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The gold rush: American architects in Iran in the 1970s
In the 1970s, Tehran and other major Iranian cities underwent rapid urban expansion, marked by the initiation of numerous large-scale urban development projects and residential and commercial complexes. Many of these projects involved foreign architects, particularly Americans, who were drawn to Shah’s ambitious modernization efforts. Described as a “gold mine” by an American architecture magazine in 1970s, Iran became a hub for foreign architectural expertise. This article examines the presence and activities of American architects in Iran during this decade, primarily through a review of American architectural magazines. Most projects led by American architects were mega-projects, such as new towns in Tehran and large residential complexes for affluent groups. The scale and financial magnitude of these contracts highlight significant opportunities available to American architects in the mid-1970s. However, they also faced challenges including planning and negotiation difficulties with clients—primarily the Shah and his aids and Foundations— and the often conflicting demands versus local realities. The American architects’ involvement was influenced by economic and political factors, including the 1973 oil boom, the Shah’s Westernization policies, and the U.S. economic downturn in 1974–75. Finally, the article explains, using magazine reports, why these projects stopped and why most were never built.
Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Spatial structures in event-place formation
Event-places occupy different physical layouts, but we lack a comprehensive understanding of their structures and arrangements. This study aims to uncover some of these patterns by examining various urban spaces recognized as event-places. By reviewing the research background, a variety of definitions and terms were observed in this field. So, by drawing on existing knowledge and exploring similar terms for event places, six events have been selected for analysis: the Tiananmen Square Protest events, the Al-Tahrir Square Political Event, the Oëral Event, the Bangor Folk Event, the Rio Event, and the 2008 Olympics. In selecting the events, an effort was made to select cases that could cover different interpretations. Through categorizing events as either planned or unplanned, this research demonstrates that decisions concerning selection, alteration, or creation significantly influence the spatial layout of events. The extent of spatial change or the potential for constructing dedicated event venues is directly linked to the size of the event and its impact. Within event places, venues can take various forms, such as expansive areas with multiple entry points (Al-Tahrir Square Political Event and Tiananmen Square Protest events), linear layouts (Rio Event), central hubs (2008 Olympics and Oëral Event), or combinations thereof (Bangor Folk Event).
Everyday Urbanism in Lithuanian towns: the case of old community gardens in Grigiškės and Plungė
This paper examines old community gardens as an example of Everyday Urbanism in two small Lithuanian towns. While academic interest in newly created community gardens in Central and Eastern European countries is growing, old community gardens remain largely absent from academic discourse. To analyse the social and spatial factors essential to their development in Grigiškės and Plungė, scientific literature, statistical data and land use maps from socialist period master plans were used. Additionally, contemporary master plans and other urban planning documents were analysed, alongside interviews, to discuss the current context of old community gardens and explore their potential future trajectories. The results indicate that old community gardens were established during the socialist period, primarily due to the rural backgrounds of new urban residents. These gardens were created informally on vacant land next to blocks of flats, land that has remained undeveloped to this day due to multiple factors throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Although they are not officially recognised, the future development of old community gardens in Grigiškės and Plungė may differ based on varying attitudes from local government and their specific locations. These gardens exemplify the diverse and informal nature of Everyday Urbanism, highlighting the need for a more flexible approach to their preservation and integration into urban planning.
How do we know in design? Exploring knowledge and inquiry in architectural design
This paper examines the intricate relationship that exists between the field of architecture and the role that research can play in it, by describing how this relationship has manifested itself in academic environments over the past two decades. The paper goes over modalities and methods to conduct architectural research, illustrates paradigmatic examples, and identifies a specific place for the formulation of what research can constitute in architecture. In analyzing architectural research connected to doctoral education, but also to the second cycle of higher education, the paper describes the Design Studio as the ideal place where teaching, research and learning can blend in to produce innovative and meaningful forms of knowledge.
