Tectonic in Architecture: Dual Nature of Tectonic Relationships in Some Contemporary Architectural Works in Iran

The illustration of the concept of oneness by an artist requires a specific definition of architecture that is able to expand its physical and structural indices and aesthetic instrumentation into a spiritual framework. This attitude is in compliance with the tectonic concept. Tectonic in architecture has two key interpretations: Theory of internal structure of artistic work and the formation and linkage of form elements to achieve harmony. This paper has two goals:  First, the principles and criteria of the oneness of architectural work to investigate the compliance of its core and artistic forms and second, the assessment of four great architectural works of contemporary architecture in Iran based on these criteria to measure the compliance of the core and artistic forms.

This was an applied descriptive-analytical study. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to assess the compliance of core and artistic forms of the samples based on the given criteria and goal.

Results showed better compliance between the core and artistic forms of the Senate (Islamic Consultative Assembly) building than the other three works (Azadi Tower, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, and City Theater of Tehran). As a result, this building has greater compliance between the technical and conceptual-semantic dimensions.

Findings of this study direct architectural discussions towards using the tectonic expression as an instrument for harmonizing and integrating aesthetic and technological subjects in the design process of the contemporary works.