JOURNAL OF RESEARCHES IN ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Year:2019 | Volume:7 | Issue:2 (23) |Papers Count:7

Karbandi is the structure of a kind of roofing in Persian architecture. One of the main issues related to the design of karbandi is that, due to its geometrical structure, it is not possible to design any desired karbandi on a given base. Therefore, it is necessary for the designer to be able to discern the proper karbandi for a given base. The most critical stage in designing a karbandi is when the designer should recognize the number of sides of a proper karbandi for the given base. Therefore, the question that this paper is trying to answer is that from a mathematical point of view how an architect can find out the proper segmentation of the base to fit the geometrical structure of a karbandi. In this paper first a literature review of traditional methods for designing karbandis is conducted in which the methods of three master architects are examined. They include master Pirnia, Sha’ rbaf, and Lorzadeh. The problem with these traditional methods is that no clear explanation is given for the way the designer can reach a proper division of the base. Only Pirnia speaks of a simple empirical formula that was used by traditional architects. This formula has its specific limitations too. It is so arranged that in order to produce a meaningful answer, the numbers pertaining to the length and width of the base rectangle have to be integer numbers. However, it is highly probable that a designer wants to design a karbandi on a rectangular base with non-integer dimensions. Besides its limited range of function, it is not mathematically clear how much accurate its answers are. Pirnia admits that this formula was not aimed to be quite accurate and most of the times the designers had to modify the original dimensions of the base in order to find an acceptable one. The less accurate the segmentation of the base rectangle, the more deviated will be the shamseh piece of the karbandi from a true circle towards an ellipse. Therefore, in the absence of a precise mathematical solution for this problem, it was probable that most of the times the designers had to content themselves with proximate solutions out of trial and error process or had to alter the original dimensions of the base in order to be able to build up a karbandi on it. In this paper this problem is formulated as a mathematical question and is solved. Then a program in Maple language is written to do the iterative calculations and print the relevant answers. Designers can easily run the program to find possible karbandis for any desired base. When the program is executed in Maple application, it prompts the user to determine whether a one-footed karbandi is required or a two-footed one. Then the length and width of the base rectangle and finally, the acceptable tolerance are asked. The acceptable tolerance is defined based on the ratio of the length to width of the rectangle. After entering these variants, the calculations are done and the answers which are within the domain of acceptable tolerance are printed orderly from the most exact answers to the least. In other words, the first answer belongs to the rectangle which is most similar to the original base. The output of the program includes the method for the segmentation of the base, the radius of the cutting circle, the proportion of the sides of the suggested rectangle, and the relevant tolerance for every printed answer. The advantages of this program include the high level of accuracy and the possibility to check an infinite number of options in a very short time (in the current version of the program the variants are set in order that the program checks 1000 options to produce its outputs but this number can be adjusted by the user). After introducing the mathematical solution to the problem and writing the relevant program to do the calculations, the paper continues to include one example of its application to design one-footed and two-footed karbandis on a given base to show its capability and convenience. After that, the program is used to test the credibility of the empirical formula mentioned by master Pirnia. Nine different bases that are mentioned by Pirnia to show the application of the formula are used to compare the results. Surprisingly, it is observed that the Pirnia› s simple empirical formula in five cases out of nine cases produces the most exact answers produced by the program. Regarding cases in which the answer by the formula is not the most exact answer according to the program, it can be said that this difference reflects practical, structural, or aesthetical concerns of traditional architects. Therefore, the test shows that the formula used by Persian architects, though limited in its scope, was really a working formula that could be used as a useful basic guidance for designers of karbandis. This finding might be related to the historical fact that there were expert mathematicians who were interested in solving practical problems of professions like architecture and who devised simple mathematical solutions to be used by ordinary practitioners.

