Ph.D

Mr  Kaki Amir will  present his P.H.D thesis on "The physical analysis of the plan organization of Iranian Qajar schools compared to the Safavid schools" in Iran at 14:00 Sunday 1 January 2017 .

Abstract:

Studying architecture of Iranian schools, because of its strong connection with environmental and cultural heritage and characteristics, has special importance in studying Iranian architecture. Study and analysis of the physical organization of plan of these schools, is one of the most important aspects of this study, that by showing the spatial relationships and replacement of physical elements in the overall design is very important. Qajar era is also highly regarded because of historical, cultural and educational changes and the impact of these changes on the development and the appearance of spatial creativity in the architecture of this period.

The main purpose of this research is reviewing and analyzing the amount and manner of physical transformation of plan organization of Iranian Qajar schools compared to the Safavid schools and the relationship between these transformations with historical and cultural conditions and educational system.

Current study is about analyzing plan organization of Iranian Qajar schools and explaining the manner of development of architectural elements and spatial features and organizing these factors in the collection of schools architecture of that period and also the impact of historical, cultural and educational conditions of mentioned period on the transformation of Qajar schools. This study is qualitative but in some sectors it has benefited by the quantitative data, on the other hand, due to the historical nature of research on Qajar schools, the main research approach is a combination of two historical-interpretive and correlation approaches, that has been completed by reviewing relationship and the correlation of elements and spatial features transformations with the totality of plan organization and the interpretation of these relations. 

The findings of the research show that most of the physical elements and the spaces of Qajar schools have been changed. Except Madras that is the only physical element of the set that in both periods have always been based on a fixed pattern with the least changes and changes of field and transformations of other elements has no effect on it, five physical elements and architectural spaces including porch, portico and veranda, room, main courtyard and the total educational spaces, in the Qajar era, have been reduced in relative area and in other words the presence and role of these elements have been reduced in the plan sets. Six physical elements and architectural spaces including Corridor, Terrace, Shabestan, the Dome, minor Courtyards and the total worship spaces in the Qajar religious schools, also, have been increased in relative area compared to the totality and infrastructure and they have found highlighted place and role.

Overall, despite some space changes that has led to functional diversity in the floors of Qajar schools and despite the bigger schools and increase their relationship with the surrounding urban context, the dominant placement pattern of Porches, the overall shape of the main corutyard and the general order of the floors and therefore, the overall plan organization of these schooles remained almost unchanged, compared to the Safavid schools.

Some of transformations of spaces and physical elements of plan organization of Qajar schools are due to changes in the field and infrastructure and some of transformations caused by external factors such as historical, cultural and educational conditions. As regards, the transformation of field and the totality of building is the effect of more integration of educational and worship functions and is the result of external factors of architecture, So, variations and changes in the components and overall layout of Qajar schools, both directly and indirectly, are affected by external factors and historical, cultural and educational conditions and integration of educational and worship functions, in plan organization of Qajar schools.

Keywords: Organization, Plan, Iranian schools, Qajar era.