Analysis of Meaning-Making Factors in the Formation of Sense of Place: A Comparative Study of Traditional and Contemporary Mosques in Hamadan

Abstract

With the expansion of human communities and the attenuation of semantic layers in the built environment, the semantic quality of space and the role of perceptual components in spatial formation have become important for designers.​ This study, adopting a meaning-centered perspective, examines the role of signs in place‑making within the architectural spaces of mosques in the city of Hamadan. The primary aim of the research is to identify the influence of meaning‑making signs on the generation of "sense of place" in traditional and contemporary mosques of Hamadan. To achieve this aim, architectural meaning‑making signs—including formal, sensory, and associative qualities—were identified based on semiotic principles and their relationships with the dependent variable "sense of place" were analyzed. The research employs a mixed method combining case study and cross‑sectional survey, with data collected via questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS for statistical and correlational analysis. Results indicate that there is a significant relationship between sense of place and meaning‑making signs (formal quality, sensory quality, and associative quality), and that sensory quality plays a more prominent role than the other qualities in strengthening sense of place. Furthermore, demographic variables including age, gender, and education level of worshippers showed significant effects on the experience of sense of place. The study’s findings can provide theoretical and practical guidance for architects and planners of mosque spaces to reinforce semantic layers and improve the quality of users’ spatial experience