Lecturer, Saba Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
Abstract
The phenomenological approach to architecture is primarily based on personal experiences of space. Architectural education should therefore provide for the students to experience the space at first hand and consequently express their experience. This research reports the findings of a visit by students and the lecturer to two historic mosques in Kerman City. The findings of students were in four categories. The first category includes ‘General Impressions’ on the underlying overall design concepts. ‘Detailed Impressions’ then refer to the findings of another scrutiny level. The third category refers to ‘Special Impressions’. In the fourth category, ‘Expressions’ the students try to depict their understanding by use of abstract forms rather than direct representation. These impressions are essentially a contextual critique of the monument. They are valuable as they are directly derived from students’ understanding.
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