Today, concepts such as place attachment, sense of place, meaning of place, place identity, and. . . has devoted many studies in literature of architecture and urban design particularly in the field of environmental psychology. ImamZades, as a religious building, can help to the religious teachings. ImamZades were built in all over of Iran in different architectural styles. They during the course of history caused social unification and make the spiritual life of pilgrims and other people. Some of these buildings have been rehabilitated in recent decades due to various reasons such as the damage caused by the war or the effect of destructive natural disasters. The shape and space organization have been effective in terms of the level of place attachment. Any changes in the physical and mental dimensions of the building could have influenced its sense of place. Some ImamZades have been damaged in western and southern provinces during wartime or natural erosion, which has led to the rebuilding. The change of body, form and spatial systems can be effective on the spiritual senses of pilgrims and their geography of memory. The authors focus on understanding the relationship between physical-functional changes and sense of place, with the aim of examining the concept of the sense of place to recognize the most important indicators affecting its creation and promotion in ImamZades. The research question is what factors influence the formation of a sense of place in religious monumental buildings like as ImamZades? Two ImamZades in Ilam were selected and studied. In this regard, SPSS software was used for data analysis. To measure the relationship between variables, Pearson Correlation Method was used and Simple Linear and Multivariate Linear Regression tests were used to determine the relationship and intensity and direction of the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The Path Analysis was used to determine the direct and indirect effects of variables on the sense of place. According to the results, physical, perceptual, and social components have the most impact on Imamzadeh› s sense of place, and the functional component has less effect on the sense of place enhancement. Also, variables of visual diversity, social communication, vitality and spirituality are directly affecting the sense of place, and the variables of previous memories and attachments, spatial quality and activity are indirectly influenced by other variables on the sense of place in the imamzades. In other words, in order to promote the sense of place in the buildings of the religious shrine, physical interference should be minimized and changes made to changes and creation of communal spaces.

When architecture is discussed in the land of Iran, architecture is created as a container and context of life for human beings where the Spirit of God is blown in his (her) (Surah Al-Hijr-Verse 29), his existence is not limited to material needs, but he is a creature with different existential levels. It derives from the material needs such as eating and sleeping, and need for shelter, which arise from the material levels of human existence to the psychological needs that embrace a range of needs from security to belonging and levels of spirituality of human existence with its characteristics and needs in which the essence and basic instinct of humans lies. Iran is a country with long-standing architectural value. Experts have long a consensus on the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of Iran’ s past values to preserve cultural values representing the national identity. Identification of the past noble values and adopting the most important one in observing criteria in accordance with the circumstances of time and place of today› s society is considered the main problem. In this regard, we should try to recognize the Iranian-Islamic architectural values and reflect them to young professionals who are somehow involved in this issue. Today, it is tried to convey ideas and thoughts to others in the form of desired concepts and ideas using the meaning language which is indirect. In the meantime, valuable Iranian Islamic architecture, due to its comprehensive functionality as well as permanent and enduring presence in our culture, is considered more than before. Because maintaining Iranian – Islamic values and identity is one of the requirements, modern designers are obliged to think deeply about traditional architectural values and standards to get rid of the imitation and create a design in accordance with modern human expectations based on Islamic law. In this regard, architecture, due to direct contact with human life, plays an important role in strengthening or weakening culture and identity in the face of globalization, for all the people are associated with the architecture and their behaviors are shaped in these buildings. The importance and necessity of this issue, in challenging designers to think about the different aspects of the past architecture and special attention to the ancient fundamental values, is to enrich the design quality. The study has a qualitative and quantitative research method, because it used desk and field study to gather information. Its qualitative nature was created with research studies and literature review and its quantitative nature was shaped by choosing statistical population and preparing a questionnaire for the analysis. The identification of the past architectural values and selecting the most essential of them are considered as the main issue in the observance of the scales matching with the temporal and spatial conditions of the today’ s society. Efforts have to be constantly made for recognizing the Iranian-Islamic architectural values and reflecting them to the young experts who are somehow involved in this issue. The present piece of writing has been compiled based on a qualitative and quantitative method and the study has been conducted based on a survey method; the study is fundamental in terms of objectives. It is posited based on the selection of a process of the qualitative-descriptive type and its investigation based on a quantitative method that “ there is observed a significant relationship between meaning and contextual elements of architecture” . It might have been quite common in the past architecture, especially in the Islamic Era’ s architecture, that the manifestations and embodiments of the concepts stemming from the society’ s culture were manifested most beautifully in the architectural works hence more readily identifiable. Moreover, the principles that are dealt with in the resources are different in terms of prioritization and valuation; thus, experts’ notions have been used in this area to quantitatively discover these topics using survey methods. At first, in order to achieve sublimity in architecture through seeking assistance from the honorable Surah Hashr, Ā YA 23, and comparing it with the valuable architectural principles, it has been descriptively investigated and extracted and 15 professors were subsequently asked to confirm this information. Next, a questionnaire was codified and, in order to select a study sample volume comprised of the experts, including the professors and students of post-graduate education in state and national universities of the country, five universities were selected that included 120 individuals in total and, excluding the imperfect questionnaires, 100 questionnaires were finally attained. The data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 21, using statistical tests (one-sample t-test, twosample test, ANOVA test and Friedman test); the results have been offered in two descriptive and inferential methods. The results indicate that there is a significant relationship between the indicators of the concepts and the contextual elements in architectures. Furthermore, factors like semantic, climatic, structural and eventually technological indicators were respectively found with the highest degree of importance.

