Time Concepts in relation to Collaboration between Architects and Structural Engineers- Exemplified by Particular Stair Designs in Iran

Abstract

Statement of the problem. There is a difference between many professions’ self-conceptions and their actual practices. Collaborating with other professions, this ideological deviation negatively affects the collaboration between different professions. This article is an attempt to examine the self-conceptions and actual practices of architects and structural engineers in Iran to make suggestions for better collaboration between these two professions. The self-conceptions of both architects and structural engineers are related to time concerns in different ways. However, in terms of the time concerns of actual building practices, both professions differ from their self-conceptions. Results. Therefore, this article argues that the mismatch between self-conception and actual practice is problematic. To present this mismatch, the article provides the necessary theoretical framework and analyses the time concepts of ten stair designs in Iran from architectural and structural engineering perspectives. Conclusions. These ten stairs are selected from the architectural projects of four contemporary Iranian architects, who do their best to consider time to achieve authenticity in their architectural works. Moreover, the structural engineering approach to time was analysed through literature and interviews with structural engineers who worked with four architects, whilst the architectural approach to time was examined through interviews with four architects who designed ten stairs.