A Comparative Analysis of Authenticity Components in the Three Levels: Form, Concept, and Meaning in Historical Houses of Yazd City (Qajar and Early Pahlavi Periods)

Omidvari, Maryam; Amineh Anjomshoaa, Amineh; Rahimimehr, Vahideh

doi:10.22034/bagh.2025.541935.5878

A Comparative Analysis of Authenticity Components in the Three Levels: Form, Concept, and Meaning in Historical Houses of Yazd City (Qajar and Early Pahlavi Periods)

https://doi.org/10.22034/bagh.2025.541935.5878

Volume 23, Issue 155
May 2026

Pages 71-82

The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Maryam Omidvari

Amineh Amineh Anjomshoaa

Vahideh Rahimimehr

Department of Architecture, Ke.C., Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Problem statement: Understanding authenticity is highly important in creating authentic and lasting architecture. However, due to a diversity of opinions and the lack of precise criteria, this topic has often been overlooked by experts, and research has been limited to repeating general concepts, primarily within the scope of cultural heritage and building restoration. Given that traditional architecture is recognized as authentic, it is essential to investigate this subject in the architecture of conventional houses across different historical periods to identify the components of authenticity.
Research objective: This study attempts to analyze the concept of authenticity and examine how it manifests and persists in the traditional houses of Yazd city, during the transition from the Qajar to the Pahlavi period, by reviewing articles and expert opinions. Recognizing architectural changes in traditional houses during these two periods plays a significant role in understanding the components of authenticity in architectural structures. The study focuses on the physical (corporeal), conceptual, and semantic evidence within the houses to identify the trends of continuity or rupture of these concepts amidst the historical and cultural developments of that era.
Research method: This is an applied, qualitative research study employing a content analysis strategy. Data was collected through library research, documentation, and field visits. After identifying the components of authenticity in architecture based on the analysis of documents and expert views, houses from the Qajar and Pahlavi periods in Yazd were selected as case studies. The evolutionary trend of these authenticity components was then examined from the Qajar to the Pahlavi period using comparative-analytical and descriptive methods.
Conclusion: The examination of authenticity components across the three levels -Form, Concept, and Meaning- in the Qajar and Pahlavi houses indicates that the concept and meaning inherent in an architectural element are no longer perceivable at the other levels of authenticity when that element is removed from the level of Form in traditional houses. Furthermore, many of the components of authenticity across the three levels are no longer evident in the architectural transformation of buildings from the Qajar to the Pahlavi period.

Keywords

Comparative Studies

Traditional Houses of Yazd

Mulla Sadra

Qajar Period

Early Pahlavi Period.

