Manifestation of Art in Architecture and Urban Engineering

The Visual Language in Qajar Siyah Mashq and the Analysis of Cultural and Artistic Influences on Contemporary Iranian Graphic Design (Based on Gérard Genette’s Theory)

Parisa Yazdani iD , Salar Zohoori ^* iD , Abolfazl Davodiroknabadi iD , Mahmoud Dehghanharati iD

In recent years, contemporary Iranian art—particularly graphic design—has undergone remarkable and extensive transformations, as artists have strived to create an innovative visual language. One of the most significant of these efforts is the deliberate use of Qajar Siyah Mashq calligraphy in the creation of contemporary graphic works. This practice not only draws upon the rich traditions and culture of Iran but also forges a link between the past and the present, leading to the emergence of a multilayered, autonomous, and dynamic identity in art. As a form of visual art, graphic design employs traditional elements such as calligraphy to reinterpret cultural, historical, and social concepts in a contemporary framework. In this study, drawing specifically on Gérard Genette’s theory of Transtextuality—which builds upon the earlier notion of Intertextuality proposed by Julia Kristeva—the influence of Qajar calligraphy on contemporary Iranian graphic design is examined. The aim is to explain how traditional written elements are transformed into a new and inspiring visual language that, while preserving cultural authenticity, also aligns with contemporary artistic and communicative needs. The study concludes that the interaction between tradition and modernity can provide a foundation for the emergence of a creative visual language that distinguishes contemporary Iranian graphic design from other styles and imbues it with a unique cultural depth.

Comparative Analysis of the Meaning Crisis and the Quest for Spirituality: A Case Study of Contemporary Residential Architecture in the West and Iran

Hooman Ranjbar iD , Mohsen Vafamehr ^* iD , Seyed Mohammad Khosro Sahaf iD , Mohsen Tabassi iD

This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of Western and Iranian architectural strategies for overcoming the meaning crisis in contemporary housing. The meaning crisis originates from instrumental reductionism and the negation of spiritual dimensions within Western modernism. This qualitative research, using a comparative approach and an eight-criteria analytical framework, investigates four key residential case studies (including the Vanna Venturi House and the Malagueira Housing Complex from the West; and Khāneh Daroon [Inner House] and Two Houses for Two Friends from Iran). The findings reveal a fundamental divergence in the approach to meaning: Western postmodern strategies focus on critical deconstruction and secular symbolism. For example, Venturi challenges hierarchical order, and Malagueira emphasizes social regionalism, both seeking meaning within lived experience and a secular context. In contrast, contemporary Iranian architectural strategies are grounded in the quest for sacred spirituality and the principles of Islamic–Iranian wisdom. The Iranian examples demonstrate that sustainable meaning lies in spatial thresholds and affective sensory experience by reviving hierarchical thresholds (Khāneh Daroon) and emphasizing the ethics of construction and collective relationship management (Two Houses for Two Friends). Conclusion: While the West seeks meaning through negation and secular irony, Iran achieves it through revival and sacred connection. The future of architecture requires an approach that integrates the authenticity of cultural and spiritual meaning with phenomenological necessities, shifting from static manifestos toward dynamic dialogue.

Investigating the Factors Influencing the Quality Enhancement of Sustainable Architectural Design Education at the Undergraduate Level of Architecture in Iran

