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سال بیستم شماره 119 (اردیبهشت 1402)

Problem statement:

 Space syntax refers to a set of theories and techniques concerned with understanding spatial configuration and its impact on the formation of social relations in architecture and urban environments. The present study investigated cases of contemporary housing in Isfahan to explore the overall structure of contemporary housing and examine whether space syntax analyses have managed to play an influential role in understanding the relationship between spatial configuration and behavioral patterns. It also manifests the spatial-social structure of contemporary housing in Isfahan. It would appear that space syntax has been generally quite effective in understanding the relationship between built space and residents’ behaviors; however, the vital role of each space’s unique attributes cannot be overlooked.

 Research objective:

The present study seeks to investigate the capabilities of space syntax in predicting social interactions based on a space syntax analysis of contemporary housing.

To achieve research goals, five cases of single-unit dwellings constructed over the recent decade were examined through justified graphs and VGA analysis. Interviews with dwellers were then held to develop behavioral pattern maps based on the components of interaction establishment. These maps were later compared through logical reasoning, based on which the manner of interaction establishment between space configuration and individuals’ interaction in the formation of the contemporary housing’s spatial-social system was compiled.

Space syntax analysis at a general and macro scale can prove beneficial in setting boundaries and forming behaviors based on the interactions between the components of contemporary housing. However, its efficiency declines at a smaller scale when the audience develops a closer relationship with space components, in which case environmental analyses become more effective.

Problem statement: 

Tabriz, one of the most important cities, during the Qajar era includes historic houses located in the Nobar neighborhood fabric. These historic houses are precious heritage used to analyze and develop design models. On the other hand, archetypal concepts have an outstanding situation in the physical structure of landmark monuments in the past. It seems there are latent notions in the designs of the Qajar houses of Tabriz, in addition to house formation patterns.

 the present study aimed at finding the association between archetypal concepts in Qajar houses located in the Nobar neighborhood and their similarities and differences.

this is a qualitative study in terms of content and a historic-analytical study in terms of research structure. This study used grounded theory for data analysis.

This study found similar meanings and different indicators in houses located in the Nobar neighborhood by extracting the components shaping archetypal concepts and content analysis of transcripts by coding these contents. In terms of micro-spaces attributed to buildings in the closed part, the most similarity was observed in the ponds, while the lowest similarity was seen in the entrance regarding the application of archetypal concepts. Moreover, there are equal similarities and differences in closed spaces. In semi-open spaces, similarities exceed differences in porches. Finally, differences are greater than similarities in courtyards and balconies regarding open space. Therefore, despite the shared spaces in the studied houses and apparent similarities in their geometrical formation, the differentiated concepts exceed the similar ones implying different patterns and designs of historic houses during the Qajar era.

Problem statement: 

Grotesque is one of the presentations used in art to manifest different figures compared to the usual ones. It tries to depict fear and humor together by creating monstrous content by distorting the truth and disfiguring it. According to metaphysical thinking, the ideal body is a healthy organization, while the grotesque style challenges, disturbs, and sometimes reconstructs the rules of such a physical structure. The grotesque body is one of the main concepts proposed by Mikhail Bakhtin; he believes it is an unfinished body that is constantly in the act of turning and becoming; It is a concept arising from the carnival and grotesque realism; A novel and renewed event that takes place in association with these two concepts. In the illustrated horoscopes (Falnama/ Falnameh), there is an image with the theme of the ‘Dābbat al-Arḍ ’ (Beast of Earth). This painting has special visual features that match the characteristics of the grotesque and can be analyzed based on Bakhtin’s opinions in this regard.

The present research, by applying the characteristics of the grotesque in the image of Dābbat al-Arḍ  in Falnama books, analyzes the characteristics proposed by Bakhtin with regards to the carnival and the grotesque body in the figure of Dābbat al-Arḍ .

It is a qualitative study attempting to match grotesque’s characteristics to the image of Dābbat al-Arḍ . In the next step, based on the mentioned theory, the figure of Dābbat al-Arḍ was analyzed based on Bakhtin’s views on the grotesque body. Data was collected from the library and documentary resources.

The research findings have shown that a number of grotesque features such as terrifying, hilarious, exaggerated, unusual and nonuniformity aspects all are detectable in the image of Dābbat al-Arḍ . Moreover, the characteristics such as incompleteness, sense of death, mask (distortion), contradiction and duality, entanglement, and amputation, which were proposed by Bakhtin in relation to the carnival and the grotesque body, can similarly be observed in the figures of Dābbat al-Arḍ .

