Manifestation of Art in Architecture and Urban Engineering

The aim of this study is to design a nursing home in District 22 of Tehran using an eclectic architectural approach to meet the psychological, social, and physical needs of the elderly. This applied research adopts a descriptive-analytical method using library, documentary, and field-based data. Theoretical and psychological foundations related to aging and elderly care environments were collected from academic sources. Then, through the analysis of domestic and international case studies and the climatic assessment of District 22, site planning was carried out. A physical program was also developed for 250 residents, covering residential, therapeutic, rehabilitation, administrative, service, and cultural spaces, based on architectural standards. Field analysis and the development of the physical program indicated that eclectic architecture, due to its flexibility in form, color, and stylistic combinations, effectively addresses the multidimensional needs of the elderly. SWOT analysis confirmed that District 22 is climatically and environmentally suitable for such a project. The design of interactive spaces, green areas, integration of nostalgic and modern elements, and spatial variety play a key role in enhancing elderly residents’ sense of safety, independence, social interaction, and quality of life. The results show that using an eclectic architectural approach in nursing home design can promote mental health, increase life expectancy, and reduce social isolation in the elderly. This style allows architects to combine climatic, psychological, and cultural principles to create more humane and adaptive environments.

The manifestation of the ideas of artists in the form of one or a series of paintings on a global scale and becoming universal and even achieving international art is not only one of the main concerns of local and emerging artists. It is also the origin of many critics and theorists of art. In order to analyze the why and how, or in other words, the causes of the emergence of universal art and artists, therefore, reaching this valuable origin and becoming permanent in the history of world art requires sufficient awareness and recognition of global art as "universal" and "international art". This article addresses the question; what indicators have been effective in the emergence and decline of the globalization of art and artists? For this purpose, and to explain numerous indicators based on research conducted in the field of world art, and considering the importance of the extracted indicators, which are more than seventy indicators, the effective indicators of the globalization of art and painters were studied. A process-based study of the obtained indicators effective on world art showed; what intellectual backgrounds these indicators were influenced by and what consequences they had for art. By distinguishing between the main indicators such as; "cultural identity, attention to the content of the work, aesthetics of the work, communication strategies, worldview and ideology of the artist, the map of the exhibition owners in the real position of the painting, the role of critics in holding international exhibitions", the dimensions of these phenomena in the present era can be evaluated and their possibilities and conditions in the scope of globalization can be recognized. The findings of this article emphasize that the globalization of Iranian painters is not dependent on avoiding cultural identity and adhering to international artistic rules such as creating formalist works, but rather, through the obtained indicators, it is possible to create works based on cultural identity, paying attention to the content of the work, communication strategies, etc., to create paintings with a globalization approach.

The recreation of traditional architectural symbols in the Spaces of Niaki Neighborhood in Amol is recognized as an essential process for preserving the cultural and historical identity of this area. This study aims to examine the importance and challenges of recreating traditional architectural symbols and to analyze the factors influencing this process. Given the rapid urban changes and threats posed by modernization, the need for a comprehensive and sustainable approach to preserving and recreating these symbols is increasingly felt. The main objective of this research is to identify and analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to the recreation of traditional architectural symbols in the Niaki neighborhood of Amol. Considering the importance of preserving cultural and social identity, this study seeks to propose solutions to strengthen and facilitate the recreation process. Furthermore, this research investigates the social and economic impacts of this process on the neighborhood residents. A qualitative and mixed-method research approach is employed. Data collection is conducted through field methods including direct observation, semi-structured interviews with residents and architectural experts, as well as analysis of historical and cultural documents. The statistical population includes 45 individuals comprising residents, architects, and local cultural experts selected purposively. The findings are analyzed using the SWOT technique, which helps identify the factors affecting the recreation of traditional architectural symbols. The results indicate significant strengths such as cultural identity preservation and tourism attraction, while serious challenges like lack of awareness and economic difficulties are also highlighted. This study identifies opportunities to support recreation projects and sustainable tourism development that can aid in preserving and enhancing traditional architectural symbols. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of recreating traditional architectural symbols as a tool to strengthen the cultural and social identity of the Niaki neighborhood in Amol. Considering existing potentials and the need for financial and educational support, this study offers recommendations to facilitate the recreation process. In this way, it is possible to help preserve and improve the quality of life for residents and reinforce their sense of belonging to the place.

Given the increasing complexity of infrastructure projects and the necessity for effective control over costs and time, value engineering has, in recent years, gained widespread attention among project managers as a systematic and efficient approach. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of applying value engineering on the success of road construction projects in Qazvin Province. The statistical population of the research included 210 technical and operational personnel from road construction companies in Qazvin Province, from which 136 individuals were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data collection tools included two standardized questionnaires: the Mavoor and Pocktas value engineering model and the Turner and Müller (2004) civil project success model. The validity of the questionnaires was confirmed through expert opinion, and their reliability was verified using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0.9374 for value engineering and 0.9439 for project success). Path analysis results indicated that value engineering has a significant and positive impact on the success of road construction projects, although this effect is primarily evident in the initial study phase of the projects. These findings highlight the importance of applying value engineering principles during the decision-making and project design stages.

