Parametric Architecture’s look at arches in Iranian architecture lands on a truth mason contractors see on the jobsite: masonry performs at its best in compression, and the arch is the clearest proof.
Across more than three millennia, Iranian builders treated arches as more than a doorway shape. They used them to connect spaces, create rhythm along walls, and carry vertical loads through curved masonry into supports. The Parthian period and the Sassanian Empire pushed arch and vault construction forward, helped by the wide use of brick. One standout example is the Taq Kasra, also known as the Arch of Ctesiphon, described as one of the largest unreinforced brick arches ever built.
The article traces a full range of arch profiles, including semicircular arches, pointed arches, and the Panj-o-Haft, or five-centered arch, that became a hallmark of Safavid-era work in Isfahan. It also notes four-centered, horseshoe, elliptical, basket, and parabolic-like forms, each tied to structural needs and visual goals. Pointed arches, in particular, direct more force downward and reduce lateral thrust, which supports taller, lighter construction.
For masonry crews, the takeaway is direct: geometry is not decoration. Arch shape controls thrust, material use, and stability. Brick’s modular size supports tight curvature and detailed bond work, which is part of why Iranian masons developed such a wide arch vocabulary. The article also highlights climate-driven variations, with pointed arches used in desert cities such as Yazd and Kashan to improve ventilation and reduce heat gain, while heavier masonry arches answered snow and seismic demands in mountainous regions.
Modern Iranian architects continue to reinterpret arch geometry with reinforced concrete, steel, glass, and parametric design tools, showing how historic masonry logic can still guide today’s detailing and modeling workflows.
Read the full, original article from Parametric Architecture here.