Philosophical Approach in Studying Iranian Architecture

The endurance of any type of architecture is contingent upon the study of thecharacteristics that led to its formation. Two general approaches have been adopted tostudy and analyze the Iranian architecture. A number of scholars have taken ahistorical approach, while others have merely considered a genre- based approach.Making use of many historical studies, these scholars have attempted to produce anexacting categorization of Iranian architecture. They focuse on outward form andembellislunent to identify and distinguish various classes and sub-classes ofarchitecture in Iran.The third approach, which is outlined in this article, tries to explain sucharchitecture from a conceptual point of view. This essentially involves identifying andanalyzing those features that have allowed it to endure. The article shows that therehas been a precise and thought- provoking interaction between architects and theintellectual classes that led to the formation of an enduring and transcendent form ofarchitecture in Iran.