Aesthetic perceptions in architecture and urban design: bridging art and function
The philosophy of art, particularly its focus on beauty, underpins how aesthetic judgments are formed in architecture and urban design. However, overlapping philosophical orientations can cloud the criteria used to evaluate buildings and urban spaces. Drawing on Kant’s perspective, free beauty refers to design expressions relatively unconstrained by functional rules, whereas restricted beauty involves specific guidelines or ends that shape aesthetic outcomes. This study hypothesizes that clear standards and rules can unify these judgments in architecture and urban design, ultimately fostering coherent urban results. Using a descriptive–analytical methodology, the research compares instances where aesthetic judgments lean more toward free beauty–emphasizing creativity and artistic freedom–with contexts where external provisions (e.g., engineering codes, heritage statutes) reinforce restricted beauty. In doing so, it outlines key differences between purely artistic evaluations and those also subject to engineering or regulatory norms. By clarifying how free and restricted beauty apply in different scenarios, this work addresses an existing knowledge gap: while architectural products may blend both free and restricted elements, urban design typically adheres more tightly to rule-based frameworks. The findings suggest that better-defined aesthetic guidelines can ensure functional and visually integrated outcomes in modern architectural and urban practices.
Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Contemporary designs in historic context: Eleftheria square in Cyprus as a bridge between new and the old
Contemporary design within a historical context is a special topic of architectural conservation that needs considerations. New designs should be reversible and compatible with existing; however it needs to be legible and distinguishable as well. Creating the compatibility between new and the old is a challenging process. The originality of the heritage should be preserved while adding another layer and value to the heritage. The international preservation standards and charters provide guideline for contemporary designs in historical settings. The aim of the study is to examine the selected field study by following these principles. Eleftheria square in Cyprus that is designed by Zaha Hadid Architects is the main study area of the paper. Eleftheria square is a public space located in Nicosia, Southern Cyprus that design has recently completed. It includes design of a moat, which is located next to the historic city walls and designing a bridge that connect the historic part of the city with the new development area. Although the project brought a new life to the neglected part of the city, the design approaches of the project should be examined through conservation principles. Within the scope of the study, the completed project has been examined through preservation principles, which is suggested in selected standards and charters.
Design and experience: a typo-morphological case study of Maharishi Vāstu Architecture in Perú
Along with Feng Shui, Vedic architecture from ancient India (also referred to as Vāstu architecture by theorists and practitioners in the West) has become a design and construction approach of interest to architects in western countries. The most widely applied version of this approach is Maharishi Vāstu Architecture (MVA) as realized in not only hundreds of homes throughout the world, but also in the design of university campuses, commercial buildings and retreat communities in India, Japan, Netherlands and the U.S., as well as in the design of an entire city in Iowa. However, while applied in countries as diverse as Brazil, Ireland, Malaysia, Spain, Thailand and United Kingdom, this approach to architecture has not been the subject of detailed case study analysis. To rectify this situation, the present study investigates the application of MVA in Perú by examining not only the location, design and construction of two houses, but also the lived experiences of owner–occupants within them. The houses located in Cieneguilla and Pachacámac, the first two MVA urban developments in South America, were designed by this study’s second author, a Perúvian architect, and have been featured in arq: Architecture Research Quarterly, the preeminent architectural journal of Latin America. One house is oriented to the east, the other to the north; one is single story, the other two stories; one is a homage to tradition, the other more modern; and one includes local adobe materials, the other standard brick and render. However, both houses are consistent with the ancient Vedic precepts of architectural design (specifically the 3 × 3 Pīṭha diagram from the Mayamata) and the ancient Andean Chacana diagram. Results of lived experience from semi-structured interviews, consistent with findings from a previous international study of 158 MVA home–occupants, indicate that owner–occupants in Perú report increased health, vitality and good fortune, a range of practical benefits, and improved quality of life as a result of owning and living in an MVA-designed home.
