The concept as an important section of the design process in the architecture industry has always been taken into consideration by domestic and foreign architecture research and literature. Therefore, the present study evaluated the process of creating a concept and its difference with synonyms, using a descriptive-analytical method and mathematical AHP, and identified the methods of creating concepts in architecture, using pairwise comparisons and a sample of 25 experts, and then determined the importance of each one through a field study. The results of research in the first phase of the study indicated eight methods for creating a concept. Therefore, creating a concept may be done using one of the following methods, analogy, metaphor, experience, symbolism, context, scheme, and scenario. The second phase of the study was conducted using paired comparisons and ranking analysis and indicated that, from the experts' views, there was almost a similarity in the importance of using concept methods in commercial and office complexes. Further, the three methods, analogy, metaphor, and theme, had higher weights and importance. Unlike concept creation in office and commercial complexes, the context method has the highest importance and weight in residential complexes. In these complexes, the metaphor method is as important as administrative and commercial complexes and among the first three most important methods. Manuscript profile

School buildings forming a large part of the public buildings, are among the most important consumers of energy in Iran. Given the existing construction conditions, these buildings seem to have considerable potential for energy efficiency if the construction and design methods are reformed. Therefore, numerous researchers have analyzed geometrical factors influencing energy consumption in buildings, but few researchers have specifically and precisely studied building orientation. In this research, a two-classroom school with a simple and extendable plan, typical of hot and arid regions in Iran was studied. The objective is to conclude optimum orientation for minimum energy demand, taking into consideration the provision of a thermally comfortable environment inside. Building performance simulation (using Design Builder software) was applied to support design optimization. To this end, 72 models were simulated in different directions with a 5-degree variance, and the 10-degree range of the minimum annual energy consumption was obtained. Afterward, the simulation with the 1-degree variance was repeated using the same range and the results were compared. Finally, it was suggested that the model with the orientation of 109 degrees longitudinal yields the minimum energy consumption. Other methods of saving energy in this region were also discussed. Consequently, the comparison of the results revealed that the effect of building orientation on reducing annual energy consumption in Zahedan is noticeable, considering the number of typical buildings and life span of the buildings. Manuscript profile