Problem statement: 

Recent developments in construction have resulted in divergence and reduction in the effective communication of the relationship between form, space, site, and architecture, which in turn reduces the audience’s experience and recognition of the inherent and actual concept of the building. Meanwhile, tectonics, as a long-standing technique, with a concept of poetic art can provide a solution for modern architecture which lacks feelings of architecture. Tectonic attitude can be defined as a factor, unifying space and form in relation to the site.

 Research objectives:

This study attempts to examine the relationship between space tectonics and the physical form of cultural buildings of contemporary architecture in Iran in the last four decades, via semantic measurement technics.

This study is descriptive-analytical using a mixed method. Theoretical foundations of research and field study were combined and sources, documents, as well as texts were examined using the library method. The main technique was measuring the connotative meaning associated with the concepts of contemporary cultural buildings in identical periods via the semantic differentiation scale. The appropriate pattern was extracted based on analysis and experts’ opinions.

The main finding of the research implies that there is no significant linear relationship between space tectonics and physical form in any of the periods. The conceptual model components are explained such that a change in space tectonics does not lead to a change in the physical form of the building. Therefore, it can be concluded that the form of contemporary architecture in Iran is different from space tectonics even in the conceptual image of people.

Problem statement: 

mental-visual perception and processing mainly take place in a certain direction of the vision field. Viewing and processing a visual field has start and end points, extension, and dominant direction. Most designers are not aware of the way the perceptual system of the mind works. This lack of knowledge causes the selection of forms and positions of visual elements not to be in accordance with the processing patterns of the mind. Analyzing and knowing how the mechanism of visual perception works makes it a more effective design of every element. This type of approach leads to more scientific reasons for descriptive and sometimes ambiguous aesthetic analyses.

The purpose of this research is to find the desired extension and scope in the field of vision and also the direction of reading visual works of art and architecture in the cultural and linguistic context of the right-hand writing community in the cognitive sciences template.

This research is based on the theoretical research literature and content analysis of the findings in parallel with experimental tests in an analytical structure. Therefore, this research is considered descriptive-analytical research with a scientific interpretation of descriptive topics and findings.

Language habits and the direction of reading texts in different cultures, although they cannot be completely unaffected, but the range, orientation and desired visual direction are dependent on the mechanism of mental perception, and writing direction is not considered the main factor. Reading and processing along the horizontal line take place from left to right due to the spatial orientation of the mind in the left area of the visual field. This issue is independent of language teachings in orthographic cultures. The orientation of the mind in reading visual works is related to brain structure and perception mechanism, which is caused by the inherent asymmetry of the brain. This mental bias to left will lead to horizon preference. Different areas in a landscape are not perceived and valued equally. Therefore, the importance of each form in space depends on the position of the observer’s visual field.

Problem statement: 

Façade committees were added to the Tehran Municipality’s Administrative structure in 2014 to guide the design process, emphasizing identified facades and taking a step to create coherence and harmony in urban walls (or facades). Although some efforts have been made, these committees face many complex challenges, such as a lack of harmony between façade committees and urban management institutions. There is also a lack of unity in issuing building Permission, façade control, and the personal influence of the committee members on the projects. Furthermore, these committees face other challenges: lack of integrated regulations, lack of connection between committees, lack of sanction on approved projects, long-time hearings for cases, and eroding process. The mentioned issues have challenged the continuity of committees in the Tehran Municipality body.

The extant study aims are to evaluate current procedures in available scenario areas and subsequently formulate future-study scenarios by identifying and classifying existing challenges, reviewing global literature, and applying it to a pathological assessment of the conducted measures.

The present study was carried out critically using the mixed research method. In the qualitative phase, indicators affecting the clarification of procedures were derived from interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. Another set of data was gathered through attending meetings. Indicators were evaluated and validated in the quantitative phase using inferential analyses and case studies. Finally, the suggested strategies and projects were presented to improve the quality of façade committees using the “Analysis of Interconnected Decision Areas” (AIDA) technique.

Six prospect scenario elements were identified to resolve weaknesses: how committees continue their work, how to approve façades of landmark buildings, the appeal process, extra- and inter-organizational communications, feasibility, and the procedural and qualitative structure of meetings and the elements mentioned above allow converting threats to opportunities in the form of Tehran City’s façade committees within different stages. The mentioned elements could provide some strategies for maximum, medium, and minimum options.