The qualities of good architecture, through reflection on the meaning of building

To build, is one of the most used words and the most fundamental actions in architecture and human life. The semantic extension of this word and its use in various fields indicate that it has a richness and fertility in the Persian literature. Reflection on the meaning and origin of "building" could connect us to an original and generator source, so that the plurality of meanings in a coherent system could achieve what the essence of architecture is in search of it; and provide qualities or criteria for identifying and evaluating good architecture. Research Question: To achieve the goal, two main questions of the research, can be formulated as follows: 1) What is the relation between building and architecture? 2) How can semantics of building represents the qualities of good architecture? Research

This research is qualitative in terms of approach. The research method is descriptive-analytical based on philology and logical reasoning. In the first part of the paper, which is descriptive, it has been attempted to clarify the various meanings of building and the historical evolution of its meaning, by using Persian lexicons and etymological dictionaries. In the second part, which is analytical and argumentative, it has been attempted to infer the qualities and components of good architecture, through reflecting on the meanings and origin of the word “building” and analyzing its explicit and implicit concepts.

According to the synchronic and diachronic semantics of building, it can be briefly defined as "preparing the universe through composition-reconciliation, for human perfection" in which, preparing, refers to "what", composition- reconciliation, refers to "how", and human perfection, refers to "why" of building. Building (to build) takes place in two different areas (external and internal) that are interconnected: only one can build the world who is built (ready/prepared); on the other hand, only a built (prepared) world can helps building human beings. These two areas of building, form a transcendental cycle, in which each one transcends the other. The multiple meanings of building, are the aspects and examples of a unique affair, and therefore, building (to build) is a semantic homonym and is an integrated and unified matter. The compositional feature of building -which leads to making peace, accordance, adaptability, fitness, and sufficiency- is the most fundamental aspect of building that has been neglected in the contemporary architecture. On the other hand, the end of building, which is preparation for human perfection, is another neglected matter in the contemporary era. Since architecture is one of the fields of building, it must be matched with it and the limits of building must be applied in architecture as well. Today's common notion of building, is limited to creation, transformation, and change, none of which is good in itself. While reflecting on the comprehensive and complete meaning of building, gives us an image that includes various existential and value attributes that could correctly limit building (in its common sense) and thus could transcend it. Building, in its complete sense of the word, is closely related to good architecture, and its meanings and implications reflect the qualities/criteria of good architecture, including: moderation/balance, order, consistency, proportion, coherence, harmony, sufficiency, establishment, and philanthropy.