Centrality in Traditional Buildings
Rahman Ahmadi Maleki
Reprinted from: Honar Nameh, University of Art, Tehran, No. 2, Winter 2000 (A brief of the article)


In the traditional worldview of introverted people of the past, there existed in every lasting belief and custom a deep secret and mysterious force. It manifested itself in rituals. For them, nature and universe had a magical appearance, and all actions, things and beings were connected in a web of mysterious connections.

Nothing was unrelated to other things! No movement lacked significance, and each ritual was a step toward mastering the powers hidden in the core of life. This belief affected all behaviors, such as sitting, rituals and dances, wakes and celebrations, all of which circled around a center believed to have special significance.

In architecture, centrality and symmetry were sacred. Strength was seed in symmetry and balance. Structures and plans that lacked focus were avoided, because they produce mental protuberance.

Every protuberance had to be balanced, and not left hanging by itself. This didn't prevent innovative, pretty and balanced works. Within this symmetry, many subtleties were employed to avoid monotony and to bestow strength and harmony within centrality and symmetry.