Review of the urbanism reader: design, technology, culture and the future of cities
The Urbanism Reader critiques postmodern urbanism as a reaction to modernist minimalism, focusing on diversity, responsiveness, and complexity in city design. Edited by Stefan Al and Tom Verebes, the anthology includes over 40 curated texts exploring urban theory since the 1960s. Topics range from spatial diversity, non-linear planning, density, public health, and informality to technology, AI, and environmental concerns. While the book includes minority and ecological perspectives, it lacks deeper political economy critiques. Ultimately, it offers a rich, if selective, overview of current urban discourse, highlighting the intersections of design, technology, and society as tools for navigating urban complexity.
Rebuilding of destroyed historical quarters of Kyiv: a theoretical model
The article aims to study the destroyed historical quarters of Kyiv and form a theoretical model for their rebuilding. We identified the peculiarity of Kyiv’s historical quarters’ destruction, which, over the last three years of war, has undergone a layering of simultaneous one on the temporal, significantly intensifying the negative impact. It requires a more complex methodological intervention in their rebuilding, with the elimination of the consequences of simultaneous destruction and the causes and problems of temporal destruction at the same time. The studied quarters were classified, and the identified features help to understand their potential and form an individual intervention strategy, affecting the possibility of using specific methods and techniques in their rebuilding. The proposed theoretical model of rebuilding destroyed historical quarters of Kyiv is a tool for a holistic and comprehensive solution to the problem, shows the possibility and effectiveness of combinations of various restorative and reconstructive methods, supplemented by specific techniques for different systemic levels of intervention, which we recommende to use depending on the initial existing state of these quarters, the determined degrees of their destruction and historical-architectural value. The proposed concept for rebuilding the destroyed quarter in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district effectively illustrates its potential.
The art of architecture wayfinding: navigating by objects, boundaries, and time
The purpose of this paper is to explore various forms of wayfinding through spatial reading. In particular, this article emphasizes how hidden clues play an important role in human movement and the wayfinding process. The purpose of this paper is to highlight hidden clues that are crucial to understanding architectural spatiality as a process of wayfinding. A film that contains a wayfinding narrative will be dismantled in this paper to explore various the arts of wayfinding. The selection of the films was based on the possibility of spatial reading, especially those that reflect the story of human movement and the wayfinding process. The analysis is based on observations of the film, particularly how spatial settings are compiled and used to wayfinding clues as the observed data. The data was collected by observing the actors about their wayfinding strategies. Using catalogs and diagrams, the results of the data were analyzed to obtain a spatial picture of wayfindings. Three aspects of hidden clues determine a person‘s wayfinding, namely objects, boundaries, and time. In terms of wayfinding, these three aspects may be considered outside of the physical form of architectural space. The results of the study contribute to the development of an architectural wayfinding system based on spatial narratives.
Glocalization challenges and the contemporary architecture: systematic review of common global indicators in Aga Khan Award’s winners
Local reports from different international societies have considered the achievement of the successful Glocalized architecture model in line with the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Aga Khan Cultural Foundation’s International Program for Islamic Architecture has also prioritized the understanding of the success drivers in architectural projects. This study aimed to detect the potentials of the common global indicators to access qualitative design assessment through analyzing the Aga Khan Award’s reports. The selected methodology in the present study is a quantitative approach using the systematic content analysis and coding techniques for qualitative data obtained from the technical. The physical, non-physical, modern, and traditional factors that have contributed to the success of the works as well as their combinations were extracted and analyzed using Sensible and Abstract international, national, and local indications. There is a relative superiority for Sensible indications (A combination of modern and physical factors). The hybrid data distribution provides the ground to assess the works, and this can be used to manage the globalization challenges in the contemporary architecture of Muslim societies.
