مجله صفه
پیاپی 94 (پاییز 1400)

The present research studies the use of Grounded Theory methods in architectural education. The question here is whether the application of these methods can improve students’ comprehension of the design subject. The study is based on analysing an exercise based on these methods and focused on the ‘eivan’. It pursues an applied objective using a descriptive analytical method. It starts with analysing contents of the literature extracting their relevant aspects, and then moves on to present and analyse an exercise designed to use Grounded Theories methods. A comparison is then made between students’ initial perceptions about the eivan with their post-exercise perceptions to measure potentials of the application of Grounded Theories in architectural education. The results show that this method help students expand, correct and make accurate their perceptions, thereby approaching more key aspects of the subjects.

On top of indicating their significance, Safavid domed structures are valuable examples of design and construction techniques. Evolved from their Timurid precedents, they have initiated established regional styles which demand more research. Based on case studies, the present survey studies geometries, proportions and their relationship with structural systems in a number of Tafresh tombs based on library and on-site collected data using logical, geometric and software-based analyses, in order to eventually study the structure of the double-shell domes. This is done through examining the relationship between geometric and structural order of the whole building. Thus, the research questions are ‘what is the relationship between the structural order of the discontinuous double-shell domes and the overall geometry and proportions of the building’, and ‘what are the principles used in the design and construction of these domes’. The results show that their designs are based on those basic forms that implement golden proportions in different parts of the building. Also, the overall geometry of plans and the building’s hidden geometries, especially in their sections and façades, affect the structural order of their domes and create a connection between theoretical and practical geometry in such a way that the dimensions of the plan are effective in determining the span, the thickness of the drum and the thickness of the dome's base. The dome’s height is commensurate with the ceiling height of the building, with the dome height and stiffeners; height having a golden proportion.

Students learn important educational, environmental, and social skills in schools' open space, which serves as a place for both playing and studying, and hence among important spaces in schools. The open space, therefore, demand special specifications to meet all needs of students, including thermal comfort in schoolyards. Determining thermal comfort range is complicated, and varies for people with different backgrounds, expectations, cultures, ages, and genders. The present study aims to determine thermal comfort range and neutral temperature in Isfahan girls' elementary schools' open spaces. Three schools were chosen to represent the three climatic zones in the province, in Naeen, Meymeh, and Shahreza; which have hot and dry, moderate and dry, and semi cold zones respectively. Then climatic variables such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed were obtained in their schoolyards, using a temperature and humidity data logger and anemometer, with 500 students having completed a questionnaire. In the second stage, the thermal index of physiological equivalent temperature was calculated using Rayman software, and the range of thermal comfort and neutral temperature of girls aged 7 to 13 in Isfahan was calculated using statistical software and a linear regression diagram. According to the findings, the neutral temperature was 17.4°C, and the thermal comfort range was 13.6°C to 32°C, which is inconsistent with Ashrae and Iso 7730 standards, and even previous Isfahan thermal comfort studies. This highlights the importance of working out thermal comfort for various ages and genders in Iranian cities. The 17.4°C percent neutral temperature suggests that the sample population is to relatively colder conditions.

In the recent decades, the geometric layouts and morphological elements of cities have increasingly been recognised as influencing the formation and intensification of the urban heat island phenomenon, with many researches conducted on finding the indicators representing these issues in various scales. Although the spatio-temporal effects of these indicators, as well as models for their interpretation and classification has been the subject of some recent studies worldwide, these studies are almost entirely missing for Iranian cases. The present paper studies and assesses the relationship between the land surface temperature and the morphological parameters of the built environment according to the concept of local climate zones, which is a standard framework for describing the form and function of cities in urban climate studies. The local microclimate zones of the Tehran metropolitan area have been studied and assessed based on the method proposed by the World Urban Database and Access Portal Tools. They are classified under seventeen groups in terms of their building geometries and land cover, with a resolution of 100 meters, using Landsat 8 satellite imagery data over the course of a year, integrated by geographic information systems and earth monitoring tools such as Google Earth, ArcGIS and SAGA GIS. The results of spatial and statistical analyses showed that over a year, the highest intensity of surface urban heat islands was related to areas without structures, as well as large-scale, low-rise industrial zones, with high-density, high-rise, and low-density low-rise classes having the least differences with the average land surface temperature. Also, the high-density, low-rise and mid-rise structures have had the lowest average temperature in the whole city during the year.

The present study seeks to discover the factors influencing the quality of the housing environment and propose strategies to improve quality in the case study, Mehr housing named Hesa in Pardis New Town. Housing environment quality is dynamic, complex, and multidimensional, comprised of various physical, social, economic, and environmental aspects, which can affect resident satisfaction. The nature of the research is qualitative but due to the extraction of measurable criteria and a combination of methods quantitative measurements are used in the form of correlation methods. Employing structural equations, the formative factors of housing environment quality were measured as independent variables, and satisfaction was measured as a dependent variable. The results indicate a dissatisfaction with the safety and environmental aspects of the residential environment, and with the facilities and physical characteristics of the residential unit in Hesa project. They also indicate the importance of social and environmental issues at neighbourhood scale and the physical quality of residential unit at architecture scale. Based on results, strategies for improving the quality of the environment were developed using the AIDA technique. Using the analysis technique of decision-making areas, AIDA, different scenarios of improving the quality of the residential environment are presented, followed by an evaluation of them, resulting in the selection of the scenario which strategy is the centralised development of public welfare services and leisure providers as well as the development of roads and infrastructure (sewerage system, etc.), improving the quality of the residential unit and environmental safety.

The analysis of the extent and severity of urban fabric vulnerabilities helps urban planners and managers to make appropriate decisions and select solutions, controls, and countermeasures against potential risks. So, this study aims to evaluate the vulnerability of new (Zone 1) and old (Zone 4) fabrics in Urmia against air raids, based on passive defence indicators. In order to do so, 10 indicators were selected through a literature study. At first, the information layers of the indicators are digitised and prepared in GIS, and then the significance coefficient calculated by AHP method was factored in. It showed that in the new fabric 23% of areas have very low vulnerability, with 29% in low, 39% moderate, 8% high, and 1% very highly vulnerable zones. In the old fabric, 11% were in very low, 39% in low, 43% moderate, 6% high vulnerability, and 1% very high vulnerability zone. In general, it can be said that the vulnerability in zone 4 is greater than zone 1. The results show that the amount of vulnerability in the old fabric is higher than the new fabric.

Minarets play influential roles in historical cities like Isfahan. They have had a range of functions, and have their distinct architectural, structural and ornamental characteristics. The underlying belief in this research is that the formation of Isfahan’s minarets’ components is directly influenced by brick-laying models, master masons’ skills, plan forms and ornaments. The present research aims at introducing components of the minaret and studying examples of it in Isfahan, and thereby analysing their form and execution. Descriptions are given from functional, structural and formal points of view. Typological studies and classifications are complemented by construction analyses. Data is collected through library studies, on-site observations and surveys and interviews with master builders. These are followed by extracting geometric, typological and structural orders through 3D modelling. Minarets and their components are initially introduced, in order to then focus on their typologies based on their location, number of floors, plan form, overall form, stairway and base, and eventually construction methods. The findings show that plan-wise Isfahan minarets are clockwise, circular, with their external wall thickness increasing with their overall height. Volume-wise the city’s freestanding minarets are cylindrical or part-conical both with and without a base. There are two types of timber restraints used in these minarets with external walls constructed vis-à-vis stairways to provide structural integrity ('Hasht and Gir').