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Formulation of Modeling Rules for Critical Regionalist Housing Architecture Focused on Patterns from the First and Second Pahlavi Period Using Machine Learning (Case Study: Mashhad)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
mohtaram fatehi 1
reza mirzaei 2
mehdi sahragard 3
Ahmad Heydari 2
1 PhD student in Architecture, Department of Art and Architecture, Birjand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Birjand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22034/ispdrc.2025.2053474.1164
Abstract
Introduction
The environment, housing, and buildings are human innovations in every culture and civilization, and one of the most important structures reflecting native architecture. This study aims to examine the modeling of housing architecture with a critical regionalism approach in residential houses from the Pahlavi I and II periods in Mashhad. Therefore, the research question is: How can the structure of criteria and classification be extracted as formulated rules (communal) in modeling housing architecture with a critical regionalism approach, emphasizing the architectural features of the Pahlavi I and II periods, and how impactful are the components in this classification? It is suggested that modern technology and sustainability hold the greatest importance in the structural critical regionalism of the physical-functional aspects of residential houses in Mashhad during the Pahlavi I and II periods, with the criterion of modern technology having the greatest impact.

Methodology
After analyzing the theories of experts in regionalism and critical regionalism, a diagram was drawn for the houses in Mashhad based on the views of Kenneth Frampton and experts. A total of 138 photographs were collected by the author, and after analyzing the data to obtain a qualitative and conceptual model, the model was evaluated.Using a closed-ended Likert scale questionnaire, the data was analyzed with SPSS software. To ensure the validity and reliability of the tools used, the Spearman test and Cronbach's alpha were employed. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine the type of analysis method and hypothesis testing, indicating that since the significance coefficient is zero, the type is determined to be non-parametric.The target population consists of senior architecture experts who are members of the engineering system in Mashhad, with the sample size determined based on Cochran's table.

Results and discussion
The main question is to identify and analyze the relationships among the model components. In response to this question, machine learning systems can be utilized. After compiling the relevant images, three groups and classification categories were determined:
1. Architecture without critical regionalism.
2. Critical regionalist architecture of the Pahlavi I period.
3. Critical regionalist architecture of the Pahlavi II period.
After extracting the classes, which were validated by experts, the next step was to determine the main structural features for classification. Based on the conducted studies, further research, and consultations with experts, four features were identified as follows:
1. Symbolic and abstract.
2. Traditional and native.
3. Sustainability.
4. Modern technology.

Chart 1- Ranking of the three classes of non-critical and critical regionalism in the houses of the Pahlavi I and II in Mashhad
extracting the classes and features in Python, the data was coded for classification, and the graphical output is presented as follows: Chart 1 shows that for precise ranking of the mentioned three classes, modern technology can have the most significant share.Out of a total of 138 mined samples, 38 samples lacked regionalism, 50 samples fell into the category of critical regionalism from the Pahlavi I period, and 50 samples belonged to the Pahlavi II period of regionalism. Analyzed from another perspective regarding the classification rules of the tested data, shows that technology is the primary distinguishing factor for classifying the sub-branches, while sustainability is placed second among the criteria. The third-layered thinking system also indicates that modern technology and sustainability are the distinguishing criteria for the groups. it can be concluded that despite the three prevailing thoughts in machine learning, the two elements of modern technology and sustainability are prioritized.
Again, the 138 observational houses rated on a nine-point Likert scale will be analyzed in the Pareto chart. After analyzing the input data, two conditions emerged as shown below.

Chart 2 : Pareto

Chart 3 : Pareto
Chart 2 indicates that the group of non-critical regionalist architecture relies heavily on the symbolic and abstract criteria. traditional-indigenous (192.3), and modern technology (9.4) has a minimal role in determining the classification. In the same diagram, in the group of critical regionalisms from the Pahlavi I period (P.A.M), the contribution of the symbolic-abstract and sustainability criteria is very significant. The combined weight of the two criteria, modern technology (66.3) and traditional-native (138.5), does not even match one of the two mentioned criteria.
In the classification of the Pahlavi I regionalism (P.D.M), there is not much difference compared to (P.A.M), with only modern technology (101.3) showing a noticeable increase.
Chart 3 supports these findings. As shown, the contribution of the symbolic-abstract criterion is distinct in all three groups compared to the other three criteria. The removal of this factor could lead to disarray in the grouping structure. If a vertical line is drawn from P.A.M parallel to the y-axis, it becomes evident that the two groups P.A.M and P.D.M account for more than 87% of the impact. The N.M.E group does not play a significant role.
Charts 2 and 3 help clarify: firstly, the contribution of each criterion is specified within each classification group. Secondly, the contributions of the two groups P.A.M and P.D.M are differentiated from N.M.E. Diagram 3 shows that from the perspective of critical regionalism, the Pahlavi I and II periods have nearly equal contributions to the group, and at times, it may not be possible to define a precise boundary for critical regionalist buildings in these two classes.

Conclusion
Given the advancements in modern technology and the significant importance of sustainability during the Pahlavi I and II periods, these two criteria are the most important aspects of critical regionalism in the structural-functional framework of residential houses in Mashhad during these periods. The characteristics of critical regionalism are ranked in three classes as follows: symbolic and abstract, traditional and native, sustainability, and modern technology, with modern technology taking the lead.

Funding
There is no funding support.

Authors’ Contribution
All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.

Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.
Keywords
Critical regionalism
Traditional houses of the Pahlavi Period
Residential houses of Mashhad
Native architecture
Machine learning
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