Architecture Research 2011; 1(1): 1-7 DOI: 10.5923/j.arch.20110101.01 An Investigation of Historical Structures in Iranian Ancient Architecture Katayoun Taghizadeh Department of Architecture, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1417466191, Iran Abstract The pre-Islamic styles of Iranian architecture draw on 3-4 thousand years of architectural development from various. Each of the periods of Elamites, Achaemenids, Parthians, and Sassanids were creators of great architecture that over the ages has spread wide and far to other cultures being adopted. Although Iran has suffered its share of destruction, including Alexander the Great's decision to burn Persepolis, there are sufficient remains to form a picture of its classical architecture. This paper featuring a chronological description of structural styles, information on traditional construction materials, as well as an analysis of numerous structures, this interest and informative text will be of importance to anyone with a technical interest in structural history and presents a general overview of the structural and architectural characteris- tics of Iranian historical structures and investigates historical buildings of Iran through a structural engineering approach. This paper includes a chronological description of architectural styles from the beginning to the end of Sassanid’s (before Islam). Keywords Iranian Architecture, Iranian Structures, Dome, Vault, Traditional Structures flowered during the Sassanid period with massive bar- 1. Introduction rel-vaulted chambers, solid masonry domes, and tall col- umns. This influence was to remain for years to come. The pre-Islamic styles of Iranian architecture draw on 3-4 thousand years of architectural development from various. Each of the periods of Elamites, Achaemenids, Parthians, 2. Structural Technology in Iranian and Sassanids were creators of great architecture that over the ages has spread wide and far to other cultures being Architecture adopted. Although Iran has suffered its share of destruction, One of the valuable works of ancient Iranians, they are including Alexander the Great's decision to burn Persepolis, undoubtedly the remains of construction that remain. Dis- there are sufficient remains to form a picture of its classical cuss the relationship between structure and architecture of architecture. the old argument that professionals and architects, and Each of the periods of Elamites, Achaemenids, Parthians, scholars have spoken a lot about it. In some texts, the struc- and Sassanids were creators of great architecture that over ture and architecture is the architecture's past is blurred so the ages has spread wide and far to other cultures being that there is no structural separation of the elements of ar- adopted. Although Iran has suffered its share of destruction, chitectural elements. Mehdi Farshad's book tells the history including Alexander the Great's decision to burn Persepolis, of engineering in Iran: there are sufficient remains to form a picture of its classical "History of civilization in the arts, technology and engi- architecture. neering in the form of fiction in Iran as well. Art and tech- The Achaemenids built on a grand scale. The artists and nology and engineering knowledge that have been, I have materials they used were brought in from practically all found. Sometimes these courses are common traits has territories of what was then the largest state in the world. caused them to take the form of joint or separate, but related Pasargadae set the standard: its city was laid out in an ex- formats are interdependent."[1] tensive park with bridges, gardens, colonnaded palaces and With a little reflection on the traditional architecture of open column pavilions. Iran and some important parts of the world, the combined With the emergence of the Parthians and Sassanids there effect can be seen in different sciences. Harmony between was an appearance of new forms. Parthian innovations fully structural and architectural works in this way of thinking is that the unit is in the works. It is possible to imagine to mix to * Corresponding author: [email protected] (Katayoun Taghizadeh) form the separation of structural and architectural elements Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/arch of the architecture of each other is impossible, because of Copyright © 2011 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved form, space, geometry, proportions of possible structural 2 Katayoun Taghizadeh: An Investigation of Historical Structures in Iranian Ancient Architecture forms of architecture to have emerged. Spaces created in this ments. In these works, along with human senses and feel the work using the human effects are structural elements that are forces and move them. This fact can be seen inside and out- consistent with the demands of the architect. side the buildings. The archways as structural elements in Employing arches and domes in Iranian traditional archi- urban spaces, while the structural response needs to define tecture of construction and architecture of an intelligent the spatial qualities of the soul represent the integration approach in creating architectural space. approach. Using elements such as decorations and Muqarnas "Application forms and promoting understanding of the and their function in the transmission of forces, reflecting the mechanical indicator dome architecture on the Iranian fact that the architects of the past, well aware of the psy- manufacturers and their knowledge to form and develop chological impact of feeling comfortable in the physical high-order value is above the dome-shaped forms."