Expressions of Islamic ideas and foundations in the noble Iranian-Islamic architecture, (case study: Khan School in Shiraz)

Abstract

Architecture means creating and building and it is among the arts which culminates the talent of developing human creativity power. Architecture is related to religious-humanistic culture and idea more than any other art. Iranian architecture is one of the richest samples of native architecture in the world which achievements cannot be denied. Features such as the humanization, autarky, avoidance of absurdity, etc. are used as the main branches in architecture of buildings. Also, the art of architecture in mosque and school, like any other sacred art, has semantically an exterior and an esoteric form, that the Divine Beauty can be seen in unity between the two. A beauty that is empty of form, as all forms are expressed in it. But the question raises here how thought and meaning has entered the architecture, and how they take physical manifestation. This paper, while examining the impact of Islamic thought in Iran traditional urbanism, especially Islamic schools; briefly examines how Islamic thought is reflected in the form of a symbol in decorations and the physical characteristics of religious buildings, as well as their expression and impact in non-religious buildings are examined.

In this study, using a combined descriptive-interpretative method, the architecture of Shiraz Khan School is surveyed. It is among the qualitative researches. Its data is obtained from the desk and documentary studies.

Keywords: Islamic foundations, Iranian valuable architecture, wisdom of art, ideas, Khan School in Shiraz