Copyright (c) 2023 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
From engineering to aesthetics: morphology and constructive techniques of the New Bridge of Ronda (Spain)
This study analyzes the morphology and construction techniques of the New Bridge of Ronda, focusing on its key engineering elements. Existing publications on the bridge’s construction history, along with research on stone bridge technologies, were used to identify elements in the New Bridge. The morphological characteristics and materials used were analyzed to deduce the techniques employed. The research shows that the New Bridge follows construction methods typical of stone bridges from Roman times, despite being built in the 18th century. Its height required large abutments and multi-level vaults, resembling medieval bridge designs, resulting in a unique structure compared to most stone bridges. This paper fills the gap in knowledge about the construction techniques and morphology of the New Bridge, offering a deeper understanding of its design. The value of this study lies in its contribution to the understanding of the New Bridge’s construction methods, shedding light on its historical significance and aiding in its preservation. This study enhances the appreciation of the New Bridge, supporting efforts for its preservation for future generations.
Exploring spatial programming through modularity based evolutionary computation
The application of evolutionary computing in architecture has advanced beyond active feedback to designers by integrating natural processes with computation to synchronize input from the final solution. Following knowledge in digital morphogenesis, new approaches can be formed by examining design issues deemed non-pragmatic and abstract, such as function in spatial programming. The study presented in this paper explores an approach based on the principle of modularity, which describes a biological system’s ability to organize distinct, independent units to increase the system’s adaptability. By employing modularity in evolutionary computation, we can characterize function as an abstract feature of phenotypes. The basic modularity method is simulated by developing a spatial program with dynamic programmatic functions to see how adaptable units are as spatial program components.
Comparative study of social sustainability between Western cities and Iranian historical cities
This study compares the social sustainability models of Western cities with those of historical Islamic cities in Iran, exploring their theoretical foundations and practical implementations. The research investigates whether the principles underlying Iranian Islamic cities align with Western standards of social sustainability, identifying similarities and differences between these models. Using a comparative analysis and an interpretative-historical approach, the study reviews the evolution of sustainable practices in both contexts. Concrete examples from Western urban models and Iranian cities are examined to assess their effectiveness in fostering sustainable communities and promoting sustainable behaviors. The findings highlight significant parallels between Western and Iranian Islamic models, with an 83% overlap, particularly with the new urbanism models of Europe and America, despite distinct approaches rooted in cultural and historical contexts. The study concludes that modern urbanism in the West and the Safavid era cities in Iran represent the most sustainable models within their respective regions.
Copyright (c) 2024 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Structurally informed architectural designs defined by Catalan surfaces – examples of study projects
In the case of effective structural forms, characterized by a close symbiosis of architectural form and fabric solution, the properties of geometry not only enable the realization of the intention, but remain the main medium of shaping architectural expression in the aesthetic dimension. Moreover, geometric topological forms described by parametric equations provide many opportunities to model structures, also in digital spaces. Paying attention to these aspects was the goal of the academic design task specified in this paper.
The (re)making of a city centre: Jan Gehl and the transformation of Melbourne CBD
Jan Gehl, an eminent Danish Architect and Urban Designer, has worked in more than forty cities around the world and contributed to revitalising their city centres. Although his work in Australia has drawn considerable attention in recent years, not much is known about his early and exemplary work on revitalising the city centre in Melbourne. This paper explores Gehl’s urban design work in Melbourne by examining his engagement with the City of Melbourne after being invited to lead the ‘Places for People’ initiative in 1993. Gehl’s main contributions during his collaboration with the council include developing the methodology for the Public Space Public Life surveys and co-authoring of the Places for People study reports. Gehl made several key recommendations in the reports that turned out to be instrumental in formulating urban design approaches to help transform the Melbourne CBD into a vibrant city centre. This transformation, which led to the revival of the public realm, is evident in several significant changes made to some major public spaces between 1994 and 2004 and beyond. This paper contributes to the urban design discipline by adding new knowledge of Gehl’s work in Melbourne and widening its recognition in Australia and internationally.
