Sites: Recording Sense of Place. 16th ICOMOS General Assembly and International Symposium, Canada. https://shorturl.at/h3ftZ
Mosavi, F. (2012). The function of form (M. Miyanji & F. Nazari, Trans.). Alam Memar Royal. (Origonal work published 1341)
Norberg Shulz, C. (2014). Architecture: meaning and place (V. Nowruz Borazjani, Trans.). Parham Naqsh. (Original work published 1998)
Norberg Schulz, C. (2014). Existence, space and architecture (V. Nowruz Borazjani, Trans.). Parham Naqsh. (Original work published 1974)
Qayumi Bid-Hindi, M. (2014). Foreword in: Hashemi, M. (2014). An Introduction to Oral History of Iranian Architecture. Rozaneh Publition.
Quinlan, M. K. (2018). The oral history manual (R. Mohajer, Trans.). National Archives and Library Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran. (Original work published 2002)
Rezvani, M. R., & Ahmadi, A. (2008). Place and the Role of Culture in Shaping the Place Identity. Journal of Culture-Communication Studies, 10(6), 45-68. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.20088760.1388.10.6.3.0
Safaeipour, H. (2016). Architectural Anthropology: Introducing a Method for Recording the Design Thoughts of Contemporary Traditional Iranian Architects. Methodology of Social Sciences and Humanities, 22(89), 79-106. https://method.rihu.ac.ir/article_1291.html?lang=en
Safardost, A. (2005). Inquiry into an Understanding of the Identity of the Built of Rasht City. Ministry of Roads & Urban Development I.R. of Iran.
Sarmad, Z. Bazargan, A. Hejazi, E. (2014). The Research Methods in Behavioral Sciences. Agah Publition.
Shokouei, H. (1992). Philosophy of Geography. Gitashenasi Publition.
Shoorcheh, M. (2015). Geographical schools (from the beginning to the present). Parhan Naghsh Publition.
Sotoudeh, M. (1995). From Astara to Estarbad. Agah Publition.
Vansina, J. (2018). ‭Oral tradition as history (F. Nambaradershad, Trans.). Historians Publication. (Original work published 2017)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬
Vaziri, A.N. (2004). General History of the Visual Arts: Prehistory to Islam. University of Tehran Pres.
Veale, S., & Schilling, K. (2004). Talking history: Oral history guidelines. Department of Environment & Conservation (NSW).
Wong, W. (2013). Principles of form and design (A. Bidarbakht & N. Lavasani, Trans.). Ney published. (Original work published 1993)

XML

PDF 2.07 M

Full Text in second language