[1] stability and display the load path in different ways. "This study compared the mechanical and membrane "When an architect thinks of the work, simultaneously domes form the full curve shows the eleventh century AD, and even more to cover before it is achieved. Things need to such as engineers in the century, without having in hand a cover the mouth of the estuary, volume, weight, and their little and modern engineering techniques, intuitive and ex- structure for transmission to the ground and forms the sub- perimental forms of static and had full knowledge and ject sets and the coverage to take the field."[2] awareness building."[1] "Coverage is variable. Variable and limited and specified Important innovations in this direction by architects and dimensions houseroom, walls and height of buildings based builders with regard to the discussions have been static, that on modules. Architect worthy of spaces, selected to cover most of them are as follows: them, the proportions in each group, fixed cover and di- 1. Truss roofs mensions are given and sometimes arbitrary order. Com- 2. Diagonal roofs munity with respect to coverage provided to reduce forces. 3. Movable roofs Need to cover, and developed over centuries and ages of the 4. Vault, arch and dome evolutionary process in various ways organs within the ar- 5. Vaulting without forming chitecture and functionality and beauty had reached the peak. 6. Squinch In any case to cover the entire architecture of the buildings 7. Square Dome (Char Taghi)[1] affected and the most fundamental factor in shaping the organ bearing the architectural spaces."[2] Figure 1. Tagh-i-Kisra1 on of the oldest arches in the world The constructor of the architects who were building an important and valuable, both architect and structural engi- neer and accountant have been, or at least closely related to Figure 2. High columns with long distance, Perspolis, Iran space and structure is evident in their works. The works of traditional architecture can be left to the Several examples of important architectural achievements architects to design different shapes and static content. Some of Iran's Physical mentioned are[3]: work remains in the architecture, the building and construc- Structural elements design such as the high columns 2 tion industry is evident that the idea seems to be the main and long distance between them increases and Shabestans1F architect of buildings and structures have shaped the tech- in Achaemenid architecture, especially in the construction of nology. This fact becomes more pronounced when the cov- Persepolis that has been effective in Greece architecture. ering space as a structural element is important and will Innovation methods of buildings that form vault and determine the quality and scale spaces. was used from Parthian time, such as making wooden arch In the most of mosques, the space is mainly by the struc- with no overall forming. ture of space and what are received are the structural ele- 2 Shabestan or Shabistan is an underground space that can be usually found in 1 The Tāq-e Kisrā, also called Iwān-e Kisrā, is a Sassanid-era Persian monument traditional architecture of mosques, houses, and schools in ancient Persia in Al-Mada'in which is the only visible remaining structure of the ancient city of (Iran).These spaces were usually used during summers and could be ventilated by Ctesiphon. It is near the modern town of Salman Pak, Iraq. windcatchers and qanats. Architecture Research 2011; 1(1): 1-7 3 Innovation rectangular space in the dome and con- overall plan in the works. struction techniques that depend on creating new spaces. Materials have been used so often in the structural West architecture was very effected by this Iranian innova- forces that causes structural and decorations authenticity and tion. integrity of the structure. Arch and dome construction of the narrow vault, ex- pansion and development in Iran, found its way to other parts of the world Double vault construction that nowhere in the world did not spread. Construction of various vault structures such as Karbndy which was born in Iran and Expanded. Creating different spaces and the expansion and evolu- tion in a time and place in a Continuous course of history, 3 from multi iwans2F spaces with the central courtyard to pal- ace. As mentioned above, in vestigation the traditional struc- tures and architectural structures, several historic examples Figure 3. Architectural design and structure in Toqrol tower, Iran can be considered.