Adapting the 15-minute city model in Cairo: mobility challenges and opportunities
The 15-minute city model, a visionary approach to urban planning, envisions neighbourhoods where residents can access all essential daily needs – work, education, healthcare, shopping, and leisure –within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. This study assesses the challenges and opportunities of implementing the 15-minute city model in Downtown Cairo, Egypt. The study examines the current state of public spaces, transportation, and walkability in the area through ethnographic research, including extensive field observations and frequent attendance at design workshops with developers, as well as numerous site visits and in-depth semi-structured interviews with diverse stakeholders. Stakeholders included the developer of the Cairo House project, the Cairo Bike project manager, urban researchers, tourists, residents and business owners within the study area. Data were analysed using thematic coding to identify recurring patterns and conflicting perspectives. The findings reveal significant challenges, including traffic congestion, limited public spaces, and inadequate pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. The study explores potential solutions, including enhancing public transportation, creating safe and accessible environments for pedestrians and cyclists, promoting mixed-use development, and developing vibrant and accessible public spaces. The main findings underscore the significance of community engagement and participatory planning in ensuring the successful and equitable implementation of the 15-minute city model within this unique and historic urban context.
The importance and effects of colors in accommodation units for homeless people
Designing accommodation for homeless people requires a specific approach based on analysis, based on knowledge of the mental and physical condition of a person, their needs, and demands. The color of the living space can play an important role in a person’s social inclusion, a faster and more continuous return of a person to a full life. The research aimed to verify how much the preferences for the use of color in the interior match among the homeless people and to draw recommendations for the color application. The theoretical analysis deals with the influence of architecture on our senses. Special attention is paid to the effects of sunlight, especially on the visible light spectrum, the originator of color vision. In the research methodology, the article defines the target group of homeless people using social service accommodation and data collection procedures. The results and discussion provide an overview of color preferences among respondents and the interpretation of findings. It has been shown that homeless people form a relatively homogeneous group for which it is possible to define general color selection requirements and to set key recommendations for the application of color schemes in social services accommodation units.
Schizophrenic urbanism: a quantitative approach for monitoring deviation in neighbourhood’s planning standards
Urbanism represents a new terminology and a unique approach that describes and encounters the challenges of rapid urbanization in modern developments in contemporary cities and its effect on urban planning standards. As a metaphor, this term connects schizophrenia as a specific mental disease with precise features of urban planning, such as the loss of identity, place recognition, and community interaction with the social and environmental context. The lack of consensus adds a layer of complexity to understanding the subject matter. To add to the intricacy, schizophrenia has varied presentations with an unpredictable course and recovery. Symptoms of schizophrenia are divided into three broad categories: positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and recognition symptoms. This paper attempts to draw parallels between the recognition symptoms of schizophrenia and urban planning and gain an understanding as to whether urban planning and development are indeed schizophrenic in nature or whether the interference of local authorities, planners, and certain circumstances initiates a kind of deviations that leads to schizophrenic urban symptoms. This is done through an overview of the symptoms of schizophrenia and a comparison of specific symptoms with contemporary urban planning and development, focusing on fragmentation, disconnection from reality, identity loss, adaptability and change management, environmental interaction and conflict and tension. This will be done through critically analyzing contemporary urban planning and development in relation to disorganization and intervention. The study methodology is joined by locating turf within urban planning, sociology, and cultural assessments, and the ethnography research is used that contains interviews, surveys, and content analysis, to study the outcomes of plan requirements deviation and its impact on the local perception. The paper proposed coherent Key Performance Indicators KPIs that can estimate the consequences of applying international planning standards without acknowledging local diversity and place identity. This study encourages a culturally sensitive and locally inclusive approach to local neighborhoods’ planning principles, emphasizing the need to engage local communities in decision-making. The use of this proposed KPIs system could preserve and enhance the unique identities of neighborhoods and address their social needs amidst the challenges of rapid urbanization. The paper concludes that there is a high compatibility between the symptoms of schizophrenia and contemporary urban planning and development and that a greater understanding of schizophrenia can assist in improving the way we plan and develop cities’ neighbourhoods.
