An Analytical Study of the Public Appeal Toward Roman-style Architectural Façade Design and Its Impact on Urban Identity and Landscape; Case Study: Ilam City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Islamic Azad University, Ilam Branch, Ilam, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Education and Extension, Islamic Azad University, Ilam Branch, Ilam, Iran

3 M.A. in Architecture, Department of Architecture, Islamic Azad University, Ilam Branch, Ilam, Iran

Abstract

In recent years, Roman-style façades have witnessed a significant rise in residential areas of Ilam, becoming one of the dominant trends in urban façade design. This expansion has led to a loss of urban identity, as Roman façades are incompatible with the historical structure and architectural system rooted in Iran’s indigenous culture. This study employs a qualitative Grounded Theory approach, integrated with Strauss and Corbin’s systematic model, to analyze fundamental concepts and develop a theoretical framework for the phenomenon under investigation. The research explores the underlying causes of public inclination toward this style and its impact on Ilam’s urban landscape. A total of 488 initial data points were collected through semi-structured interviews with 27 faculty members from relevant universities. These data were categorized into 241 open codes, 43 components, and 7 core categories. Findings reveal that the physical and visual characteristics of Roman façades are among the key factors contributing to their appeal among the general public. Economically, this façade style has gained widespread acceptance among builders and contractors due to its high profitability and ease of implementation. The driving forces behind the public’s preference for Roman-style architecture in Iranian society include: lack of awareness and inadequate training among designers and architects, absence of identity and regulatory frameworks in constructed buildings. The consequences of this societal shift toward Roman-style façade design include the promotion of identity-less architecture and the degradation of urban aesthetics and landscape. Based on the findings, it can be argued that “the representation of social status through urban façades within a consumerist cultural context, coupled with weak educational and regulatory structures,” constitutes the dominant pattern explaining the popularity of Roman-style façades in Ilam.

Highlights

  • Roman-style façades have become a dominant yet culturally detached trend in Ilam.
  • Visual appeal and economic benefits drive widespread public preference for this style.
  • Weak architectural education and lack of façade regulations accelerate its expansion.
  • Façade design reflects social status within a consumerist urban culture.
  • The trend leads to identity erosion, visual disruption, and unsustainable urban growth.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 14 March 2025
  • Accept Date: 04 April 2025
  • First Publish Date: 19 June 2025
  • Publish Date: 19 June 2025

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