Noorolhoda Ahmad Soltani iD , Amir Saeid Mahmoodi ^* iD , Mahyar Bastani iD

This study aims to identify and analyze the factors that influence the quality enhancement of sustainable architectural design education in Iranian undergraduate architecture programs, focusing on educational structure, teaching methods, and course content. The research adopted a descriptive–analytical and applied approach. Data were collected through library and field methods using a two-phase questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. Fifty architecture and curriculum experts from major Iranian universities (University of Tehran, Shahid Beheshti University, and Iran University of Science and Technology) participated, selected via snowball sampling. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis and H tests, and the reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients above 0.8. Significant differences were found among indicators across the three criteria (p<0.05). Within educational structure, integrating sustainability-related practical and theoretical courses during the first two years scored highest, while promoting general sustainability education scored lowest. In teaching methods, continuous media coverage of sustainability issues ranked highest, whereas encouraging creativity in theoretical courses ranked lowest. Regarding content, revising course titles and materials was rated highest, while addressing sustainability within policy and operational levels scored lowest. Overall, content modification was identified as the most influential factor, followed by teaching methods and structural changes. Improving sustainable architectural education in Iran requires comprehensive reforms in educational content, teaching methods, and structural organization. Early integration of sustainability principles in coursework, coupled with interactive learning and consistent media engagement, can significantly enhance student competence and environmental awareness. These reforms will foster an education system that aligns architectural learning with sustainable development goals.

Semantic Reading of Qajar-Era Residential Architecture in Kermanshah and Its Application in Contemporary Housing Design

Ehsan Daryoushi iD , Arsalan Tahmasebi ^* iD , Qader Bayzidi iD

The purpose of this study is to conduct a semantic reading of Qajar-era residential architecture in the city of Kermanshah and to utilize its findings for enriching contemporary housing design. Adopting a qualitative, interpretive, and phenomenological approach, seven representative Qajar houses were analyzed through in-depth case studies, selected based on criteria such as historical authenticity, structural preservation, and field accessibility. Data were collected through direct field observations to record spatial, lighting, acoustic, and material qualities; semi-structured interviews with 15 participants (residents, owners, local architects, and cultural heritage experts) to explore lived experiences; analysis of historical documents and verified archival maps; and visual interpretation of images and architectural drawings. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis within a four-level theoretical framework: (1) the physical-structural level (focused on spatial organization, geometry, and hierarchy); (2) the semiotic-cultural level (examining symbols, rituals, and behavioral codes); (3) the lived experience level (exploring everyday interactions, collective memory, and cultural continuity); and (4) the perceptual-aesthetic level (evaluating multisensory elements such as light, color, texture, and sound). This framework, developed through the integration of architectural anthropology concepts (Rapoport, 2009), sensory phenomenology (Pallasmaa, 2013), and Iranian architectural theories (Haeri & Soltanzadeh, 2009), provides a comprehensive interpretive perspective. Findings indicate that Qajar houses in Kermanshah transcend mere physical structures and embody a complex semantic system manifested through spatial codes, rituals, behaviors, and sensory-collective experiences of the inhabitants. At the physical level, introverted spatial patterns with central courtyards and indirect corridors ensure privacy and climatic adaptability. Semiologically, elements such as orsi (stained-glass windows) and ornamental details serve as cultural symbols that enhance the sense of belonging and security. Lived experiences transform spaces into repositories of collective memory, while sensory perception—through the interplay of light and sound—imparts a spiritual quality to the environment. Based on this analysis, a conceptual model for contemporary housing design is proposed, emphasizing the continuity of spatial order, cultural codes, sensory experience, and aesthetic quality, while reinterpreting traditional elements through modern materials and sustainable technologies. This research reinforces the semantic approach in Iranian architecture and provides a foundation for rethinking design grounded in local values. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that the semantic reinterpretation of traditional heritage can contribute to the creation of sustainable and identity-rich housing. It is recommended that future studies extend this framework to other regions.

Reading the Motifs of Achaemenid Architectural Works Based on Jung’s Archetypal Theory