A critical history of architectural modernism
Future generations deserve and need an honest accounting of architectural Modernism, and its Neo-Modernist and “Post-Modernist” variants, based on scientific analysis and the factual historical record. Reintroducing traditional tectonic culture and focusing on applying fractal and planar symmetries to design critique provides a more revolutionary account of the Modernist concept, its associated “propaganda”, and the physical legacy of the movement. The authors seek answers to two questions: (1) whether Modernist architecture justly conquered the world by its claimed “Zeitgeist” – or was its success due to other factors; and (2) to what extent Modernism brings about the originally promised cultural and social benefits today. This essay seeks to clear up the ambiguity of the Modernist architectural doctrine through facts, and includes criticisms regarding its massive detrimental impact on the world’s built and natural environments. A growing movement in Europe and elsewhere is challenging the legitimacy of many contemporary architectural designs. These critics attack the persistence of discredited Modernist theory, and the resulting harm to people and our planet. Defenders respond that the members of this movement are ignorant populists who do not understand the legitimate theoretical and cultural foundations of contemporary design. Here we examine this controversy and conclude that a considerable body of scientific evidence supports the critics. By focusing on the choices we do have today, we empower architects to implement drastic changes in new projects.
Decoding the knowledge space of ‘Architectural and Urban Traditions’ utilising a metadata framework
This article explores the discourse on Architectural and Urban Traditions (AUT), examining its evolution expressions, and manifestations as a knowledge space. Utilising a Metadata Framework (MF) based on six lines of inquiry–scale, discipline, geographical diversity, typology, governance, and investigation methods–this research systematically examines the relationship between various research dimensions as perceived, researched, and interpreted by academics and scholars. It involves text mining and content analysis to enable deeper, data-driven exploration of evolving themes and patterns within the AUT knowledge space. The MF is implemented through the case of the International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments (IASTE), which is identified based on its focus and longstanding contribution to the discourse since the late 1980s. The study demonstrates how the two pillars of IASTE–Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review (TDSR) and the biennale conferences (recently annual conferences) have shaped the discourse on traditional environments. It primarily contributes to the field by advancing the application of the Metadata Framework (MF) as a systematic tool for mapping the evolution of AUT discourse, providing valuable insights for future research. Key findings reveal a significant rise in technological integration and governance studies, sustained interest in studying intangible cultural heritage, and growth in linking this with advanced technologies. Conclusions are drawn to elucidate evolving, emerging, and declining themes and areas within the overall knowledge space of architectural and urban traditions.
Single real estate developers’ innovations in housing design: an historical exploration based on China Vanke Co. Ltd.
This paper focuses on the practices, innovations and design regarding housing supply developed by a single Chinese private real estate company, China Vanke Co. Ltd. between 1979 and 2016. In the last 5 decades, China experienced a period of rapid urbanization, accompanied by the introduction of numerous economic and institutional reforms impacting the nation’s model of housing supply. Significant changes disrupted the urban housing sector in the country, shifting the main supply system from a public welfare model to a market-driven one. Within this time span, most new residential properties were developed and marketed by large real estate enterprises, which became crucial players in establishing the new housing market. While there is an extensive body of literature examining China’s housing market formation and progression, most of these studies focus on the economic and social aspects of housing, including factors such as affordability, inequality, governance, preferences and choices. Single real estate firms’ innovations, as well as the links between housing designs and market supply and demand, have yet to be thoroughly explored. This latter area represents thus the main focus of this paper. Expanding from the specific case of Vanke, this paper seeks to discuss the innovative processes of a real estate enterprise and the role of a single company in shaping new housing designs, based on supply and demand transformations.
