Presentation Schedule
Continuity and Change in Persian Architecture: The Archetypal Heritage (94797)
Session Chair: Edmund Hoff
Thursday, 2 October 2025 13:25
Session: Session 1
Room: (B1) Poble Nou
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
This paper examines the principle of continuity and change in Persian architecture, highlighting how archetypal spatial patterns persist across centuries while accommodating cultural, environmental, and technological transformations. Drawing on Walter Gropius’s notion that architecture mediates between tradition and innovation, the study examines the enduring presence of the courtyard archetype, often centered around a water feature, in residential, civic, and religious buildings. From Sassanid palaces and Zoroastrian temples to Safavid urban squares, traditional houses, caravanserais, and madrasas, this spatial model demonstrates both functional and symbolic resilience. The analysis extends beyond architecture to Persian visual culture, showing its reflection in miniature paintings, carpet designs, and cinematic representations, where centrality and water serve as unifying motifs. Through a Gestalt-oriented perspective, the paper emphasizes how principles of rhythm, balance, and axial order create perceptual coherence across changing forms and contexts. By following the evolution of these enduring patterns, the study reveals a continuous dialogue between historical memory and contemporary adaptation, illustrating how Persian architecture integrates practical needs, spiritual meaning, and aesthetic values. Recognizing these archetypes enables modern architects to connect with a deeply rooted architectural heritage, thereby bridging the past and present while informing future design strategies.
Authors:
Babak Baharestani, University of Lisbon, Portugal
About the Presenter(s)
Babak Baharestani is a Ph.D. student in area history and theory of architecture at the University of Lisbon.
Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/babak-baharestani-48742838/
See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule
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