Urban planning seeks to improve the quality of life of the city› s residents. The way to achieve this is through recognizing the dimensions of life to the neighborhoods and the factors that influence it. On the other hand, the vitality of the environment is one of the missing circles in urban life. From the perspective of the West, sustainability has three dimensions: social, economic, and environmental. This research identifies the important dimension of semantic as the fourth factor of religious look. Because the perfection of life in the religious view is to reach the life of Tayyibah, and for this purpose, spiritual and spiritual dimensions of life should considered in order to establish human perfection and growth. This is possible if you live in a lively environment and neighborhood. In addition, no attempt has made to present a comprehensive approach to sustainable architecture based on Islamic teachings, which has the depth and comprehensiveness necessary for the functional dimensions of the environment and desirable neighborhoods. Therefore, this study aims to add the semantic dimension to the three dimensions of sustainability, to provide comprehensive model of sustainable architecture compatible with Islamic teachings to live and vitality of the neighborhoods. The method of this research is the combination method (quantitative and qualitative). Library studies have used to extract dimensions of sustainable living. In the next step, with a survey of experts and architects and urban planners, the significance of the model criteria has been determined, leading to a researcher-made questionnaire. Finally, the collected data analyzed through descriptive statistics. In this research, to identify the dimensions and characteristics of the Islamic area, the original Islamic texts (Quran and the traditions of the Imams (AS)) have investigated. The findings show that among the four dimensions of sustainability, social dimension in neighborhoods has the most importance in the vitality and living of the neighborhood. After that, the semantic dimension is most important in the religious space and the Neighborhood. In the third place, the environmental dimension in the neighborhood and the educational environment and at the last turn of the economic dimension in the neighborhood and the commercial space is contributing to the vitality of the neighborhood. At the end, Sustainable life strategies are given the priorities in the neighborhood design to create a neighborhood consistent with the Islamic worldview is developed.

The concept of contentment derived from the content is one of the names of Allah that in Islamic foundations has been emphasized. The traditional man, relying on these bases, to illustrate the divine names, he has tried in different aspects of his life. Architecture is one of the areas which these names appear in it and from a variety of architectures; the house provides the most possible for these traits to a Muslim. Accordingly, the present study sought to analyze the manifestation of the concept of contentment in the architecture of Iranian traditional houses. The results of this analysis can be used as doctrines for application in contemporary architecture. The research process is carried out as follows which after the terminology of this concept in literature and extracting synonyms and opposites with it these meanings are discussed in various Islamic texts including Quran verses, hadiths, infallible traditions (AS) and their interpretations. On the other hand, in the specialized literature of architecture, this issue is being examined and the issues that have been mentioned in this topic are extracted. Then, by analyzing and categorizing the findings, the principles related to contentment, which are feasible in architecture, are extracted. Due to the lack of specialized resources in relation to the various methods of presentation of the principles obtained, from the point of view of experts and architects also used for this purpose. Finally, after extracting the parameters related to each principle the depiction of the obtained items in the Mortaz House collection is analyzed as a case study. The results of the research showed that the concept of contentment in the architecture of Iranian traditional homes is based on four principles of Avoidance of futility, self-affirmation, moderation, and Rule of no injury.

