Four Elemennts (Water, Earth, Air and Fire), an Iranian Pattern for Urban Park Deign

Subject Areas : Environmental acriculture

farnaz Nazem ¹ , Freshteh Habib ² , kianoush Suzanchi ³

1 - M. Sc in Environmental Design Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 - Assistant Professor, Pardis Branch, Islamic Azad University, Pardis, Iran. ٭(Corresponding Author)
3 - Assistant Professor, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran

Received: 2016-06-18 Accepted : 2016-10-05 Published : 2020-04-20

Keywords: Four Elements Park, Iranian pattern, Water, earth, air, fire,

Abstract :

Background and Objective: Four elements of Water, Earth, Air and Fire have been considered as the foundation for describing all natural science phenomena since bygone era and have been respected during different periods in Iran. These four elements have been thought as one of the common aspects between Iranian myths and beliefs in different eras. By emphasis on the values of the past culture, this research tries to reintroduce the values of nature and present the general pattern for designing the four elements park through reminding the concepts of these four elements. Method: The concept of four elements, Earth, Water, Fire and Air have been studied in  the historical record of Iran since prehistoric era, ancient times of Iran and Islamic era ( Avicenna's era and traditional – Islamic medicine) and the characteristics and symbols of four elements have been surveyed. Then by summarizing these concepts and using some parks and gardens in Iran and other countries, some symbols and parameters were presented for describing these elements in the design and then this data was evaluated by using the questionnaire in Shahreza as the case study. Findings: According to the symbols and parameters used for representing these elements, amenities are divided into four groups. Finally by analyzing the connection between these four elements in arranging spatial organization, a pattern for designing the four elements park is presented. Discussion and Conclusion: There are a lot of concepts in scientific, cultural and historical records of Iran that can be turned into spatial elements. According to the symbolism characteristic of four elements, this issue is one of the concepts that can be used in park design. Visiting this park is influential in reminding Iranians of their identity.

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