International Journal of

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Architectural training is a part of higher education. One of the most important issues in this context is the judgment and measurement of design students' abilities and achievements. This research aims to answer the question of possibility of a model or method for a purposive and clear judgment, so that in addition to the academic achievements of architecture as a field of study, the level of architectural design for future engineers and designers will be promoted. Reviewing the literature of the context, the two terms "assessment" and "evaluation” are initially clarified. Through these two concepts, the JAAD (Judgment of Academic Architectural Designs) model is introduced and then examined for the judgment of undergraduate architectural designs, considering design of a commercial complex as a sample to arrive at a prototype. It is expected that by using this model, lecturers will be able to achieve more purposive and accurate judgments. In addition, students can take effective steps through purposive designs in order to improve the level of training and learning of architecture, which ultimately results in flourishing architectural achievements in future.

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Achievement of thermal comfort in the built environment is one of the human life needs. Many studies have already explored the issues around human comfort in relation to the surrounding thermal environment. However, most of these studies used quantitative methods that fall into the positivist paradigm. Despite the conducive results obtained, many aspects of the thermal comfort are neglected as the nature of comfort is directly associated with the human dimension. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a different approach such as qualitative and mixed methods to better understand the underlying mechanisms of thermal comfort concept and its achievement. These methods could reveal other aspects of human comfort that have not been considered. However, the application of these methods requires fundamental knowledge of ontology and epistemology. Therefore, this paper reviewed and compared the dynamics of the application of the paradigms in thermal comfort studies and their methodologies. Analytical findings among the methods of studying thermal comfort showed that only quantitative studies were not sufficient to create the applied knowledge in this vein. As this is a human-based field, its methodology should be first selected and then designed in the right way respecting the context where a study is going to be carried out. In this process, qualitative studies can determine contributing factors, then quantitative studies can find the relationships between these factors.

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Designers can use the story, as a common language, to improve the packaging of cultural artifacts. Knife packaging, as one of the most important handicrafts of Zanjan province, can be a factor in supplying and selling this product in domestic and foreign markets. The main objectives of this research were to provide a design process for designing products related to emotions. To this end, a collection of stories related to this product was extracted; 30 users were surveyed and questioned as a sample. This study uses a descriptive-analytical method. In the descriptive part we have studied the storytelling method in the design process and in the analytical section we offered a checklist of stories and proverbs and examined them. Finally, the best story was chosen, and the knife was designed using the principles of storyboarding and scenario planning and considering the story-based packaging designed by principles. After taking time to make sure that the questionnaire was fully understood by the user and conducting the survey, the data were extracted, and statistical analysis was performed. The feedback of the users was reviewed and according to the results, it can be found out that the principles of the story in Zanjan knife packaging design have a significant effect on the interaction and emotions of users.

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This paper seeks to study the impacts of different dimensions of ICTs on urban design. Due to the inevitable digitalization of our lives which has a direct impact on urban design, it sounds that providing a redefinition of the concept of urban design is necessary. Although there are various studies about the impacts of ICTs on dimensions of cities, in this study, we consider the concept of urban design specifically. After reviewing various key aspects in urban design which were highlighted by practitioners and writers, eight dimensions were chosen to be investigated. These metrics include morphological, perceptual, social, visual, functional, temporal, environmental, and economic dimensions. We try to address digitalization in the sense that how urban design can help to bridge the science and process of urban design by investigating the impact of ICTs on a few key selected dimensions. This study aims to present a clear and compatible image of urban design in the digital era. The resulting changes from globalization are expected to update the process of urban design. The study presents a qualitative perception of the imperative-analytical technique through a content review and qualitative coding (open, axial, and selective coding) in the first part. We tried to assess the views in chronological order in an urban context to present an updated definition of urban design: urban design is a process of enhancing the qualities of urban environments which would be facilitated by using ICTs tools.

