Extended Abstract
Aims: This study examines the relationship between humans and nature and its impact on spatial experience and mental well-being, highlighting historical Iranian gardens as exemplary models of intelligent human-nature interaction. Through geometric patterns, water flows, diverse vegetation, and spatial hierarchies, these gardens integrate aesthetic and climatic functions while shaping human experiences of space. Despite extensive research on Iranian garden design, few studies have systematically analyzed both nature-oriented and human-oriented components, particularly how direct, indirect, and spatial experiences of nature are reflected in garden layouts. Therefore, analyzing biophilic elements and reinterpreting the spatial pattern of the Shazdeh Mahan Garden with a focus on human experience is essential for advancing human and nature-centered landscape design in Iran.This research aims to explore traditional Iranian architectural capabilities in creating nature-oriented, human-centered spaces using the threefold Clarett model, through qualitative analysis of natural elements and spatial patterns, ultimately deriving strategies for contemporary design rooted in Iranian culture. The main research questions focus on identifying biophilic architectural elements in the garden and understanding how the three types of biophilic experiences direct, indirect, and spatial manifest in its layout.
Materials & Methods: This applied study aims to enhance the design quality of historical Iranian gardens, particularly the Shazdeh Mahan Garden, using a descriptive-analytical and mixed-methods (qualitative–quantitative) approach. Data were collected through literature review to identify theoretical concepts, a physical checklist to evaluate the garden’s structure, and five-point Likert questionnaires to assess perceptions of visitors and experts. Qualitative analysis involved content analysis and spatial-physical comparison to extract biophilic elements and understand their manifestation in the garden. Quantitative data from 30 visitors and 10 experts were analyzed to evaluate both user perceptions and expert assessments simultaneously. The questionnaire’s validity and reliability were ensured through expert review and Cronbach’s alpha. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and one-sample t-tests to examine the significance of biophilic elements. This integrated approach allows for alignment between spatial analysis and human perception, although limitations included the difficulty of quantifying subjective experiences, time constraints for field observations, and limited access to experts.
Findings: Shahzadeh Mahan Garden in Kerman is a prominent example of Iranian Qajar-era gardens, featuring a axial and hierarchical design, water flow from the Tigran qanat, and an organized arrangement of garden beds, pathways, and pools that create a multisensory experience of human-nature interaction. This study, using a combination of three data collection methods literature review, spatial-physical analysis, and questionnaires showed that biophilic architectural elements are widely present in the garden. Direct nature experiences, including flowing water, diverse vegetation, and natural light and shade, have the greatest psychological and sensory impact on visitors. Indirect nature experiences, through local materials, geometric patterns, and lighting, enhance visual harmony and the sense of nature. Human-centered spatial experiences, guided by spatial hierarchies, sight axes, and the central pavilion, facilitate purposeful movement and active interaction. The findings indicate that these three dimensions work synergistically, making Shahzadeh Mahan Garden a successful example of Iranian biophilic architecture, providing an integrated and rich experience of human-nature connection both physically and perceptually.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the Shazdeh Mahan Garden in Kerman Province is a remarkable example of Iranian biophilic architecture, where the three core dimensions of the Clarret model direct experience of nature, indirect experience of nature, and human-centered spatial experience coexist harmoniously, strengthening the interaction between humans and the natural environment. In the direct experience of nature, water features, diverse vegetation, and shading provide relaxation, focus, and a sense of connection to nature, experienced by users as sensory and tactile stimuli. In the indirect experience, geometric patterns, native materials, and natural lighting create a sense of spatial harmony and rhythm without the immediate presence of natural elements. The human-centered spatial experience, organized around main axes, rest points, and the central pavilion, guides movement and spatial perception. The integration of these three dimensions enhances users’ psychological, perceptual, and movement experiences, making Shazdeh Mahan Garden a unique model among Iranian gardens. The findings suggest that contemporary landscape and public space design in Iran can leverage these biophilic principles to create a cohesive, psychologically enriching, and human-centered experience for users.