Around the controversial subject of Seljuq architecture in Iran, the dominion of such a style in Islamic architecture, not only following the stereotype of «Razi Style»; which was proposed by Prinya, but also includes various irrelevant architectural axis. Further, considering various schools in Islamic architecture like Khurasani, Razi, Azari, and Isfahani, does not match the existence architectural specimens. Although in his book titled “ The Architecture of Islamic Iran: The Seljuk Period” , G. Hatam, tried to develop a new attitude towards Seljuk architecture in Iran, his conclusion was a reflection of previous studies in another language, focusing on describing plans and decorations; while, the architectural revolutions of structural developments were not considered. On the other hand, Hillenbrand’ s classification of tower tombs and dome chamber do not suffice to clarify tangible boundaries between different regions of Iran. By analyzing architectural revolutions of Iran after Arab invaders, it can be concluded that the political stability was one of the main factors of Seljuq dominion in which for the first time after Sassanid extinction, art and architecture had reached to considerable success. Although Seljuq architecture in Iran has been assumed as a follower of Sassanid architecture style, but the formation of Seljuq dynasty in Northeast Iran territories, the gradual transition of monarchy to west and the selection of Isfahan, as the last powerful capital of Iran during 5th and 6th centuries caused distinguish architectural movements in various parts of Iran which clarifying distinctive feature of that has always been underestimated. According to the historical context, Seljuks were the first dynasty which had expanded their boundaries through Minor Asia and Anatolia for the first time. Hence, by the first half of 11th century, an unprecedented wave of Turkic groups turned to the Northwestern Iran near the Byzantine borders. In other words, the domination of Byzantine world and conquering Anatolians were not possible without having this point of Iran. It› s not exaggeration if we consider here (Azerbaijan) as the collection of tombs; since, here is the frontier of Sunnis Muslim to meet the non-Muslim region Anatolia, where conflicts were in its peak. Hence, Azerbaijan was the garrison of Muslims and the presence of memorial buildings was for commemorating the ones killed in “ Jihad” (The Holy War) to motivate the others to get involved in the war. So, a building as a mausoleum must be the best reflection of this desire. In this way, the distribution of tombs is considerably prominent from Northeast to the Northwest of Iran. If we titled the Northeast-Northwest axis as the axis of “ Military Affairs” of Seljuk court with its powerful architecture focused on the tombs, central Iran would be the “ political-religious” axis of Seljuk. Undoubtedly, the high security level of central Iran and the position of populated political cities like Isfahan, the construction of mosques, especially dome chamber shaped the framework of religious architecture there. According to the results, authors have proposed two distinguishable axes for the structure of the domes during Seljuk era. One starts from the most northeastern point of Iran and ends to the most northwestern point of Iran. Emphasizing on double layer domes with conical and pyramid shape and pointed domes in the structures like Lajim Tower, Resget Tower, Chehel Dokhtaran Tower, Radkan Tower in northeastern Iran and Mumina Khatun, Yusif-ibn-Gosair and Gonbad-e-Surkh in northwestern Iran. the outer layer of the latter has reached its maximum height to preserve the structure against its pulverous climate, guarantying the stability of the structure by channeling the forces in a more vertical angle. This axis is in connection with the other one where it starts from Kharragan’ s towers and continues its direction to the central Iran in the structures. The character of this axis mainly includes double shield pointed domes whose interval is not considerable compared with the northeast-northwest axis. one important fact about northwestern Iran′ s Seljuk structure is the technique of strengthening the join point where two walls meet. Taking the advantages of circular buttresses where tension could damage the whole structure gives one important character to these buildings i. e. the possibility of higher structures by decreasing the width of the wall. Considering climatic variations, technical characteristics of different areas as well as the architectural necessities depended on social-political conditions, two different axis including Northeast-Northwest axis with the centrality of Tomb and the central axis which is the “ political-religious” axis of Seljuk› s emphasizing on dome chamber, would deform the stereotype of «Razi Architectural style» in Iran. From this point of view, spotlighting the architectural technology of Tombs and dome chamber during Seljuk period in Iran would reviews the unity of Seljuk architecture and shed new lights towards Iranian architecture. Since there has been no critical review about what is known as «The Iranian Stylistics of Architecture» which is proposed half a century before by Pirniya, this project would be the pioneer in this filed.