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The importance of using visual social media as the digital learning and inspiration resources in architecture is blatantly obvious. On the contrary, there are still gaps in the position of those platforms in the elements of creativity and performance within design studios. The major research question is how does the architecture students' use of architectural content on Instagram relate to their creativity and design studio performance? The paper aims to determine the relations of defined Instagram usage parameters with creativity indicators and students' grades in studios. After crafting the theoretical framework, the correlational research method was used to define the correlations between variables by Spearman’s correlation coefficient. All 72 students of the Design Studio III course during 2018-2020 at Tabriz Islamic Art University reported their Instagram usage parameters and design grades. Their creativity was measured by Abedi’s version of the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, and the data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results revealed significant and positive correlations between the students’ performance and the overall score of creativity, fluency, and originality; but, no correlation was found in elaboration and flexibility. Also, there is a significant and positive correlation between Instagram use and flexibility of creativity. However, no significant correlations were reported between Instagram use and their studio performance. Hence, despite enhancing the flexibility, students cannot consider Instagram as a tool to achieve success in studios. Furthermore, the assessment system of the studios in Iran doesn’t cover all aspects of creativity, and it’s crucial to construct a new architecture-oriented creativity test.

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In this study, the importance of decisions of industrial designers in the primary stage of the design of products in terms of reducing environmental impacts was evaluated. In this descriptive research, the relationship between designers’ awareness and design quality in terms of waste reduction considerations was assessed. Then,
56 industrial designers as the research participants filled out the questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed by SPSSWin 23. Statistical analysis of the results based on the Spearman rank test showed that there was a significant relationship between choosing a sustainable approach to design and reducing product waste after its life cycle. Moreover, the level of responsibility of industrial designers for the environment is effective in reducing product waste. Questionnaire analysis showed that designers who cared about the fate of their designed products after the end of the life cycle frequently used sustainable approach. The results showed that designers who took a sustainable approach to design and cared about the fate of the products after the end of their life cycle designed products in such a way that they could be reused. There was also a significant relationship between the choice of a sustainable approach by designers and the use of recycled materials in new products. It seems that more awareness should be raised and further studies should be conducted to improve benefiting of designers’ sustainable approaches as well as to raise their awareness about the necessity of observing the sustainable development objectives.

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The performance-based design (PBSD) begins with defining performance goals. Performance-based seismic design accurately predicts the structure's performance during an earthquake. Recognizing and analyzing the structure's performance capacity is critical in performance-based design. This project was to do a PBSD on a (G+10) RCC construction. The building is first studied and built in STAAD PRO. Then, it was imported into the ETABS 2019 program to do a more detailed analysis of the displacement-controlled pushover analysis. The ETABS yields the structure's performance point, story displacement, capacity spectrum, Story drift, and demand spectrum. After the original design, a nonlinear pushover analysis is done to find out how well the building can withstand earthquakes and whether or not the goal was met, as well. In this research, we looked at the seismic code IS 1893 (Part 1) and the concrete design code IS 456: 2000 in order to make sure the building was safe. After obtaining all of the results, the structure's performance was compared for the various scenarios investigated and the optimal combination was determined.
 

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One of the main goals of the resilient discourse in the recent urban design literature has been creating resilient places. Urban resilience is defined by the URFs (urban resilience features) for operation and realization in various fields. Due to continuous urban developments, there is a need to revise URFs with a place-based approach. URFs addressed in literature are so diverse that placing them into one single general list creates many contradictions and ambiguities. To reduce or eliminate inconsistencies in the definition of URFs and the qualitative performance of each URF in delivering urban resilience, this paper justifies the key factors for ordering and classifying URFs. In this study, a systematic review of the literature on urban resilience was performed in five stages using the Scopus databases within the 1973-February 2020 period. Then, 16 URFs, using three guidelines based on the corresponding evaluation of place and resilience, were identified and classified into three groups: (1) the intrinsic (internal) characteristics of the constituent components of a resilient system, (2) the behavioral proxies (proactive/reactive) of a resilient system and (3) the resilience-reinforcing attributes of a system in relation to the external environment. This study can shed light on the proper definition of urban resilience and its operational URFs.

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Nowadays, global climate change makes urban planners and designers pay more attention to thermal islands to enhance thermal comfort conditions in cities. The present study aims to investigate the effects of evergreen and deciduous tree placement patterns, tree canopy height, and tree canopy diameter on the enhancement of ambient temperature and improvement of thermal comfort conditions. The ENVI-met model was used to replicate the research region and site. It was validated by comparing the outputs of the model with the values from field measurements. Finally, the recommended scenarios were simulated in the model to discover those scenarios with better performance in enhancing outdoor thermal comfort and temperature on days with low temperatures. At low-temperature situations, planting evergreen trees irregularly had a stronger impact on the improvement of thermal comfort (PMV) compared to deciduous trees. Furthermore, in all models, Populus nigra and Platanus showed the worst performance in boosting ambient temperature. Landscape designers and urban planners might use the findings to improve urban green space, construct sustainable cities, and enhance air temperature.
 