Parisa Shahverdy ^* iD

Architecture constitutes a prominent part of the history of Iranian art, which has always attracted considerable attention, leaving behind remarkable masterpieces. The architecture of the Achaemenid period represents one of the most brilliant eras in the architectural history of Iran. This architecture is adorned with valuable motifs whose contemplation allows for a deeper understanding of the spirit of art and architecture of that age. It appears that the figures and motifs in the architecture of this period, in addition to their external manifestations, embody deeper meanings and concepts intimately connected with the human psyche. The present study aims to decode these motifs through a psychoanalytic approach, analyzing the architectural representations of the Achaemenid period based on the views of the Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung. According to Jung, the human psyche consists of three levels, the deepest of which is the collective unconscious. Jung referred to the contents of the collective unconscious as archetypes, which are reflected symbolically in literary and artistic works. He conducted extensive studies on symbols and maintained that everything in the world can acquire a symbolic meaning. This research seeks to align Jung’s theory concerning the manifestation of archetypes in the form of symbols with the motifs of Achaemenid architecture and attempts to answer the question of how the influence of the collective unconscious can be interpreted in these architectural motifs and in what ways the archetypes are reflected in them. The research method is analytical-comparative, and the data are qualitative in nature, derived from documentary and library sources. The findings indicate that the motifs of Achaemenid architecture, beyond their decorative aspect, contain symbolic meanings rooted in archetypes and the memories of the collective unconscious. These symbols are reflected in architectural design through abstract and composite representations of animals, plants, numbers, and sacred shapes.

Reinterpreting Form, Space, and the Design Process in Residential Houses of Tehran (1950s–1970s)

Aidin Saie Arasi iD , Seyyedeh Elham Alavizadeh ^* iD , Javad Javan Majidi iD

The architecture of contemporary Iran has undergone a tumultuous and intricate trajectory of formation and development over the past century. The diverse formal manifestations of contemporary architecture reveal numerous contradictions and complexities that challenge our understanding of this period. Contemporary Iranian architecture, particularly in Tehran during the 1950s to 1970s, experienced fundamental transformations in both nature and identity. This study seeks to reinterpret the concepts of form and space within the design process of residential houses in Tehran during these decades and to reconstruct the architectural movements and discourses of the period through a deep analytical lens on contemporary Iranian—especially Tehran’s—architecture. The main research question is: What was the predominant approach of third-generation architects in the residential design process? In the first part, the study employs the case study and interpretive–analytical methods, while in the second part, it utilizes document analysis and descriptive methods. Data collection in the first part was conducted through examination of selected architectural case samples, and in the second part through the use of documents and written sources (books, research studies, and academic articles). The analytical framework of this study is interpretive–analytical in nature. The findings indicate that the paradigm shifts in architectural design, along with transformations in the influencing factors of architectural formation on one hand, and the inclination toward popular art on the other, are both reflected in the architectural output and in the evolution of thought within the design process. The architectural morphology of Tehran’s residential buildings in the 1950s demonstrates modernist characteristics; in the 1960s, features of high modernism and stylistic ambiguity are evident; and in the 1970s, there emerges a tendency toward traditionalism, characterized by the use of Iranian–Islamic geometry.

Exploring the Impacts of Physical Factors on the Formation of Third Places: A Comparative Study of the Historical Bazaar and Laleh Park Commercial Complex in Tabriz

Sepideh Rafiei iD , Shabnam Akbarinamdar ^* iD

This study aims to examine the influence of physical factors—including spatial architecture, extent and harmony, aesthetic principles, spatial functionality, and social dimensions—on the formation of third places through a comparative analysis of the historical bazaar and Laleh Park commercial complex in Tabriz. The research follows a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population comprises non-working visitors present in cafés and restaurant areas of the two study sites. A total sample of 400 participants (200 per site) was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire covering five physical dimensions. Reliability and validity were confirmed via factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS software through structural equation modeling (SEM). The SEM results indicated that all physical dimensions significantly affect the formation of third places (t-values > 0.5). Spatial architecture (0.731), extent and harmony (0.622), aesthetic principles (0.516), functional dimensions (0.594), and social aspects (0.563) collectively contribute to creating socially engaging, comfortable, and cohesive environments. These outcomes highlight the central role of the physical environment in enhancing social interaction, urban vitality, and cultural sustainability. The findings underscore that well-integrated physical design elements foster third places that strengthen social interactions, cultural identity, and urban liveliness. Urban planners and designers should integrate physical and social dimensions when developing public spaces to promote belonging, inclusiveness, and social cohesion.

