The role of architectural acoustics in advancing the aural tradition during the Safavid era

During the Safavid era (1501–1736), the Imam Mosque in Naqsh-e-Jahan Square, Esfahan, demonstrated groundbreaking advancements in architectural acoustics. The mosque's design, influenced by Shaykh Baha'i's expertise in sound science and hyperbolic mathematics, created a tranquil soundscape capable of accommodating up to 15,000 people for synchronized prayer rituals with clear speech intelligibility. This study reveals how the mosque's volumetric design, material selection, ornamentation, and acoustic coupling mechanisms contributed to its sonic identity. The research analyzes sound energy exchange patterns and decay, providing insights into the connection between the soundscape and the intended function of these monumental spaces.

Farzaneh, N., & Braasch, J. (2020). The role of architectural acoustics in advancing the aural tradition during the Safavid era. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 148(4_Supplement), 2797. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.5147787