Layered Semiotics and the Perception of Meaning in the Architecture of Traditional Houses in Yazd

Volume 22, Issue 145
July 2025
Pages 35-50

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate in Architecture, Department of Art and Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Art and Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract
Problem statement: Architectural studies of traditional houses in Yazd reveal that these structures embody multiple semantic layers, including access, construction, and aesthetic layers. These layers incorporate diverse structures through the integration of cultural and conceptual elements. The central issue is how these layers, based on principles of semiotics and meaning perception, contribute to the meaning-making of residential spaces and how successfully they sustain a connection with their cultural context. This issue is crucial for evaluating the role of space-culture interplay in contemporary residential architecture.
Research objective: The main objective of this study is to analyze and interpret the meaning-making process in the residential spaces of traditional houses in Yazd through the lens of semiotic and semantic principles. The research aims to examine how meaning is constructed across different architectural layers, its relation to the local culture, and the implications of these meanings for the design of modern residential spaces. The study also seeks to offer strategies to enhance the effectiveness of contemporary residential design by drawing on the patterns and embedded meanings in traditional houses.
Research method: This research adopts a qualitative approach through comparative study and content analysis, employing semiotic and semantic perspectives. Data were collected descriptively through literature review and field observations. The interpretation, explanation, and evaluation phases were conducted using an interpretive approach.
Conclusion: Using a semiotic and semantic framework, this study investigates the architecture of traditional houses in Yazd. The findings indicate the exceptional capacity of these houses to utilize architectural elements and codes to foster social and cultural interactions both inside and outside the home. The interweaving of meanings and functions reinforces internal harmony and connection with the local culture. From a semiotic standpoint, the traditional houses of Yazd serve as valuable models for contemporary design and the enhancement of residential spaces.

Keywords

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