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Since 1979, Christian Norberg-Schulz’s theory of genius loci has profoundly shaped architectural phenomenology worldwide, conceptualizing it as the unique essence of a place that defines its distinct atmosphere. However, his framework tends to privilege a relatively stable essence of place, only partially addressing the dynamic nature of temporality in contemporary lived environments. This paper reexamines genius loci through the lens of mandegari (Māndigārī), a Farsi concept denoting enduring continuity that simultaneously embraces transformation as an essential condition of persistence.
The study employs Atiq Square in Isfahan as a case study to explore this theoretical reexamination. As the principal civic space during the Seljuk period (1051–1118), adjacent to the bazaar and the Atiq Mosque, Atiq Square once functioned as the socio-spatial heart of the city. Its decline began with the Safavid establishment of Naqsh-e Jahan Square (1598), followed by gradual encroachments during the Qajar period (1789–1925) that fragmented its spatial integrity. In the twentieth century Pahlavi era, modernization interventions introduced perpendicular streets, transforming the site into a traffic circle. The 2008 rehabilitation project sought to recover the historic Seljuk square by relocating these streets underground and reconstructing its perceived original boundaries.
While Norberg-Schulz’s framework can partially interpret the character of the rehabilitated Atiq Square, it falls short of capturing the accumulated layers of meaning produced through successive contemporary transformations. In contrast, mandegari interprets the square as a temporally layered and continuously negotiated place, where both historical endurance and modern adaptations contribute to its character. In this regard, mandegari provides a more comprehensive explanation for the lack of lived vitality in the recent reconstruction, which prioritizes an idealized past while erasing significant contemporary layers. By integrating mandegari as a cross-cultural concept into genius loci, this paper proposes a temporally dynamic understanding of place as an ongoing process of becoming, beyond Euro-American perspectives.
Nota biográfica | Short Bio
Dr. Shahead Maghreby began his architectural journey at the Art University of Isfahan, Iran, earning a Ph.D. Currently pursuing a second Ph.D. at Texas A&M University as Ph.D. candidate, he specializes in the theory and history of architecture with a phenomenological approach. Concurrently, he is a faculty member at Blinn College, with over a decade of teaching experience in architectural history and urban design analysis. Dr. Maghreby has contributed to the field through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. A licensed architect in Iran and former project manager in the U.S., he has overseen diverse projects, demonstrating a deep understanding of cultural contexts and inhabitants' experiences.
| Palavras-chave | Keywords | Genius Loci; Mandegari (Māndigārī); Temporality; Atiq Square; Isfahan |
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