نشریه مطالعات معماری ایران
سال سوم شماره 5 (بهار و تابستان 1393)

Patkâné، Based on Pirnia’s definition is formed out of tiers of niche. Each tier is projected and extended farther out from the course bellow. Development of this element has led to conformation of one of the most interesting and complicated vaults in Persian architecture that mostly is not known as a single vaulting type due to its similarity to some other ones. This paper arranged to answer a fundamental question that “What is the essence of Patkâné as a vaulting type? To answer this question، the paper reviews the historical background of formation of Patkâné through referring primitive cases. Consequently، data about these cases is gathered through “Direct observation” and surveying of selected cases، “in-depth interviews” with contemporary traditional architects (Masons) and studying limited available written references. Then، formal and structural geometry of the cases is presented by the means of preparing 3D-Model of their structure and architecture. And finally، comparing and analysis of findings through a descriptive-analytic method result in achieving to a deeper understanding about essence of Patkâné and its elements. Accordingly Patkâné since its appearance is relative with the concept of creation of squinches in dome chambers of pre-Islamic architecture. In the next era development of technical science of Muslim architects led in the formation of ribbed arch which was covered by to niches. This structural element applied in four corners of transitional zone of dome chamber as a promoted solution. Finally، in the mid of the fourth century combination of ribbed arches in different levels resulted in formation of stratified space under the ribbed arches and consequently horizontal and vertical development of niches. This made a single new vaulting type which can be called as Patkâné.

There are different factors effective in making policies and plans for conservation of cultural heritage in Iran. This paper aims to study and review structural changes of Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran which were made by important cultural، social، political، and economic changes and events of Iran and have a significant role in the process of making policies and plans for conservation of cultural heritage. The main object of this paper is to study and explain the evolution of policies and plans adopted for the conservation of cultural heritage، especially from the prospective of the Cultural Heritage Organization. For this purpose، a qualitative research method with interpretivist strategy has been employed to explain and interpret the subject of research. To collect the data required for this research; library and documentary methods، structured and in depth interviews with experts، mainly the directors of the Cultural Heritage Organization، have been used. The content of the issues، provided in this paper، are based on the interpretations and explanations of the interviews. The findings of this research show that the regulations of the five year socio economic development plan and structural changes have taken place at the national level، including the Islamic Revolution in Iran، Iraq – Iran war، accompanied with the changes in the top management of the Cultural Heritage Organization; have had different effects on the process of making polices and planning for conservation of cultural heritage in Iran. The studies show that most successes in conservation of heritage have been achieved when there had been higher convergence between the macro development plans and the objectives of the Cultural Heritage Organization. In addition، the reviewing and analysis of the regulations of the 1st up to the 5th Five Year Development Plans، especially the 3rd and 4th Development Plans، indicate the provision of strategies and adoption of effective policies and measures for conservation of cultural heritage by the Cultural Heritage Organization and other related organizations.

from philosophical، structure، form of architecture and ornaments point of view، Minarets are one of the key elements of Islamic architecture that need to be researched and contemplated in these four areas. In Iran، Building minarets as a mean of spiritual guidance started before Islam and reached to its peak in Seljuk period. This structure was first built near important routes، plains، inside cities or near the important mosques as a standalone structure. However، by passing time، this element became a part of mosques، schools and shrines and seems to be used as a place for calling people to prayer. The purpose of this study is investigating and analysis of three important minarets of Seljuk era comparatively. Because the design، construction and decorations of Seljuk minarets are one of the masterpieces of Iranian architecture، we investigate in three main minarets of this era called Damghan’s Tarikhane mosque، Isfahan’s Chehel Dokhtaran Minaret and Saveh’s Jami mosque. Besides، studying present work on these structures، this paper presents the plan and the design of decorative elements for the aforementioned Minarets. Finally these elements are compared against each other in a series of tables and a model for future research is presented.

Gardens as simulacrums of Heaven have been supposed sacred in Iranians’ beliefs. Despite the common notion that Iranian gardens have had an invariant identity and template over time، the main features of the garden have been very variable in different periods. Physical diversities have become more obvious and sensible according to religious ritual changes which offer different definitions and characteristics for ideal paradise. This study aims to investigate the main features of Sassanid gardens، achieve the overall pattern of them and recognize their changes under the influence of Islamic era. In this way the main cause of physical differences is determined according to the various characteristics of an ideal haven in Zoroastrianism and Islam religions. In this paper، citing religious teachings to the Avesta and the Holy Quran and other sources، to describe the characteristics mentioned in the Gardens will be explained. Then comparative method is used to verify the theoretical foundations of Iran during Sassanid and Islamic period to adapt the components and elements of Persian Gardens to these theoretical foundations (Zoroastrian and Muslim). This method allows us to compare the characteristics of Sassanid and Islamic gardens with the main features of Ideal gardens described in Avesta and Quran. In addition، the physical diversities under the effect of different theoretical foundations are determined. Studies show gardening and garden art is a fixed compartment of all cultures and its evolution is influenced by functionality and religious concepts. Characteristics and symbols associated with garden architecture are on the basis of religious Beliefs and the characteristics of ideal heaven. The differences in theoretical part results in various architectural characteristics: nature was considered sacred in religions such as M. (Mitrayi)، Mzdysna and Zoroastrian، but the arrival of Islam، respect for nature was replaced by it’s consecration. Consequently، significant physical changes in terms of extroversion – introversion، location، number of floors of the palace and… are observed in Persian gardens. Studies indicate that Sassanid gardens are more introverted than Islamic ones. However، defining special boundaries for gardens became popular in Islamic era. There are other physical differences such as plan division، axes، number of floors and etc. between the gardens of these two eras.

