The Effect of Geometric Forms of Post-Islamic Architectural Facades on the Audience's Perception of Structural Resistance

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hediehsadat Hosseinian 1
Mojtaba Ansari 2
1 1- PhD student in Architecture, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
2 2- Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. (Correspondence), ansari-m@modares.ac.ir
10.48311/bsnt.2025.116830.82879
Abstract
Aims: Geometric proportions and forms used in architectural façades profoundly influence human emotions and reactions, serving as the visual language through which buildings express structural stability and strength. The present study aims to analyze the impact of geometric forms in post-Islamic Iranian architectural façades on the audience’s perception of structural resistance. It explores whether the geometric composition of façades affects how viewers understand the stability and durability of buildings.
Methods: Four major architectural styles of Iran Khorasani style, Razi style, Azari style, and Isfahani style were comparatively examined. A descriptive-survey method with a quantitative approach was applied to analyze the geometric and structural characteristics of these post-Islamic architectural styles. The consistency and relative influence of each geometric component were evaluated and compared using the Shannon Entropy method to quantify their perceptual contribution to the sense of structural resistance.
Findings: The results indicate that architectural geometry plays a crucial role not only in technical performance but also in shaping the psychological and visual perception of structural stability among audiences. The study highlights the dual aesthetic and structural communicative function of geometry in architectural façades.

Conclusion: The Isfahani style, with its symmetrical design and four-iwan layout, demonstrates clarity in conveying structural strength, while the Azari style manifests power through monumental scale. In contrast, the simpler geometric compositions of the Razi style and Khorasani style may reduce the perceived sense of structural resistance. These findings suggest that historical geometric principles can inform contemporary façade design by enhancing visual and structural resilience.

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  • Receive Date 05 October 2025
  • Revise Date 28 November 2025
  • Accept Date 23 December 2025