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For years, research on daylight in work environments with different climates has been important for researchers to distribute light evenly in the indoor space in order to create a healthy work environment and visual comfort. This study examines the effect of horizontal and vertical shading devices, the depth and distance of louvres on daylight with the aim of increasing DLA (daylight autonomy) for Abrisham tower in Tabriz, Iran. As input parameters the depth of louvres was considered 5 and 15 cm and their distance were considered 150 and 200 cm. Modeling was performed in Rhinoceros software and the Simulation was done in Grasshopper plugin to control the geometric parameters and with the help of ladybug and honeybee plugins. The multi-objective simulation tool, octopus was used to optimizing. Results show that vertical louvers caused more light reduction. Furthermore, the simulation effects of shaders parameter's include depth and distance being examined and analyzed, it seemed that the distance between louvers in this case and in Tabriz is more important variable and moreover, using reflective material or coating on louver’s surface as there are many weeks are overcasting theirs in Tabriz can help and improve internal light autonomy. The optimal cases that were obtained for north façade windows are horizontal louvres with a depth of 5 and a distance of 190 cm and vertical louvres with a depth of 15 cm and a distance 200 cm. In south facade are horizontal louvres with a depth of 13 and a distance of 161 cm and vertical louvres with a depth of 14 cm and a distance of 153 cm.

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In the current study, an endeavor is undertaken to formulate specific recommendations for the design of facades pertaining to infill buildings situated in the proximity of valuable urban Qajar residences within the Mazandaran province. The conspicuous lack of such directives within the regulatory framework of this region is noteworthy. The imposition of guidelines pertaining to façade design is imperative to establish visual congruence between contemporary structures and historical Qajar edifices in the urban landscapes of Mazandaran province. The present investigation employs a comprehensive approach, integrating both the interpretive-historical strategy and the logical argumentation strategy. A scrutiny of 30 valuable urban Qajar residences in Mazandaran province is conducted, wherein their distinctive features are systematically classified under eight discernible categories. Subsequently, a conceptual framework is developed by leveraging Semes' design strategies model and drawing inspiration from Groat's theoretical framework. Concurrently, the practicalities inherent in Mazandaran's urban conservation system are taken into consideration. This conceptual framework serves as the foundation for the articulation of facade design recommendations, delineating acceptable design methodologies for its constituent elements. Within this framework, a concerted effort is exerted to advocate conservative strategies for the macro elements of facade design, juxtaposed with latitude for more abstract approaches when addressing the micro elements. It is noteworthy that the intentional opposition approach is deemed unsuitable. Ultimately, drawing upon typological analyses of the compiled samples and adhering to the established framework, a series of recommendations for facade design is proffered. This study serves as a foundational step toward the formulation of design guidelines tailored to the historic districts of Mazandaran.

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Architecture, akin to other forms of art, often transcends mere functional considerations, striving to re-present reality in a manner that engages the senses and shapes the human psyche. The Iranian Garden, also known as the Persian Garden, holds a distinctive status in Iranian spatial and environmental design. Its meticulously balanced and structured amalgamation of natural and man-made elements has transformed the Iranian Garden into a global phenomenon, offering a uniquely nuanced portrayal of the world. This investigation delves into three specific Iranian gardens, aiming to elucidate how reality is re-presented within Iranian garden design to attain a transcendent experience. Utilizing a qualitative and interpretive analysis of contemporary theories addressing issues related to image and reality, this paper initially introduces three categories for representing reality—intensification, integration, and transformation—alongside two realms of experience: the corporeal and the mental. These modes of depicting and experiencing reality are subsequently explored within the context of three renowned Iranian gardens—Dolatabad Garden of Yazd, Fin Garden of Kashan, and Shazdeh Mahan Garden of Kerman. This examination serves to illustrate the diverse design solutions employed to re-present familiar reality to observers. The evaluation of these gardens involved on-site visits, personal immersion in the garden environments, and a reliance on existing documentation and theories regarding these spaces. The findings of this study reveal a sophisticated and adept utilization of architectural and spatial components in garden design. Through varied approaches to re-presenting familiar reality, these gardens craft an aesthetic experience that stimulates the senses and elevates both the intellect and the spirit. Such interpretations of the traditional Iranian Garden offer valuable insights for designers seeking to emulate the spatial qualities without resorting to the replication of familiar motifs and forms. It is anticipated that a deeper comprehension of how the Iranian Garden re-presents the familiar will guide future endeavors to adapt it for contemporary times, steering clear of deviations that might compromise its essential nature.

