Analysis of formal and semantic patterns of the water system in the Safavid building basin

Contemporary Iranian architecture is facing an identity crisis in its relationship with its historical legacy. Some architects, in an effort to preserve tradition, resort to superficial imitation of historical architectural forms, while others, aiming to align with the present, completely distance themselves from the past and seek authenticity through disconnection. In contrast, Iran's historical architecture particularly during the Safavid period demonstrated a creative balance between continuity with tradition and responsiveness to the needs of its own time. Understanding this balanced approach can help clarify the current ambiguity regarding the relationship between contemporary and traditional Iranian architecture. One of the most enduring and significant elements in Iranian architecture, which has appeared in various forms across different periods and regions, is the pool. This study explores the formal and symbolic patterns of pools in Safavid-era architecture and seeks to show how water, in the form of the pool, maintained its conceptual continuity despite its diverse physical manifestations. The pool functioned not only as a climatic and utilitarian feature but also carried symbolic, cultural, and even religious meanings, capable of being reinterpreted in multiple spatial forms. This research employs a qualitative, historical-interpretive methodology. Data were collected through library-based research from primary sources on Iranian architectural history, including historical texts, correspondence, poetry, miniature paintings, travelogues, and archival reports. The findings reveal that pools during the Safavid period appeared in a variety of formal configurations within both interior and exterior spaces of buildings. These spatial compositions harmonized deeply with the principles of Iranian architecture, addressing practical, environmental, and ritual needs while also offering aesthetic and symbolic richness rooted in Islamic traditions and the broader cultural legacy of ancient Iran.

کلیدواژه ها:

Safavid architecture ، symbolism of water ، Iranian architectural identity ، historical interpretation ، pool design