Journal of Researches in Islamic Architecture

Cognition towards creation and perception process of architecture is an important and complicated subject of architectural realm. Despite numeral related researches of recent decades, some of the aspects of this subject are still unknown. Considering the fact that proper cognition of this process could create the groundwork of quality improvement in architectural pieces and will help to find solutions for many of the architects’ assumed problems, the issue of this research is about reviewing the structure of creation and perception process in architectural pieces on the basis of transcendent wisdom. In order to do this, the strategy of logical reasoning has been selected. At the first step of this research, an accurate description of human, existence and their aspects and capacities is defined, and then the interaction between human and existence and its refection on creation and perception process in architectural pieces is analyzed on the basis of transcendent wisdom as the theoretical foundation of this research. Since transcendent wisdom asserts on the fact that God created the human as himself when it got to the sense of creativity, and that the most perfect creation of God is the world of existence, this research will also review the creation process of the world, making a pattern to define the creation and perception process in architectural pieces in five steps. The main components of this structure include: the soul grade of architect and spectator, and their Appearance powers (vision, smell, hearing, taste, touch) and their internal powers (Hes-E-Moshtarak, Motesarefeh, Vahemeh, imagination, memory), Architectural categories (form, function, meaning, design & construction, tissue and cohesion, mood and will), and quadripartite needs of human (physical needs, psychical needs, rational needs, spiritual needs)
Finally, Identifying the effective factors of this process on the quality of architectural pieces will lead to presented suggestions of this research which can improve the quality of this process. Results show that by considering the comprehensive foundations of Islamic thoughts as the theoretical foundation of Architectural researches will help to suggest solutions for complicated problems of architectural realm.

The role of "memory" (meaning treasury) and "imagination" (face treasury) of the architect in shaping theprocess of creating and perceiving architectural worksBased on the view of transcendent wisdom
The issue of how the process of creating and perceiving architectural works and the factors affecting it is an important, multidimensional and interdisciplinary category. However, at present, the process of formation of architectural works in most studies is based on superficial perceptions of human perception and at best depends on the five human senses and, of course, usually limited to some of them. Therefore, it is necessary to address the aspects of this issue from the perspective of anthropological sciences (knowledge of his powers and perceptual tools), ontology (knowledge of the levels of existence) and psychology of theenvironment (study of the relationship between man and the environment).
The present study intends to investigate how the stages of the process of creating and perceiving architectural works are formed by focusing on the esoteric forces, especially the "memory" and "imagination" of the architect and also by redefining the steps of decomposition, composition and evaluation in this process with a new look, this study intends to investigate the direct and indirect effects on the quality of formation and realization of these steps. The theoretical basis of this research is the principles of transcendent wisdom and to do it, the strategy of logical reasoning has been used. In the data collection stage, documentary and librarystudies have been used, and in the later stages, the deductive reasoning method has been used.

The results of this research show that architecture, like other human actions, is influenced by the material and spiritual context of growth (lived experience) and the architect's perceptions during his lifetime until the moment of creating the work. On the one hand, the architect is influenced by his memory (treasury of meanings) and imagination (treasury of faces) that these items will be the source of his ideas, and on the other hand, by his actions, ethics and temperament ,he creates a level for his rational soul, which is the origin and creator of his actions. And of course the level of the soul also plays an important role in the efficiency of memory and imagination in human beings because the meanings and forms stored in them are the result of his level of interaction with the worlds. This approach can also pave the way for change in architecture education Be. Because he emphasizes that the architect must first go through the arc of ascending epistemology in his being and then try to create in the arc of the descent of the creation of thearchitectural work.

“Islamic centers” are among the most important symbols of the presence of Muslims in non-Muslim countries and hold significant identity value. They also act as cultural representatives of the Muslim community in the eyes of the host society. Therefore, their design is particularly important. This research aims to identify principles for designing Islamic centers that help preserve and strengthen Islamic cultural identity while improving coexistence with host communities.
By reviewing previous studies, the research identified “identity” and “coexistence” as its main concepts. These were examined in relation to Islamic center architecture using a place-based model structured around the three axes of “meaning,” “physical form,” and “activity.” The study focuses on these issues from the perspective of Muslim users; therefore, a questionnaire was used to gain a comprehensive and accurate understanding. Since the researchers intend to design an Islamic center in England, the questionnaire—containing both closed and open questions—was distributed among Muslims living in England to identify their needs, views, and visual preferences. The results were derived through comparative analysis of the questionnaire findings, library studies, and previous research.
The research outcome is presented as a strategic model across the three axes of meaning, physical form, and activity, offering design principles that support both coexistence with the host society and the preservation of Islamic identity. The findings show that incorporating symbols of Islamic values strengthens identity expression, reduces feelings of deprivation, and increases acceptance among Muslim minorities, contributing to reduced cultural tensions and a greater sense of belonging. Using shared visual elements and common values also reduces sensitivities within the host society and improves communication. A convergent approach allows Islamic centers to function as both religious centers for Muslims and cultural centers for the wider society, enhancing the image of Islamic culture. Consequently, identity and coexistence are interconnected, and both must be addressed in the design of Islamic centers.