Form Analysis and Theorization in Chaharbagh Abu Nasr Heravi, with an Emphasis on the Phenomenology of Place and the Spatial Organization of the Persian Garden

Abstract

Form in the Persian garden is not merely the result of geometric order or rigid aesthetic patterns; rather, it is a multilayered structure that shapes a distinct experience of place through the organization of movement, vision, pauses, natural elements, and the relationship between interior and exterior realms. The main problem of this research is to elucidate the function of form in the Chaharbagh of Abu Nasr Heravi and its role in producing a phenomenological experience of place.This study, employing a qualitative approach and a case study strategy, examines the connection between form, perception, and meaning through document analysis and the re-interpretation of spatial characteristics. The research’s theoretical framework is grounded in the concepts of the phenomenology of place, lived experience, embodiment, and the continuity between space and meaning. The findings indicate that the form of the Chaharbagh is not static, symmetry-oriented geometry, but an active mechanism for regulating spatial order, the sequence of perception, and the rhythm of movement. Accordingly, the concept of ‘place-making form’ is proposed—a concept that defines form as a dynamic process and a mediator between physical structure, nature, movement, and the meaning of place. This research provides a theoretical foundation for re-reading the Persian garden and developing contemporary approaches to the design of place-oriented and identity-conscious spaces.