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Architectural education at the undergraduate level primarily focuses on design studios, which are conducted through critique sessions. These sessions are crucial for fostering communication between tutors and students, making them a key component of architectural education. Despite the emphasis on visual presentation in various courses, verbal communication receives less attention. To address this gap, it is essential to explore knowledge centered on human communication and strategies for improvement. Rhetoric, a concept introduced by philosophers and literary scholars, forms the foundation of all human communication by focusing on persuasive techniques. This research investigates critique sessions in architectural design studios, particularly examining the communication between tutors and students within the framework of rhetorical knowledge. The goal is to enhance this communication by elucidating the critique session and the relationship between teacher and student. The research employs a combination of descriptive and analytical strategies, along with logical reasoning, to address two primary questions: "How can the critique session be defined as a rhetorical situation?" and "What are the persuasion techniques used at each stage of the architectural design studio?" By applying rhetorical situation theory and persuasive methods, the research presents techniques for each stage of the architectural design studio, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of critique sessions. The findings suggest that effective communication in these sessions relies on clear, coherent expression and logically presented criticisms and suggestions. This creates a persuasive context that facilitates mutual understanding. As a result, architectural students not only acquire design skills but also develop the ability to communicate convincingly and defend their designs effectively in various scenarios.

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Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently encounter sensory sensitivities in school settings that diverge from those experienced by adult stakeholders, such as parents, teachers, and professionals. This research examines the disparities and commonalities in spatial preferences between children with mild ASD and adult stakeholders, aiming to utilize these insights to guide the design of autism-friendly educational environments. Employing a two-phase mixed-methods approach comprising interviews and questionnaires, this study engaged 210 participants: 80 children aged 9-18 with ASD (14 in Phase 1 and 64 in Phase 2) and 130 adult stakeholders (32 in Phase 1 and 98 in Phase 2). Thematic analysis conducted in Phase 1 and factor analysis in Phase 2 identified several critical spatial factors, including stability and constancy, a calm and subdued atmosphere, prominent classroom views, spacious learning environments, familiarity and predictability, large classroom windows, and gradual exposure. While there were some areas of overlap with adult perspectives, notable differences highlighted the necessity of incorporating children's viewpoints in school design. Based on this premise, the study introduces an integrated model for designing autism-friendly schools informed by these findings. This model aims to propose strategies for creating learning environments that support the well-being and educational needs of children with ASD.

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Urban densities are prone to the urban heat island (UHI) effect, resulting in decreased outdoor thermal comfort for the growing urban populations in hot and dry climates. Canyon layout, surface materials, green cover, and ground moisture can alter the outdoor microclimates of urban canyons at the canopy layer. While the isolated impact of urban cooling strategies is researched extensively, the integration of these UHI mitigation strategies into design compositions for complex projects has yet to be thoroughly examined. This study explores the impact of six different design scenarios for the redevelopment of the entry canyon for the Afifabad garden in Shiraz during the hottest and coldest times of the last decade. The design scenarios include the final proposed and past layouts of the site, along with four interim scenarios introducing feasible compositions of greenery and cool surfaces.
The ENVI-met model of the site is validated by field measurement data from 2021, and then used to simulate all six scenarios for the hottest and coldest days of a typical year. The predicted mean vote (PMV) and physiological equivalent temperature (PET) values were calculated from the simulation results and evaluated to identify the most feasible and impactful design compositions. Findings indicate that high albedo pavements were not effective in isolation (scenario 4) and led to an increase in the mean radiant temperature (MRT). Street trees and vegetation were the most influential isolated measures, resulting in a 2.61°C variation in PET. The most impactful results were related to the combined effect of trees, turf, and cool surfaces, which resulted in up to an 11.3°C variation in PET due to the combination of appropriate greenery, shading over surfaces, and cool covers. Understanding the details of the impact of design configurations, when addressing heat stress adaptation in cities, enables the implementation of UHI mitigation strategies into feasible urban retrofit and regeneration projects.

