Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

The Contribution of Modern Architecture to the Authentic Patterns of Iranian-Islamic Outward-Facing Architecture in Gilan

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Samaneh Mirzadeh 1
Mahmud Rezaei 2
Fateme Shahroodi 3
1 Department of Art Research, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Urban Design and Planning,, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Art Research, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran.Iran
10.22034/ias.2022.223788.1215
Abstract
Gilan, located in northern Iran, features a unique outward-facing Iranian-Islamic architectural style, which serves as a valuable model globally. Given the diverse geography of Iran, various architectural styles are prevalent, and utilizing their valuable aspects can be effective in global architecture. Compared to inward-facing architectural styles and those of the Persian Gulf coast, less research has been conducted on outward-facing architecture and the effective continuation of patterns derived from Gilan's values in modern Iranian architecture. This study uses the Delphi method, incorporating the opinions of twenty prominent theorists in architecture, urban planning, restoration, and art research. The findings indicate that indigenous Gilan architecture contains valuable objective and subjective patterns for creating architectural spaces in modern times, which can be applied by modern architects using the "analogy method." The consensus among experts in this study highlights the lesser contribution of modern Iranian architecture to outward-facing styles compared to inward-facing ones and the Persian Gulf coast style in Iran. However, the outward-facing nature emphasized by designers in the latter two categories has been more influenced by European references. Gilan's outward-facing architecture possesses unique values in aspects such as facade, ornaments, materials, building placement, organization, spatial diversity, functionality, space differentiation and boundaries, and connection with nature, making it suitable as a source for the analogy method in design.
Research Objectives:

Expanding the concepts and practical elements in Iranian-Islamic outward-facing architecture of Gilan.
Educating and continuing the presentation of ancient, indigenous, and Islamic art values to new generations in Iran and the world.

Research Questions:

What is the nature of Iranian-Islamic outward-facing architectural patterns in Gilan, and what impact have they had on modern architecture?
How does the utilization of Iranian-Islamic outward-facing architectural patterns in Gilan compare to other indigenous patterns in this region (inward-facing and Persian Gulf coast styles)?
Keywords
Iranian-Islamic outward-facing architecture
analogy design method
modern Iranian architecture
indigenous architectural pattern of Gilan
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