Space as an essential and integral concept of architecture has always included different meanings and understandings, and this reduced its original meaning to general architectural features. In addition, because this concept was created in the modern period, architects’ general understanding of its indicators has unilaterally been led to the concepts such as void, freedom and movement. Therefore, there has not been any true and comprehensive understanding to evaluate the indicators directly related to this concept. On the other hand, in Iranian-Islamic Architecture, space as the main element making form of the buildings has been considered much more than the material aspects, but due to the lack of a specific framework for explaining its physical indicators or modern sense of space, it has not properly been analyzed. The main purpose of this paper was to identify the principal indicators related to the concept of space and examine the relations, and this was achieved through purposeful analysis of basic definitions, Western viewpoints of architectural space, and perspectives of Iranian-Islamic architectural space. The paradigm of this study was qualitative and the methodology was based on documentary and library researches. In order to achieve a conceptual framework for analyzing the essential indicators of space in architectural works they were distinguished from general features and other concepts through analyzing and comparing of important perspectives and organizing existing structure in recognition of space. Finally, based on this model, the overall status of the indicators of space in Iranian-Islamic architecture and important periods of Western architecture were compared. An examination of architectural space indicators based on Western theories revealed three types of viewpoints: 1-According to this view, architecture was considered as the “ Art of Space” which has been on the path of historical evolution, and always conformed to “ dematerialization” (reducing the effect of the masses) and increasing the role of empty spaces. Clearly, on this view, the indicators were emphasized those which conformed to “ total freedom of space” , “ exposure” , “ permanent expansion” , and “ maximum relation” . 2-This thinking was almost the opposite of the first point of view. The theorists criticized the unlimited freedom of the space and looked for defining the new intricate and meaningful structures. It could be said that this view, influenced by phenomenological approaches, conformed to promote the concept of space to “ place” , caused to the sense of habitation and settlement, and emphasized the “ internalization” and “ preservation” as the main characteristics of the space. 3-In this view, the relative balance among the dual indicators of architectural space and their challenges were emphasized. Accordingly, fundamental characteristics of the architectural space in different periods were identified with no specific direction to one side of dual indicators. In fact, the balance between the inside and the outside was necessary. It meant that in order for space to be essentially recognized as real space, at least a part of this separation was needed. On the other hand, the complete separation was not usually correct too. The enclosure and protection of the inner space and the continuity between the inside and the outside both were inherently necessary and appeared differently depending on the period of each architectural work and its context. Iranian-Islamic views on the space were investigated both in art and architecture. In Iranian-Islamic art theories, two facts were revealed: 1-The emergence of imaginary and mysterious quality through the constant fluctuation between opposing characteristic and creation of dual concepts such as “ Hayaa” (modesty). 2-The balance between material and immaterial aspects in art to achieve two main goals: the existence of art and a trace or an echo of God. By reviewing the opinions of some experts in Iranian-Islamic architecture, such as Nader Ardalan, Darab Diba, Seyyed Hadi Mirmiran, Mohammad Reza Haeri, etc., it became clear that the dual indicators of space appeared in two different ways: In the first case, there was simultaneous presence of opposing dualities, such as void-mass, inside-outside, movement-stagnation, continuity-obstruction of vision, etc., and at the same time, the tendency to internal and limiting indicators. In the second, there was simultaneous presence of opposing dualities and the lack of inclination to one side: balance, ambiguity or fluctuation in dual indicators. The results of numerous analyzes indicated that, despite of intricate and extensive theories of architectural space and approaches derived from, they revealed certain forms of relations between the dual indicators in a “ spectral” framework. These indicators both at the basic level (fundamental indicators) and at the final model (extension of basic indicators) showed different tendencies, including the overcoming of liberating characteristics, overcoming of limiting characteristics, and the balance or fluctuation between the dualities. In a general comparison, it could be said that the indicators of the space in Iranian-Islamic architecture appeared balanced, vague, or mysterious, which had some similarities with spatial concepts prevailed in Postmodern architecture; and they were completely distinct from those of other periods of Western architecture.