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In today's global market, products that meet users' emotional needs are more likely to succeed. Emotional design involves designers incorporating affective thought and user emotions to create a strong emotional connection between the user and the product. Culture plays a significant role in emotional design and user interaction. This study focuses on redesigning dinnerware based on Iran's tradition and cultural heritage. From the viewpoint of design parameters, five historical pottery periods, namely the Samanid, Seljuq, Ilkhanid, Timurid, and Safavid periods, were analyzed, and results were collected. A cultural design model was then created using Kano's questionnaire, which was distributed to thirty participants, both male and female, who were presented with questions related to the redesign of dinnerware. Kano's questionnaire included 16 questions about glazes, colors, patterns, and some of the design ideas used in the vessels from each historical period. A graphical image representing the outstanding pottery of each era was prepared and shown to participants. The results were analyzed using statistical approaches, revealing the cultural-emotional needs of users when interacting with the product. The results indicate a higher preference among Iranian users for ceramic features from the Timurid period. Additionally, the findings suggest that incorporating Sasanian patterns and simple arabesques into the vessels will better attract Iranian users. This approach helps create a more effective and engaging product for users.
 

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The study is an exploratory research based on a systematic review conducted qualitatively. It examines recent studies on the growing trends towards design participation in innovation management processes, specifically focusing on one of the main streams of research: design-driven innovation and the innovation of meaning. This research aims to define and introduce the infrastructure of this field. Therefore, the elements of analytical innovation and interpretive innovation are extracted from sources and compared across several parameters. Analytical innovation is characterized by structured and logical approaches, while interpretive innovation involves subjectivity and context. After defining hermeneutics as the science of interpretation, hermeneutic concepts are analyzed and extracted in relation to interpretive innovation in a design workshop. Concepts such as the hermeneutics of discourse, horizon of expectation, fusion of horizons, hermeneutic dialogue, metaphor, and narrative are discussed. To determine the complex relationship between hermeneutic concepts and visual representation design concepts, a bibliographic network of studies in this field was conducted. This included topics like interpretation, communication, phenomenology, design thinking, and human-centered design practice. Looking ahead, hermeneutics is poised to influence cultural inclusiveness, sustainability, ethical considerations, and interdisciplinary collaboration in design. It will also play a fundamental role in shaping digital experiences and fostering responsible innovation. Embracing these possibilities leads to a more holistic and ethically informed approach to design-driven innovation in our evolving world.

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This study conducts a thorough literature review to explore the relationship between the physical learning environment and creativity. Addressing a gap in understanding how specific attributes impact creative processes, the research aims to inform the development of innovative learning environments. Using a four-step methodology, the study involves selecting relevant articles, creating a classification framework, analyzing environmental factors' effects on learning, and interpreting findings to elucidate the correlation between physical attributes and creativity. Bibliometric analysis reveals growing scholarly interest in creative spaces. Findings emphasize the substantial impact of elements like furniture flexibility, resource accessibility, and lighting conditions on creative thinking. Key themes highlight critical factors like lighting, furniture arrangement, and diverse roles of environmental elements, contributing to enhanced cognitive performance. The study underscores the potential of optimized learning spaces to nurture creativity, promote problem-solving skills, and stimulate innovation. By enriching knowledge on the influence of physical environments on creativity, this research provides valuable insights for educators, designers, and policymakers aiming to create inspiring and effective learning environments.
 

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Various methods have been employed in vernacular architecture, to achieve energy efficiency in different regions worldwide, especially in facade designs. In Iran, most vernacular buildings are still in use without major modifications and renovations, even in harsh climatic conditions. This study uses mathematical analysis to conduct a quantitative approach toward principles used in the façade design of Bushehr's vernacular architecture. The research critically examined the physical characteristics of eight residential buildings, which were selected as case studies. These parameters included window-to-wall ratios, the surface area for each facade, and the size of different openings concerning height and weight. These physical characteristics of the selected houses were systematically extracted for both the interior and exterior facades, delineating eighteen criteria. The statistical analyses were done using IBM SPSS Statistics version 16.0. The results revealed fourteen linear models—six models related to the exterior facades, five models concerned with interior facades, and three models about the opening. Although the linear models are specific to the vernacular architecture of Bushehr, the research method and approach outlined in this study have the potential to contribute to a framework that can be used by other researchers to uncover underlying principles in vernacular facades elsewhere around the world.