Searching the Design Criteria Based on Historical Studies, the Case Study of Designing the Saadi Tomb

One of the most striking monuments in Iran for a long span of time has been the tomb. The tomb is a method to remind the memory of religious leaders, authorities, scholars, poets and so on. Received another function more than burial capability, these monuments, have regarded as blatant elements in architecture. Presently, to design the tomb is an important issue which needs to be analyzed more comprehensively; specially, due to the absence of apt knowledge about these essential tenets about construction of such a monument. The main goal of this article is to review the pertinent theoretical frameworks which is related to the tombs and to expatiate their characteristics from geographical and historical point of view. The result of such a research will be a body of tenets related to design of the tombs which is going to be implemented in re-designing Saedi's tomb in Shiraz. Theoretical framework of the article includes: the definition of tomb, their principles, cultures and ceremonies of visiting these places, and the history of burial demeanors in regard to these monuments. Its methodology, is in relationship with typology of meanings, typology of functions, and typology of physical aspects of these tombs.Expanse of Iran offers different type of tomb architecture, which is deeply dependent on its its historical and cultural context. In each historical period, burial and mausoleum have taken in the light of the common beliefs and traditions among the people of that era which created its own special features. The climatic, geographical and morphological features of a region also have a significant effect on the spatial form of the tomb. Affected from the personality which the tomb is for, these typologies are analyzed and considered. in other words, Saedi's personal, social, historical, and scholar attributes can impose an favorable effect on his tomb monument which should be apposite with his personality and magnum opus and with the temporal features of his life (Ilkhani era) and geographical aspects of his living site (Shiraz). Our methodology is based on qualitative research methods which is both descriptive and analytic. In descriptive part we explore the written materials and in analytic session by taking advantage of fields-studies and observations we have analyzed the main idea. Accordingly, the upcoming results of such a research can be useful for researchers and designers in searching the design process and principles for designing tombs.