Analysis of the Approach of Physical Contextualism in the Bazar of Ardabil City

Contextualism has evolved with the comprehension of its underlying message, emphasizing the link between environment and space in architecture. The traditional Bazar, as the most significant space, is considered a functional element and a pillar of the urban fabric. The research hypothesis is both correlational and directional, suggesting that the architecture of the Bazar embodies the principles of contextualism, and the concepts of signs can serve as tools for analyzing the value and semantic system to identify the guiding principles of contextualism within the framework of Umberto Eco’s semiotics theory. The research methodology initially employs a qualitative approach, specifically descriptive-analytical. It elaborates on the concept of contextualism by drawing from scholarly sources and formulating the physical contextual components. Utilizing the dimensions of Umberto Eco’s semiotics. In the subsequent phase, an analytical-comparative method is used to pinpoint the context and physical signifiers of the Ardabil traditional Bazar. The resulting findings indicate that the criteria of contextualism encompass two spatial and visual aspects, with nine criteria including position, volume, height, setback, scale, orientation, rhythm, material construction, and color. Furthermore, the physical components within the structure of the Ardabil traditional Bazar, aiming to establish order, spatial coherence, hierarchical structure, grandeur, and influence in the collective consciousness, affirm the interplay between physical contextualism and the concept of signs. This is because the physical structure represents a form of connection that, through its representational expression, establishes behavioral and functional patterns towards achieving objectives, subsequently symbolically representing the accomplishment of cultural goals.