Oil Colonialism and the Formation of Villa Architecture in Masjid I Sulaiman: A Spatial-Cultural Analysis Using Space Syntax and Hermeneutics

Subject Areas : Urban Design

Neda Arzani Birgani ¹ , Ahmad Reza Kaboli ^{2 *} , Seyedeh Sedigheh Mirgozar Langaroudi ³ , Mohamad Ali Rahimi ⁴

1 - Department of Architecture, Ahv. C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
2 - Department of Architecture, Mahs. C., Islamic Azad University, Mahshahr, Iran.
3 - Department of Architecture, Ahv. C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
4 - Department of Architecture, Bu.C., Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran.

Received: 2025-07-27 Accepted : 2025-09-06 Published : 2025-09-09

Keywords: Spatial analysis, hermeneutics, oil colonialism, villa architecture, Masjid I Sulaiman,

Abstract :

The oil industry in the modern era has played a pivotal role in population growth, industrialization, and the formation of modern cities, particularly in Iran's Khuzestan province. Beyond their industrial function, oil wells have had a profound impact on urbanization, architecture, and lifestyles in Masjid I Sulaiman, serving as significant symbols. The physical development of this city accelerated with the construction of residential complexes for oil industry workers and industrial infrastructure, leading to a redefinition of Masjid I Sulaiman's urban identity at the intersection of tradition and modernity—an identity that distinguishes the city. This study examines the impact of British colonial presence and oil industry activities on the development of villa-style housing in Masjid I Sulaiman, intending to analyze the formation of this housing type under these influences. Previous studies have focused on the economic and social impacts of the oil industry; however, the effects of oil wells on spatial and architectural patterns in oil cities, such as Masjid I Sulaiman, have been underexplored. This research analyzes the role of industrial elements in shaping residential patterns by examining spatial and architectural aspects. Employing a qualitative approach, the study uses hermeneutic phenomenology and space syntax to analyze the cultural and spatial dimensions of villa-style housing. The space syntax analysis reveals that the courtyards of Bagh-e Melli and G-Type, with high integration, enhance social interactions, while Scotch Crescent, with greater spatial depth, indicates class segregation. The hermeneutic analysis portrays bungalows as multilayered texts that represent social, cultural, and economic meanings, highlighting their architectural heritage.

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