This research attempts to study the Salmasi House –a house built in the Qajar period and its relation to the cultural context by assuming the house as a cultural expression. To this end، the theoretical framework of this research is based on Amos Rapoport’s environement behavior theories to develop a methodology for study of Persian Architecture. His three phase analytical method of dismantling، analysis and synthesizing is employed: first the notions of culture and environment are dismantled; then their relationships are analyzed; and finally، a synthesis of these elements leads to a generalized theory for a better understanding of the linkages between the house and its context. Three methods were used for data collection: preliminary studies on temporal and locational context of the house، interviews with older inhabitants of the house، and a formal study of the house. The findings of the research demonstrate how the physical form of the house adapts to the needs and cultural characteristics of its inhabitants. At last according to experience of doing this research، some restrictions and cautions recommended to be considered in study of precedent houses.

Any section or space in architecture that connects other sections or spaces called a joint. This research proposes using the word "Articulation" instead "Joint", on the basis of the etymology of both words. So in this abstract, the concept of "joint" is meant anywhere the word "Articulation" is mentioned. The present research deals with theoretical aspects of architecture. Its primary goal is to carry out an etymological analysis of the word "articulation", although an attempt is done to pave the way for achieving more ambitious goals in the future. They include exploring the nature of articulation and coming up with its design processes. The central argument of this research is that "an articulation is something more than a sheer connection". Since etymology makes up a major portion of this article, a documentary study is conducted, while methods of description and analysis are adopted to develop the study. Regarding an articulation as both connection and disjunction area is the starting point of the research. This will lead to a number of the most important findings of the present study. Articulation comes with harmony between different parts of a structure. It also gives meaning to the concept of "whole". Articulation has the potential to serve as the coordinating element in architecture. Articulatory components have to undergo appropriate changes to fit together and create balance.

One of the concepts which have been mostly discussed in architecture studies is the concept of “center”. In the field of art and architecture، theorist like Christian Norberg-Shults، Rudolf Arnhiem and Christopher Alexander، have based their theories on this concept. By referring to their studies، it will be clarified that each one of them have different point of view to this aspect. Therefore، by gathering and putting their theories together، not only this concept won’t be more explicit but also increases its ambiguity. In this article، by contemplating on different opinions about “center” and also finding their proper position، we try to disambiguate of this concept. To achieve this goal first of all various aspect of “center” will be unfolded throughout the studies of the theorists. Afterward by contemplating on their opinions، it will be cleared that although they all utilized the same word، but it seems that they consider different type of this meaning. Therefore the hierarchy of “center” will be extracted، nominated and illustrated. By thematic analysis، five clusters will be nominated for this concept، which are: intrinsic، essential، semantic، functional، template (artificial and natural) center. “Center” like any other concepts in cosmos have “hierarchy meaning” from physical appearance to inner conscience، which affects all aspect of architecture. The variety of the theories in explaining the concept of center is caused because of this hierarchy meaning. Therefore we can discuss about the “modes of center”.

Jafarabad School is located in the ancient Borkhar plain 50 kilometers to the north of Esfahan. It was first discovered by the authors of this paper. This descriptive and analytical research aims at finding answers to the following questions: When was this School built? Why was it built in Jafarabad? Why was this spot in the town chosen for building it? How is it related to other monuments? Accordingly، this school was registered and documented carefully after conducting a superficial archeological study of Jafarabad''s remains and cultural data. In the second part of this research the historical texts and written sources especially some old itineraries، local geographical and historical texts related to the Safavid and Qajar eras، as well as some contemporary sources were studied. The relationship between Jafarabad and other dwelling places in the Borkhar plain was also taken into account. Results indicate that Jafarabad School was built in the last years of the Safavid Era، probably during the Sultan Hossein Safavi reign. The reason it was built in Jafarabad was that this area had great urban importance as well as being so special in terms of its location in comparison to other dwelling places in the Borkhar plain during the Safavid era. The school''s spot in town is an indication of Jafarabad''s urban development during the Safavid era and also a measure to increase economic capacities for meeting the cost of running the school and preserving its life.