نسیم اشرفی

Recognizing the link between “Cognition" and "Architectural Creation” indicates that there is a relation between subject and object. Correct understanding of this relationship helps artistic creativity, especially in the architecture, to take steps towards proving truth that have caused works to be continued over the past times. Knowledge and cognitions in architecture are categories that today theory of which have been neglected to be explained. Failure to comply with epistemology1, i.e. incorrect epistemology, has resulted to subjective ideas which are emerged in the framework of ideologies expressed in architecture, as a form inconsistent with national and Islamic identity. So that once more, the ideas resulting from perception of the created works, with replacement of concepts and ideas instead of principles and truth of work, tend to reject previous cognition and suggest new cognition-based theories which not only will not lead to integration in works creation but it will be one step away from reality. This process continues until now, due to lack of understanding about the origins of the crisis, the trend is adopted as an individualistic process and art knowledge is juxtaposed with artistic taste. This study is an attempt to review and recognize the role of knowledge in the past process of Islamic architecture in Iran with an analytical- interpretation approach in order to show the role of knowledge in the circle of creation and understanding of architecture as causes of inefficient contemporary theories put forward in this area, by exploring a philosophy of cognition.

The following study aims to present a consistent framework for the sustainable development of the troglodyte village of Kandovan, taking into consideration the present situation of the village and the paramount importance of preserving its unique way of life with the ultimate goal of making efficient improvements on the living conditions of its inhabitants. Located in north-western Iran, this tourist location, which is the sole troglodyte village in the world still occupied by human dwellers, is carved entirely out of a chain of cliffs. This stone-age lifestyle in the midst of our modern times has bestowed incomparable charms to Kandovan, turning it into a major source of wonderment and fascination. Regrettably, however, the emigration of its inhabitants has placed the village and what it stands for under serious threat. This research will attempt to identify and analyze the reasons for the diminishing of the local population, and goes some way to providing practical solutions to tackle this problem, utilizing an effective application of the principles of sustainable development on both environmental and architectural aspects.