Explanation of the Evolution and Influence of Modernism on the Architecture of Residential Apartment Complexes in Iran and Uzbekistan
Subject Areas : Life Space Journal
Nazanin
Islami
1
(Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qazvin Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran.)
Fariba
Alborzi
2
(Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qazvin Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran.Corresponding Author.)
Keywords: Contemporary Iranian Architecture, Residential Architecture (Apartment Complexes), Contemporary Uzbek Architecture, Soviet Modernism,
Abstract :
After World War II, between 1946 and 1978, Iran has experienced major social and urban changes, especially in the construction of residential apartment complexes. During this period, with the rapid growth of the urban middle class, the growth of construction and modern urban development have begun. In the 1950s, with the horizontal growth of the city, the central areas have been gradually characterized by apartment complexes and the international style has been known as one of the characteristic styles in Iran in the field of residential architecture. Iranian architects have been rapidly applying new construction methods in their work and have made significant progress in using modern technology in the construction of apartments. In the same period, the Soviet modernization campaign in Uzbekistan has led to major developments in the field of residential architecture in the country. Under Soviet influence, Tashkent has been always considered an important center for mass construction, especially housing. The 1966 earthquake in Tashkent caused extensive damage, especially to old buildings. Thus, in the process of rebuilding the city, modern high-rise buildings have replaced the old clay buildings. Therefore, considering the presence of Iran and Uzbekistan in the same historical period and the same geographical area and also the history of Iran and the rich cultural and historical roots shared by the two countries, this study aims to explain the effects of modernist processes in these societies on how residential complexes are architecturally structured in the contemporary period and the Second Pahlavi period in Iran and at the same time in Uzbekistan to answer the following questions: Have modernist movements in Iran and Uzbekistan influenced the development of residential complexes in the two countries? What are the nature and structure of the residential architecture evolution in Iran and Uzbekistan, and what are their similarities and differences? In terms of necessity and innovation in research, although many studies have been done on the historical and traditional architecture of Uzbekistan and its comparison with Iran, so far few studies have been done on the contemporary architecture of Uzbekistan and there is no study specifically examining the evolution of residential architecture (Residential apartment complexes) in Uzbekistan as well as the similarities and differences between residential apartment complexes in Iranian and Uzbek Contemporary architecture. The present research is a comparative study conducted with a qualitative approach using documentary and field studies. Historical–theoretical foundations are gathered by the interpretive historical research method, and the architecture of residential complexes are analyzed with a descriptive–analytical approach. The statistical population consists of all residential complexes constructed in Iran and Uzbekistan during the Second Pahlavi Era and at the same time in Uzbekistan and the sample comprises a number of residential complexes belonging to the same period (construction year) that share stylistic physical and functional similarities. Modernist approaches (in the physical dimension) are manifested by the emergence and formation of rectangular and square forms using new materials such as glass, concrete and steel, and applied geometrical elements dominant in the site plans (in the functional dimension). Flat roofs and facades with a rectangular system (objective dimension) and no decorative elementswere widely used in the apartments. The results indicate the objective, functional, and physical manifestation of the modernistic residential complexes components in both countries, with the greater manifestation of objective components. The residential complexes built during this period in both countries have similarities in terms of objective (the non-use of decorations and the use of ribbon windows in facade design), physical (plan design with straigth lines and 90-degree angles), and Functional (such as the integration of buildings with their physical context, regardless of context, culture and geography, and attention to functionalist engineering considerations instead of aesthetic components) dimensions. Uzbekistan, however, displayed an attempt to restore its historical roots from 1971 to 1983, which are reflected in the nationalistic style of architecture materialized in the Islamic decorations of the building façades dating back to this period. But in the late Soviet era, apartments built in Uzbekistan have tried to reflect Uzbek national culture by using Islamic-era decorations. Also during this period, two-story houses with private open courtyards and windowless exteriors have been built, in addition to residential apartment complexes, marking a return to the traditional and local lifestyle of the Uzbek family.
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