TITLE:
Symbolic Meaning of Transparency in Contemporary Architecture: An Evaluation of Recent Public Buildings in Famagusta
AUTHORS:
Gelareh Sadeghi, Rafooneh Mokhtarshahi Sani, Yuan Wang
KEYWORDS:
Contemporary Architecture, Transparency, Symbolism, Architectural Meaning, Public Buildings
JOURNAL NAME:
Current Urban Studies,
Vol.3 No.4,
December
16,
2015
ABSTRACT: The history of transparency in architecture demonstrates a long relationship between glass and
architecture. Transparent glass architecture has become one of the significant characteristics of
20th century. It has been one of the materials, which were used extensively in construction; and
caused a significant change in the built environment, specifically in the 21st century. Nowadays,
glass can be seen as one of the basic materials used in contemporary buildings. The usage of glass
in architecture, specifically in public buildings, has increased during the recent few decades, and
this trend is still continuing. In addition, Modern architecture has grown rapidly around the world
and it has been investigated from various aspects. However, relationship between architectural
meaning and modern architecture has been one of the less investigated issues. Therefore, despite
the many benefits of transparent architecture, looking for meaning is one of the important factors
that need to be investigated. Since search for meaning has been one of the challenging issues for
contemporary architecture, the purpose of this study is to find the link between transparent architecture
and symbolic meaning in contemporary architecture to recognize how it is possible to
bring these two together. To achieve this aim, the research method in this study consists of combination
of quantitative and qualitative research methods, besides; literature review has been
analyzed based on “content analysis method”. Under this scope, three famous transparent buildings
in London have been selected as sample study. To compare and verify symbolic meaning of
transparent buildings, in sample study, paper focused on recent transparent buildings in Famagusta.
Accordingly, an interesting and arguable finding is that symbolism is interpreted differently
by everyone and therefore it is a matter of view point. Although in general transparent architecture
is symbol of modernity, but according to user’s viewpoints there is different symbolic meaning
for each transparent building. This finding is a proof to this important issue that people need
to have meaningful built environment, so they even assign meaning for buildings.