Application of modeling tools in the architectural design process based on compass geometry principles

In this study, a design method is presented based on the compass geometry. After invention and development of Cartesian coordinates system, world had undergone a significant change and it is said that every technological device and architecture software such as laser cutters, 3-D printers, AutoCad, 3Ds Max and so forth, has been working with the principles of this geometrical system. Therefore, the compass geometrical space is long forgotten since the invention of the Cartesian coordinates system. So, due to this considerable alteration, the application of this geometrical system in Iran’s architecture had been forgotten after the world’s major development. The compass had been the main Iranian architect’s tool in the past eras and due to this fact, the designed products of that time were usually based on arcs, so it is argued that there has to be some fundamental differences with the compass geometry and Descartes geometry. There seems to be a relative approach in Cartesian geometrical system, on contrary, Iranian architects considered the geometry as a quite qualitative issue and because of this fact, the proportions between different parts of a building were much more important rather than the quantitative issues such as dimensions. The lack of architecture plans like the ones that are available in its current form regarded to be a crucial issue that has given rise to lack of acquaintance of methods and design devices of Iran’s historical architecture. This research tried to express the characteristics of this geometric space and the challenges that an architect may come across in the design process with this system and also its fundamental differences between Descartes’ geometric space. In addition, providing a simple model of a tool that can produce form in this geometric space is considered to be another important objective of this research. In order to achieve this purpose, at first, a paradigm based on the compass geometry space was simulated. At the next step, nine prototype tools with different capabilities were presented based on the simulated paradigm. And finally, a tool was designed and after that, a related architectural design was modeled with the designed tool. Presenting this tool and designing a prototype based on it are among the results of this article. The main questions of this research are: what are the origins of the compass geometry, what tools are needed, and how they can be used. Pursuing these questions would give rise to the results such as reproducing Persian architecture, more accurate analysis of this architecture, and providing a new tool that is compatible with Iranian culture. The methodology of this research was conducted based on a scientific paradigm which is associated with analogical reasoning that three strategies- comparison of Cartesian and the Compass geometry, logical strategy, and the simulation of the Compass geometry- have been carried out. To achieve this goal, at the first step, the roots of the current western architecture was explained and a comparative study between Descartes’ and compass geometry in Iran’s architecture was carried out. Then, the characteristics of compass geometry and the rules based on this geometrical space were explained. In the next step, the compass’ geometrical space was simulated based on this system. And finally, a design pattern was modeled and presented based on this geometry.