Unknown interiors of ancient Egypt: producing by artificial intelligence in the context of light-space relationship
This study presents a design method aimed at visualizing cultural heritage through the architecture of ancient Egypt using modern technologies. With the deepening of the digital age, the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence in cultural heritage research has become an important tool for renewing and disseminating period architecture. The reason for choosing the interior spaces of ancient Egypt as a sample in this study is that, in addition to leaving a rich heritage in the field of architecture, ancient Egypt offers distinct period architecture in terms of space-light relationship. As a result of literature review, keywords related to architecture and the relationship between space and light in the Ancient Period were identified, and the study was visualized using the state-of-the-art artificial intelligence technology of today, namely human-computer interaction combined with text-to-image technology. The motivation and aim of this study is to demonstrate the role of reanimating cultural heritage like ancient period architectures in the computer environment based on interpretation, contributing to architectural sustainability, and spreading to future periods.
Decoding spatial layout patterns of traditional houses in urban kampung settlements
Understanding and identifying the spatial layout patterns of traditional houses is a pivotal feature for preserving and enhancing the cultural heritage of twelve houses which have been an object to be studied. This research investigates a comprehensive study to understand a particular architectural plan in a participative community of design processing on decoding spatial layout patterns through a generative Justified Plan Graph (g-JPG) as a grammatical spatial approach. This research examines the grammar using the rule-based spatial structure of traditional housing in three urban kampung in Indonesia. This method applies three procedures, such as collecting data, extracting jpg grammar, and formulating jpg grammar. Regarding the investigated result, indigenous and non-indigenous dwellers have mostly constructed the spatial configuration axially and created a spatial penetration or intersectional space on movement by generating and distancing social concept long models in their traditional houses. Another finding is that the houses’ spatial layouts are integrated as spacious hall-centred, representing a rule-structure and form-based. It is found that this study can serve as a valuable resource for architects and researchers who are interested in preserving and revitalizing the architectural identity of traditional housing.
Evaluation of physical-spatial characteristics affecting the quality of apartment housing
Housing quality is one of the most important domains of quality of life. One of the most important qualitative aspects of housing is paying attention to the residents’ satisfaction with their place of residence. The purpose of the upcoming research is to know the physical-spatial characteristics that affect the quality of apartment housing. The research method is combined and based on two quantitative and qualitative approaches. In this way, in the first part and the qualitative approach of the research, the text content analysis method was used. In this section, with the help of the content analysis method, the most important sources of the first category related to the quality of apartment housing are reviewed and the physical-spatial characteristics affecting the quality of the housing are identified. In the second stage of the research, with the help of a quantitative approach, the evaluation of people’s characteristics has been done with the help of TOPSIS method. The statistical population university professors related to housing was used to evaluate the physical-spatial characteristics. The findings of the research show that the characteristics related to housing quality are not only physical.
The significance of public space in assessing architectural heritage
This study examines the relationship between public spaces surrounding heritage buildings in Arequipa, Peru, and social perceptions of these structures. Focusing on buildings recognized as significant architectural landmarks by the magazine “El arquitecto Peruano” founded by Belaunde Terry. The research reveals a weak correlation between the quality of the surrounding public space and the society’s appreciation of the architectural edifice. However, certain buildings stand out in public esteem, notably Plaza de Armas, Convento de Santa Catalina, Iglesia de la Compañía, Templo de Yanahuara, Iglesia de San Agustín, and Iglesia de Cayma, primarily due to their Ba-roque-mestizo architectural style. The text emphasizes the pivotal role of public spaces in the evaluation of architectural heritage. This research sheds light on the complex interplay between architectural heritage, public spaces, and social perception, offering valuable insights for urban planning and heritage preservation initiatives.
