From shape to design Explaining the pattern of contemporary Iranian memorial architecture using shape grammar

Memorial architectural textures do not emerge in isolation; rather, they are shaped by a multitude of factors, both seen and unseen, that interconnect in a complex chain of causality. By meticulously tracing and contextualizing these factors, we can aspire to imbue them with a sense of immortality, embedding them within specific contexts and decoding their significance. This study endeavors to advance the understanding of contemporary Iranian monumental architecture through the lens of shape grammar, exploring how this grammar can inform the creation of new designs within this architectural tradition. By delving into the theoretical frameworks of memorial architecture and grammatical form, this article not only offers a framework for the perpetuation of this architectural heritage but also lays the groundwork for systematic evaluation.
The objectives of this study are twofold: To perceive contemporary Iranian monumental architecture through the extraction of fundamental shapes within the grammar of form. To generate new designs that uphold the essence of contemporary Iranian monuments.
This research adopts an applied approach, utilizing documentary-analytical methods as its primary research methodology. Both library and field methods have been employed for data collection. The process of data analysis involves identifying the grammar of form, which serves as a production system for generating new designs from basic shapes according to a set of rules. By applying this method to analyze six contemporary Iranian monuments, basic shapes are extracted, and a set of rules is formulated. Subsequently, new designs, infused with the essence of the selected monuments, are created.
In conclusion, by employing the grammar technique of shape within the context of six contemporary monuments and devising an algorithm comprising a finite set of basic shapes and instructions, this study demonstrates the potential for generating an infinite array of design solutions.