Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) - Kent School of Architecture & Planning - University of Kent, Canterbury, U.K., 2019
The making of Persian colored glass windows flourished during the Safavid period (1501-1736 A.D.) and became an inseparable feature of traditional Iranian architecture that was greatly concerned with climate and use of natural resources. Orosi, Arasi or Orsi windows offered a suitable interior temperature, shade, controlled natural light, heat insulation and natural ventilation. But they also became a valuable artistic and decorative element in architecture of northern, central and southern Iran. In western literature, Persian colored glass panels (Shisheh-Alvaan & Mushabbak) and Orsi or sash windows and their periodically significant role in the traditional architecture of Iran as cultural, environmental and climatic elements of architecture, is missing. Unlike classical western architecture, where stained glass is highly embellished within a Christian context, it served a greater purpose in Iranian architecture that is rarely explored. Today there is very little known about the techniques craftsmen used in Iran to construct beautiful colored glass windows and panels. The origin of Orsi is unknown and there isn't any substantial research conducted in the area of colored glass windows in Iran. Through examination of original and primary archival manuscripts, existing historic monuments and contemporary literature.
Under the supervision of Dr. Henrik Schoenefeldt this research was conducted at the University of Kent - a public research university based in the city of Canterbury, United Kingdom - between 2014 and 2018. This work became possible through extensive international travel, site surveys, interviews, archival research, the use of computer software such as Google-Earth and GIS; it was supported by several notable art curators and historians including Ms. Sheila R. Canby, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ms. Ursula Sims-Williams at the British Library in London, and Dr. Sussan Babaie, at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. Several grants from the Iran Society, the British Institute of Persian Studies, and the University of Kent, each of which required acceptance of a grant proposal funded this research. The final dissertation was awarded the degree of doctor of philosophy in 2019. |
Work as a Doctoral Candidate Assistant Lecturer - University of Kent (Kent School of Architecture and Planning) Canterbury, England, August 2015 - August 2016 Summary: 4 classes - Class capacity: 20 - History of architecture, 15th-19th century |