In recent decades, the increasing development of tall buildings in metropolitan areas has become one of the main indicators of the vertical expansion of cities. These structures are of particular importance not only due to their specific requirements in design and implementation, but also as prominent elements in the urban landscape, they play a key role in spatial identity. One of the most important challenges in designing tall buildings is choosing architectural forms that can simultaneously meet the requirements of aesthetics, structural efficiency, and stability against lateral loads such as earthquakes.

The present study aims to investigate the effect of floor plan geometry and their height scale on the structural performance of tall buildings, using the genetic algorithm optimization method in the Grasshopper environment and the Caramba plugin. In this regard, lateral displacement as an indicator of seismic vulnerability and unit weight of the structure surface as an indicator of structural efficiency have been analyzed as objective functions. By performing multi-objective analysis and defining geometric variables in the form of a parametric model, a set of optimal forms was produced that can be used as the basis for the designer's decision-making, depending on the design priorities. The research findings indicate that forms with a simple (triangular) roof plan and a compact scale in height have better performance from a seismic and weight perspective. On the other hand, the results show that the final design response does not simply have a definitive answer, but rather in the form of a "Pareto set of answers" the designer can select the final form based on criteria such as visual beauty, harmony with the climate and the project context. The final analysis of the models was performed in the Grasshopper parametric environment and its results can be used in a generalizable format for similar projects with diverse climatic and structural conditions

In today’s world, a portion of knowledge and environmental perception is mediated through the elements of color and form. Diverse colors evoke various emotional responses in humans. By utilizing the element of color, dynamic and diverse spaces can be created at different times of the day and night. The proper and appropriate application of colors in urban spaces enables the definition of a systematic and identity-rich pattern for the entire city. Colors can serve as definers of urban spaces and help distinguish between them. For people, colors act as visual cues, enhancing clarity and legibility within urban environments. Accordingly, the unintentional or uninformed use of color meanings and content may result in instability and ambiguity in the quality of urban spaces—a challenge currently faced by modern cities. The primary objective of this research is to examine the psychological and aesthetic impacts of the color element in improving the sense of place. Through the accurate and purposeful use of color, it is possible to preserve the historical character of a city while also responding to citizens’ needs. This study employed a "descriptive–analytical" research methodology and a "literature and archival review" strategy, alongside case study methods, field observation, and data collection through on-site studies. Specialized color software programs including Color Impact, Color Picker, and BacslCColor Catch were utilized to extract the color spectrum in order to develop a color palette aligned with the city's identity and historical monuments. This study aims to clarify the role of color in urban spaces and the factors that shape color within these environments, ultimately formulating a suitable color palette for the city. The findings of this research indicate that within each urban space, appropriate examples related to existing color qualities can serve as models for future urban design. Developing a color palette represents an effort to apply the color element purposefully and rationally across various urban spaces.

Aims: Given the importance of housing in sustainable urban development and the improvement of citizens' quality of life, the present study investigates the key indicators and components of design in Iran’s National Housing Plan.

Methodology: The research followed a three-stage approach. First, key housing planning components were identified through a document review of scientific sources, official reports, and international case studies. Six major indicators encompassing 30 components were recognized. The validity of these indicators was assessed using the Delphi method through two rounds with a panel of 30 experts. After confirming the components, a 30-item Likert-scale questionnaire was developed. The validity of the questionnaire was verified through expert judgment, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and AVE and CR indices. Reliability was measured using the test-retest method (correlation coefficient: 0.85) and Cronbach’s alpha (0.89). The statistical population included housing applicants, citizens, and researchers. The sample size was determined as 100 using Cochran’s formula. Finally, the data were weighted using the entropy method.

Findings: According to the results of the entropy model, economic indicators received the highest weight (0.177), followed by environmental components and building and architectural standards, each with a weight of 0.169. The lowest final weight was assigned to “design guidelines” (0.148), indicating its relatively lower influence in the overall assessment.

Conclusion: Based on the findings, the most important key indicators in the programming of Iran’s National Housing Plan were categorized into five main groups: architectural and building standards, managerial indicators, social indicators, economic components, and environmental aspects.

Significant land-use changes over recent decades have posed serious challenges to the ability of ecosystems to provide essential services. Consequently, it is critical to conduct a more precise assessment of the impacts of these changes on ecosystem services. This study aimed to predict future land-use maps using the Scenario Generator tool in the InVEST software suite. Past and current land-use maps were extracted and analyzed. Furthermore, the Habitat Quality tool within the same software was employed to evaluate the effects of land-use change on habitat quality in the Talar watershed, located in Mazandaran Province, Iran. The findings indicate that unregulated expansion of agricultural lands and residential areas—particularly during the 2024–2044 period—will significantly degrade habitat quality, with the most pronounced effects observed in the northern and eastern parts of the study area. Land degradation has also intensified over this period. The results suggest that human activities aimed at enhancing living standards and meeting the food demands of a growing population have led to the replacement of natural landscapes with agricultural and residential land uses. These changes have resulted in land degradation and a decline in habitat quality for both flora and fauna. If current trends persist, the extinction of native species in the near future is a serious risk. Therefore, it is imperative to adopt comprehensive and evidence-based management strategies to conserve and restore natural habitats—particularly forested areas—to improve ecosystem conditions and safeguard native species that rely on these ecosystems for survival.