Investigating the Indicators and Key Components Influencing the Programming of the National Housing Plan

Sepehr Adibzadeh iD , Bahman Adibzadeh ^* iD , Ali Akbari iD

Given the significance of housing in sustainable urban development and improving citizens' quality of life, the present study investigates the indicators and key components of design in Iran’s National Housing Plan. The research method consisted of three main stages. First, key components of housing planning were identified through documentary studies and a review of academic sources, official documents, and international experiences. A total of six indicators encompassing 30 components were identified. The validity of the indicators was assessed using the Delphi method by convening a panel of 30 experts over two rounds. After validating the components, a questionnaire with 30 items on a Likert scale was developed. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through expert judgment, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and the AVE and CR indices. Its reliability was assessed using the test-retest method (correlation coefficient = 0.85) and Cronbach’s alpha (0.89). The statistical population included housing applicants, citizens, and researchers, and the sample size was determined to be 100 individuals using Cochran's formula. Ultimately, data were weighted using the entropy method. According to the results derived from the entropy model, economic indicators had the highest weight (0.177), indicating the greatest importance. This was followed by environmental components and architectural and construction standards, both with weights of 0.169. The lowest final weight belonged to "design guideline lines" with a value of 0.148, suggesting it had the least influence in the overall evaluation compared to the other indicators. Based on the findings, the most significant key indicators for programming the National Housing Plan in Iran fall into five general categories: architectural and construction standards, managerial indicators, social indicators, economic components, and environmental aspects.

Manifestation of Art in Architecture and Urban Engineering

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A Comparative Study of Composition in Safavid Wall Paintings of Isfahan and Tehran Coffeehouse Painting Based on a Bourdieusian Analysis of Grid-Based Visual Syntax and Rhythmic Organization

Thermal Performance Assessment of Brick Lattice Surfaces in the Traditional Architecture of Dezful and Their Impact on Building Energy Consumption

An Inquiry into the Relationship Between Miniature Painting and Perspective in Renaissance and Iranian Architecture: A Phenomenological Approach with Critical Discourse Analysis

Explaining the Artistic and Perceptual Components of Heritage Landscape in Urban Branding of Kerman Using the DANP Model

Presenting a Model of Urban Brand Governance Based on the Economy of Art and Cultural Industries Toward the Development of Creative Tourism

A Systematic Review of Natural Ventilation in Vernacular Architecture of Humid Temperate Climates

Semiotic Recognition of Indexical, Iconic, and Inventive Signs in the Gravestone Motifs of Sepid Chah Cemetery in Mazandaran Based on Umberto Eco’s Approach

Spatial Transformation and Key Drivers of Land Consumption Change in the Oshan–Fasham–Meygun Region (1941–2019)

Artistic and Aesthetic Approaches in Civil Engineering

A Qualitative Study of the Impact of Physical and Social Characteristics of Pedestrian Routes on Enhancing Social Participation through Fostering a Sense of Neighborhood Attachment (Case Study: Amir Kabir and Shariati Streets, Babol)

Design Strategies for Elderly Care Homes in Zanjan with an Emphasis on Comprehensive Physical, Psychological, and Social Health and Adaptation to the Cold-Dry Climate and Local Culture

Identifying and Applying the Potentials of Sustainable Architecture for Designing the Commercial and Administrative Center of Chabahar City with a Sustainable Architecture Approach

Sustainable Low-Income Housing: Examining Housing and Governance Issues in Isfahan Province

Typology of Pre-Texts in Kerman Pictorial Carpets of the 13th Century AH

Exploring the Aesthetic Components of Biophilic Architecture in the Design of Thematic Museums with an Approach to Enhancing Human–Nature Interaction (Focusing on the Motorcycle Museum Concept)

The Capacities of Visual Arts in Enhancing Public Awareness and Public Culture: An Analytical Systematic Review with a Focus on Visual Literacy and Public Communication

Explaining the Relationship Between Hospital Facade Composition Principles and Audience Trust: A Perceptual Psychology Approach

Systematic Review of the Components of Child-Centered Educational Space Design Using the PRISMA Approach

A Review of Strategies for Improving Indoor Environmental Quality in Schools, with Emphasis on Transparent Building Envelopes, Thermal Comfort, and Indoor Air Quality in Semi-Hot and Arid Climates

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