Book Chapter

Time, space and culture

Manoukian, Setrag, Setrag Manoukian

2012,2011

Overview

Two architectural elements stand out under the sky of contemporary Shiraz, marking its rapidly changing landscape: iskilit and sutûn. Iskilit is the skeleton frame of steel columns and horizontal I-beams used everywhere in the world as a common supporting structure for edifices. It is widely utilized in Shiraz, from large complexes to single houses. This type of building technique has been used in the city for decades, but in the last fifteen years has become a defining element of the landscape of the city: everywhere iskilits spring up in different shapes and sizes (Figure 2.1). Often in a matter of a few months the iskilit gives way to a completed building: a new house, a new apartment complex, a new private or public edifice. At other times, the iskilit remains lingering for years, framing the blue sky while rusting away.

• Publisher: Routledge,Taylor & Francis Group
• Subject: 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 / Iran / Middle Eastern history
• ISBN: 9781138789449, 1138789445, 0415783283, 9780415783286