A FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE IN IRAN WITH EMPHASIS ON THE VIEWS OF SCHOLARS

Development of the built environment needs to be addressed in a way that is socially and ecologicallyresponsible. There is great urgency to make sustainable interventions in Iran, while built environmentsare being created without the above engagement. Lack of awareness and consensus on sustainableactions needs formulation of a framework set by scholars analyzing effects of its components in acomprehensive model. The need to develop an instrument for investigation of views of scholars hasinstigated the researcher to collect the necessary data through interviews and prepare a researchquestionnaire. Moreover, the exploratory factor analysis survey method was employed, so thatstructural equation can be used for modeling purposes. The results led to development of atheoretical model to describe views of sustainable architecture in Iran. Results show thatenvironmental and productivity in the use of nature aspects of buildings is the cause of transition tosustainable architecture. Technology, construction and operations of buildings aspects as mediatingvariables have effects on environmental awareness as dependent variable of transition to sustainablearchitecture in Iran. The results can pave the path for further research in this area and orient theresearch priorities for sustainable architecture in Iran.