Integrative analysis of Text-to-Image AI systems in architectural design education: pedagogical innovations and creative design implications
This study explores the potential of Text-to-Image (T2I) AI systems in architectural design education, particularly during the conceptual design phase. Through a structured two-stage workshop, architecture students used T2I AI to conceptualize a public building project, focusing on the bird’s eye and interior perspectives. These AI-assisted designs were subsequently refined to align with specific site conditions and programmatic requirements. The study reveals T2I AI’s ability to expand creative possibilities in architectural design while highlighting its limitations and biases. The findings emphasize the necessity for a critical and informed approach when integrating AI into architectural education and practice, addressing ethical considerations. Future research directions are proposed to optimize T2I AI applications in architectural design, address inherent biases in AI systems, and enhance the discourse on AI’s role in shaping the future of architectural practices.
History in the void: Giuseppe Samonà’s 1967 proposal for Montecitorio competition
Giuseppe Samonà was one of the most influential figures in 20th century Italian architecture and urban culture. In 1967, Samonà and his team submitted a competition proposal for the extension of the Camera dei deputati in Rome, considered by many to be one of the most significant and conceptually mature projects of his career. By examining the design and the report appended to the competition submittal the author explores the concept of the void that is the backbone of the project and finds that it has a twofold interpretation. Apart from the obvious physical manifestation of emptying, the void is also a meditative device, an incorporeal entity that relies on the body of the new insert to show the complexity of the history of the Roman site. It is in this inversion of the usual interpretation of the concept of void as being independent nothingness that allure of the project itself lies. By presenting the archival material and contemporary research, the author brings into focus a part of Samonà’s extraordinary contribution to the architecture and urban culture of the 20th century that surprisingly remains unrevealed to non-Italian audiences.
A theoretical approach to endorphin-stimulating architecture
As with the other creative and design industries, architecture is mainly aimed to solve users’ needs. However, in the current practice, the design transformation process is less responsive to user feedback and primarily relies on the architect’s perceptual skill that tends to be subjective. Innovative architectural problem-solving strategies can be derived from neuroscience knowledge, allowing a more scientifically proven user-centered design. The interdisciplinary collaboration in architecture design, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence may offer a new concept generation to design our built environment. The neuroarchitecture design approach, combined with artificial intelligence engineering, can create an environment that produces impulses that directly affect the human brain’s response and induce happiness. Endorphin, called the happy hormone, can be stimulated to develop happy feelings essential for today’s stressful life. This theoretical study aims to determine how architectural elements affect happiness through endorphin stimulation. An interdisciplinary literature study involving architecture and neuropsychology of both theoretical and methodological was adopted to explore this possibility. The result showed that the architectural environment could generate happiness, potentially indicating the endorphin presence. This study recommends using Virtual Reality apparatus to experiment and a blood test to check the endorphin level in the human body.
Transforming Medellín: architecture and urban design as agents of social change
This article examines the transformative impact of Sergio Fajardo’s mayoral administration (2003–2007) in Medellín, Colombia, focusing on architecture and urban design projects that have promoted equity. Central to this urban renaissance was the Proyecto Urbano Integral (PUI) Nororiental, which revitalized informal settlements in the city’s northeastern zone. The initiative leveraged financing from Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM), a city-owned utility company, ensuring sustainable investment in public works without reliance on international loans. This financial model enabled the redistribution of funds to Medellín’s poorest neighborhoods, fostering transparency and combating corruption. Key to this urban strategy was the involvement of the Empresa de Desarrollo Urbano (EDU) which implemented the PUI with an intersectional planning approach combining public transit, education, culture, recreation, health, and safety initiatives. The PUI emphasized community participation through “Imaginary Workshops” promoting ownership and engagement among residents. The PUI Nororiental, enhanced by the Metrocable transit system and associated public spaces, has successfully integrated isolated neighborhoods while reducing violence and fostering social cohesion. Despite critiques of high costs, this article argues that quality public spaces and civic buildings promote community pride and destigmatization. Medellín’s “social urbanism” serves as a model for addressing inequity in Latin America and the broader Global South, demonstrating how architecture and urban design can drive social change.