Identifying the Characteristics of the Architectural Work based on the Publications of Vartan Hovanessian

The definition of architecture and the process of transforming its outcome into a tangible work have been persistent  questions throughout the history of the field. Numerous scholars have endeavored to provide appropriate answers, contextualized by the scope of their studies and their available research materials. As a result, this question has been addressed in various written works that explore different aspects of this art, itstechnique and related disciplines. Architectural constructions and writings left behind by architects over time serve as visible and analytical examples, providing valuable resources for those seeking to achieve a deeper understanding of architecture. These resources can be categorized according to their historical timeline, specialized information, and the intellectual backgrounds of their creators. In this regard, the works of contemporary Iranian architects present a significant context for exploring a definition of architecture. These writings encapsulate the authors' thoughts, perspectives, and technical expertise. Furthermore, common themes can be identified in both the architectural works and written publications of these architects, particularly given their educational backgrounds, which often emphasize the creation of engineered structures. Among these figures, Vartan Hovanessian stands out as a highly trained architect who, after completing his studies in Europe, returned to Iran to apply the results of his specialized education domestically. On one hand, some of the buildings and architectural drawings he left behind in the construction field demonstrate notable differences from the mainstream of architecture, particularly in residential designs. On the other hand, the words and phrases he used in his writings were often critical and occasionally harsh, specifically targeting certain examples of the architecture of his time. Collectively, these features compel a more thorough examination of his texts as a valuable architectural resource, preserved from the recent past. This study seeks to analyze the publications of Vartan Hovanessian, an engaged figure in both architectural design and authorship within the context of contemporary architecture, to address the research question regarding the definition of the architectural work based on his viewpoints. Through this process, the implicit perspectives conveyed in his writings will be elucidated. Specifically, Vartan's publications, which reflect his professional viewpoints as a key figure in contemporary architecture and an advocate for rethinking architectural principles in the capital city, are analyzed. The research is conducted using a qualitative content analysis method, grounded in a categorical model. In this method, the texts of the aforementioned publications are examined and categorized into units of analysis, which were extracted as words and phrases from each paragraph. These paragraphs are then summarized based on the information gathered from the units, and the resulting phrases have been organized into tables as concepts, which are subdivisions of the main categories. Each concept reveals a specific aspect of architecture, and each category highlights a characteristic of the architectural work as articulated by Vartan in his writings. By employing this pattern, it is also possible to analyze the writings of other contemporary architects to uncover their perspectives on their area of expertise. Through the compilation of these viewpoints, a comprehensive definition of architecture can be constructed.