Contemporization of the Concept of Semantic Authenticity in Tehran's Architectural City Scape

Today, the issue of identity crisis has become one of the main concerns in the domain of architectural spaces, especially in countries with culturally rich backgrounds which seek original features in a purposeful solution. This is also true of the Iranian architectural space which, connected deeply to its culture, can conceive an authentic model related to the architecture of the modern urban façades. The main inquiry of this study revolves around this fundamental question: “What elements are analytically included inthe study of the semantic authenticity in urban facades of the city of Tehran?” It could be concluded that, based on the theory of origin of Zancheti, et al., understanding the concept of “originality” is possible through three elements: the physical – environmental element, the physical element and the element of meaning in urban landscapes.  Furthermore, the authentic façadesfollow three elements: first, the clarity in the building structure, second,the connection with the environment and the urban space and third,the affiliation to the longstanding and meaningful objects.  In order to create original façades in today's urban architectural design, one needs to identify the construction of the building facade, followed by a systematic study of the physical and semantic relations to perceive its semantic authenticity as veiled codes in the facades. The aim of this study is to emphasize the structural authenticity in the city of Tehran by devising a framework in the original semantics. Therefore, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods is used. Thus, in the qualitative phase, the characteristics are examined through “Grounded-Theory” method.In the quantitative phase, however, the significance of the characteristics is determined using the SWARA method. The data collection method is based on field data, library research, and involves a questionnaire containing 24 questions. The selection of examples include monuments of contemporary architecture that have a wide range of impact and hold the following characteristics due to their superior views: 1-In the first and second “Pahlavi” Era; 1931-1966. 2- Iranian cultural roots are also meticulously studied. 3-There are genuine architectural signs and patterns. In the selection of this study, twopoints are more conspicuous than others: the importance of the works of the selected buildings and the significance of their relative era.The physical analysis of the contemporary architectural works in the first and second “Pahlavi” Erasuggests thatproper design methods were applied in the structural proportions widely employed by the architects of the timeto originate a basic method in architecture. They follow a pattern that facilitates the process of the original design by employing it in view and intensify the validity of the façade.   According to this research, the production of an authentic urban facade has a direct connection with the creation of meaningful elements that are linkedto one another through time. This study considers roots as the basis of originalitywhich is perceived through an accuratedesign analysis of the architecture of PahlaviEra. The semantic authenticity of the façade is comprehended through semantic elements which areassociated with the city,the effective light,the turning point,the vitality and mobility, the memorability, and the domestic materials.