Revisiting Methodological Aspects in the Interactions between Form and Meaning in the Architectural Geometry of Sufi Tombs of the Timurid Period in Khorasan
Keywords:
Sacred geometry, Sequential exploratory design, Mixed-methods approach , Khorasan , Timurid period, Sufi tombs , Architectural geometry, Body-meaning interaction, Methodological reviewAbstract
The funerary architecture of Sufis in Timurid-period Khorasan represents one of the most prominent manifestations of the interaction among form, meaning, and geometry. However, a review of the literature indicates that most previous studies have either addressed these buildings through historical-typological description, focused solely on the analysis of geometry and formal proportions, or referred generally to “meaning in architecture” without systematically explaining “how” these three domains interact. This theoretical-methodological gap has created a deficiency in the deep understanding of the logic underlying the formation of this valuable heritage. Given the identity crisis in contemporary architecture and the need to reread meaning-generating principles in Iranian-Islamic architecture, reconsidering the methodology for studying the interactions among form, meaning, and geometry in rich historical contexts such as the Sufi tombs of Timurid Khorasan appears necessary. This study was conducted with the aim of rereading and identifying the methodological aspects effective in studying the interactions between form and meaning in the formation of the architectural geometry of these tombs. The present study is fundamental-theoretical in nature and was conducted using the strategy of “systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis.” The research population included 120 domestic and international scholarly sources related to the domains of form, meaning, geometry, and funerary architecture, which, after a three-stage screening process, were examined using qualitative content analysis and three-level coding: open, axial, and selective coding. The findings indicate that the most important methodological aspects in this field fall into three categories: (1) purely qualitative approaches, including phenomenological, semiotic, and hermeneutic approaches, which are suitable for uncovering layers of meaning; (2) purely quantitative approaches, including proportional analysis and spatial statistics, which are applicable for the objective measurement of components; and (3) mixed-method approaches with a sequential exploratory design, which are introduced as the most comprehensive strategy for explaining the multilayered interactions among form, meaning, and geometry. Finally, a five-step methodological model based on a mixed-method approach is proposed.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Atiyehi Afkari Mehraban (Author); Amir Farajollahi Rod; Vahid Ahmadi, Mahdi Sahragard (Author)
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