A Semiotic Analysis of Cultural Continuity Between Traditional Courtyard Houses and Contemporary Apartments in Iran

Abstract

Housing design inherently reflects cultural perspectives, yet modern, homogeneous apartment complexes often overlook the distinct local identities embedded in traditional residences. This study employs a semiotic analysis to compare key cultural symbols expressed in Iran's introverted courtyard houses with those in contemporary outward-facing apartments, aiming to uncover meanings and assess continuity amid architectural shifts. The ornate 18th-century Abbasian house and the modernist 1977 Ekbatan complex serve as case studies, representing the contrasting eras of traditional introversion and contemporary extroversion through their morphology, ornamentation, and hosting rituals, all of which hold deep cultural significance. The analysis applies Peirce’s semiotic theory to classify architectural meanings as icons, indexes, or symbols. The findings reveal significant shifts from sheltering, climate-responsive, and community-oriented courtyard houses to exposed, technology-driven apartments designed for external visibility and aligned with global lifestyles, thereby diminishing localised distinctions. While contemporary housing forms offer upgraded amenities, the discontinuity in embedded socio-cultural associations risks weakening inhabitants’ sense of identity and affiliation. The study highlights strategies for balancing cultural continuity with the necessary evolution of housing, advocating for policy changes, community participation, and a re-engagement with vernacular traditions. By tracing the fading cultural codes, semiotic frameworks provide crucial insights into reconciling heritage with modern progress in the ongoing transformation of housing design. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.