Architectural Aesthetics and Cultural Identity: Dialogue and Integration of Place, Tradition and Modernity

Abstract

This research analyzes the complex relationship that exists between cultural identity and architectural aesthetics, suggesting that architecture is a holistic symbol of human culture. As a fundamental component of human existence, architecture thoroughly captures the artistic details that cannot be separated from a society's structural, historical, political, economic, and social features. In this paper, we highlight the fact that people in all communities attempt to construct architectural structures that reflect their norms and values by using material elements as a medium for expression. The impact of changing cultural and social attitudes on architectural development is a critical factor in driving transformation in communities. Culture plays a crucial role in determining architectural identity, as architectural forms become concrete representations of cultural norms and societal values. This study examines various historical buildings in Iran from different eras as representative instances. The study emphasizes the close relationship between community identity and culture, emphasizing that architecture, as a social phenomenon, both originates from and continues to reflect cultural influences.