Subjects

Architecture

Amini, S., Falamaki, M. M., & Keramati, G. (2019). Typology of imagination in the process of architectural design. Bagh-e Nazar, 16(72), 53–64. https://doi.org/10.22034/bagh.2019.87490
Andrews, T. D., & Buggey, S. (2008). Authenticity in aboriginal cultural landscape. APT Bulletin, The APT Bulletin, 39(2–3), 63–71. https://www.academia.edu/3995411/Authenticity_in_Aboriginal_Cultural_Landscapes_with_Susan_Buggey_
Asefi, M., & Imani, E. (2014). Recognition and evaluation of the transformational factors of the spirit of Iranian traditional architecture: Originality of the past, novelty of today. HOVIATESHAHR, 8(19), 63–76. https://www.sid.ir/paper/154666/en
Fadaei Nezhad, S., & Eshrati, P. (2015). Analysis of authenticity recognition components in cultural heritage conservation. Journal of Fine Arts: Architecture & Urban Planning, 19(4), 77–86. https://doi.org/10.22059/jfaup.2015.55697
Hajighasemi, K. (2004). گنجنامۀ فرهنگ آثار معماری اسلامی ایران، دفتر 14: خانه‌های یزد [Ganjnameh: Cultural encyclopedia of Iranian Islamic Architecture, Volume 14: Houses of Yazd]. Shahid Beheshti University. [in Persian]
Hamzenejad, M., & Dashti, M. (2016). Iranian traditional houses from the perspective of phenomenologists and moral traditionalists. Naqshejahan- Basic studies and New Technologies of Architecture and Planning, 6(2), 24–35. https://bsnt.modares.ac.ir/article_771.html?lang=en
Hosseini Shahroudi, S. M., & Eskandari, Z. (2017). بررسی تطبیقی فاعلیت ذهن در فرایند ادراک از دیدگاه ملاصدرا و هوسرل [Comparative study of the agency of mind in the process of perception from the viewpoints of Mulla Sadra and Husserl]. Hekmat-e Sadraei, 6(1), 75–86. [in Persian]
Hossein Yazdi, M. (2013). محرمیت و خلوت در معماری ایرانی [Privacy in iranian architect]. https://anthropologyandculture.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%88-%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C/ [in Persian]
Karbasi, A. (2012). Today’s architecture and ambiguity about the “constant and variable”. Journal of Fine Arts: Architecture & Urban Planning, 17(3), 70–61. https://doi.org/10.22059/jfaup.2012.30374
Khaki Ghasr, A. (2019). Space programs of traditional houses in Yazd in relation to contemporary dwelling. Journal of Architecture in Hot and Dry Climate, 6(8), 23–46. https://smb.yazd.ac.ir/article_1637.html?lang=en
Mahvash, M. (2006). بیان معماری، بروز حقیقت معماری در اثر [Architectural expression, manifestation of architectural reality in the work]. Journal of Fine Arts, 28, 45–58. https://jhz.ut.ac.ir/article_17082.html?lang=fa [in Persian]
Mirmiran, S. H. (1998). سیری از ماده به روح [A journey from matter to spirit]. Memari va ShahrSazi, (42–43), 94–100. [in Persian]
Mitchell, N. J. (2008). Considering the authenticity of cultural landscapes. APT Bulletin: The Journal of Preservation Technology, 39(2–3), 25. https://aata.getty.edu/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=GETTY_AATA9934097413801551&context=L&vid=AATA&lang=en_US&search_scope=AATA&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=aata&query=lsr31,exact,APT%20bulletin,%20v.%2039,%20n.%202-3%20(2008),AND&mode=advanced&offset=0
Nejad Ebrahimi, A., Farrokhi, S., & Shabahang,M. (2022). Criteria affecting the preservation of the authenticity in restoration of Sadaghiani’s House in Tabriz. Bagh-e Nazar, 19(108), 91–108. https://doi.org/10.22034/bagh.2021.272178.4793
Omidvari, M., Andjomshoaa, A., & Rahimimehr, V. (2024). An analysis of the concept of authenticity in architecture based on the levels of perception from Mulla Sadra’s perspective. Bagh-e Nazar, 21(139), 5–18. https://doi.org/10.22034/bagh.2024.430298.5516
Pallasmaa, J. (2016). The eyes of the skin: Architecture and the senses (R. Qods, Trans., A. Akbari, Ed., 3rd ed.). Parham Naqsh Publications. (Original work published 2005).
Saadati Khamseh, M. (2017). بررسی تطبیقی دو الگوی سنتی و غربی خانه در دورۀ قاجار؛ نمونه موردی: خانۀ مشکیان یزد و عمارت ذوالفقاری زنجان [Comparative study of traditional and Western house patterns in the Qajar period: Case study of Meshkian House in Yazd and Zolfaghari Mansion in Zanjan]. Modiriyat-e Shahri [Urban Management], 16(48), 333–350. [in Persian]
Sadr al-Din Shirazi, M. I. (1865). Asfar al-Arba›a [The Four Journeys]. Sadra Islamic Wisdom Foundation.
Shajari, M., & Mohammad Alizadeh, J. (2012). ارتباط مراتب انسان با مراتب هستی از دیدگاه ملاصدرا [The relationship between the levels of human existence and the levels of being from the perspective of Mulla Sadra]. Ensān-Pazhuhi-ye Dini [Religious Human Research], 9(27), 5–27. [in Persian]
Taghdir, S. (2017). Explaining the human perception levels and process and its role in the quality of creation of architectural works Based On Transcendent Wisdom. Journal of Researches in Islamic Architecture Research, 5(1), 47–69.http://jria.iust.ac.ir/article-1-694-fa.html
Van Balen, K. (2008). The Nara Grid: An evaluation scheme based on the Nara Document on Authenticity. APT Bulletin: The Journal of Preservation Technology, 39(4), 39–45.
Zakerzadeh, A. H., & Ghorbani-Nia, A. (2021). بررسی ابعاد اصالت تزئینات به‌کاررفته در خانه‌های قاجاری و بررسی تأثیر آن بر ارزش فرهنگی این مکان‌ها [Investigating the dimensions of authenticity of decorations used in Qajar houses and examining their impact on the cultural value of these places]. Motaleat-e Mianfarhangi [Intercultural Studies], 16(48), 67–94. [in Persian]

XML

PDF 1.27 M

Full Text in second language