The motive of discovering the truth lies in human nature. This motive in the first level is in the form of tendency to attain knowledge resulting in scientific developments which occur momentarily. This element does not stop at this level and the next level leads human to a real truth which implies why he is created. When science is valuable for questioning about perfection and existential ultimate of man, raising the power of understanding truth is also valuable. The more capable humane wisdom is for understanding the truths, it can identify destination, path and obstacles in a better way and it can pave the ground to reach perfection
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Truth-seeking, in the first level reminds of scientific values, which enable a life with further welfare and convenience from a material viewpoint, and they can meet man’s physical needs. A true house as a solid and strong structure adapted to climate changes is a visual symbol of increased science and technology in housing construction. A house constructed according to state of the art technologies displays human abilities. During levels of truth, the final goal is to reach an ultimate truth, for which only house can provide necessary background. A true house is one which has the ideal conditions for contemplation and concentration and can help the seeker reach the truth.
6.5.1 A real home
Truth is what is actually seen throughout the universe. Truth is demonstrable through logics and arguments, and there is no doubt in its existence. The human-beings are living in world of truth. The man can create his true world by realising and understanding the realities. A true house is one which is actually observable and analysable. Increasing the facilities at houses is among mankind’s concerns, which originates from construction of the first house. Construction of strong and optimised houses is the truth of houses built across the world every day.
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6.5.1.1 Fortification
Expansion of sciences and application of modern technologies are inevitable factors factor for constructing fortified buildings. Construction of statically resistant a house, which resist natural events and provide a safe environment for living, is rooted in truth the seeking element. This intent appears in the form of using construction techniques and modern materials, which are stronger and more applicable. Newest technologies in construction sector results in statistically stronger buildings. Quality of construction, technical calculations and usage of appropriate and stable materials relates to technical aspects. Formation of skyscrapers and giant building with the aid of advanced technologies is intended to satisfy the need to achieve perfection. The man can obtain whatever once he dreamed of through increasing his knowledge. Construction technologies enable establishing strong buildings in desirable dimensions and sizes feasible.
Mono-dimensional view of construction technology has negative consequences. Prefabrication in architecture and industrialisation of constructed spaces are among these consequences. In this viewpoint, a house is an industrial product, which is logically justified after increase of the need for residential settlements following the urban sprawls resulting in typical and identical houses without considering the residents’ requests. Structure and construction technologies can create fortified buildings at shortest time. These structures guarantee safe living conditions.
6.5.1.2 Optimisation
Consideration of environmental conditions for an architecture adapted to climate changes with minimal energy consumption requires thoughtful solutions, which have gained significant advancements as a result of increase in human knowledge and science. Climatic solutions in housing construction include sunlight orientation, wind direction, places of opening lights, direction of establishment, type of materials, opening dimensions, paints, space hierarchy, open to close space ratio, etc. as well as adding elements with climatic aspects and a building morphology in adaptation with climate changes and maximum consumption of solar and other renewable energies. Usage of natural energies in a building leads to saving of fuel consumption and more importantly to further wellbeing together with protection of the environment.
In the past, the man lived in synchronisation with the nature and reasonably employed environmental factors making a balanced link to nature in a way that each natural factor played a positive role in creating a favourable space. Utilisation of natural energies is carried out via coordinating the synthesised environment with nature. Scientific development started following industrial development and modern humanist thoughts became nature-fighting. As a result, after environmental crisis and criticisms of this thought, a house built by local and natural materials and minimal energy consumption was regarded a value. Afterwards, knowledge prepared the background for such a house.
6.5.2 A true home
A true home is a real home, which reveals the truth- a realty which exhibits the ultimate goal of living.
In this situation, house is the only tool to point to the truth and serves as a reflector. Truth can be found by thinking and speculating, thus a house where speculation and contemplation about nature is possible, is a true one.
6.5.2.1 Thinking potential
Thinking is one the greatest worships and without it man can reach any material and spiritual development. In fact, thinking is a result of human’s humanity, which distinguishes him other
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creatures. Thinking has some ranks depending on who is thinking and what is he/she thinking about (Mazaheri,2009).
God has stipulated the reasons why Quran was revealed in some verses (Nahl, 44). We revealed Quran unto the Remembrance that though explain to mankind that which hath been revealed for them, and that haply they may reflect‛. Emphasising on the importance of thinking the Prophet Muhammad stated: ‚one hour of thinking is more valuable than one year, only one who can particularly endow himself with cognition and theism.‛
The main level that can be taken into consideration as the ultimate element of truth-seeking in human nature is looking for a real truth. It is truth, which requires thinking and speculation. Spencer describes it this way:
“To achieve this truth, we need to think for many years, not acting, not arguing, not computing, not behaving chaotically, not reading, not suggesting. The only thing a person needs to know is mental analysis.” (Oliver,1987)
In other words, thinking is way to approach God and reach blissfulness. In order to think and concentrate in a residential area a quiet place is needed a peaceful and silent atmosphere where deep thinking is made possible. A house is a place to relax so that the man can think deeply and to attain mental and spiritual self-awareness. This space by directing the man to his interior seeks to find a place to provide him with peace and pave the way for him to experience levels of perfection look for truth. Space polarity and concentration-creating order are principles for spiritualising the architecture seen in traditional architecture resulted from factor such as geometry, spatial proportions, unity and consolidation, spatial classification, hierarchy, symmetry and emphasis on visual focus and centrality.
6.5.2.2 Contemplation about nature
Thinking and speculation about nature is one way to find truth. Identification of nature is valuable when it guide the man a hidden truth. Avicenna has thought about this and writes: ‚research in the natural world is not only research on phenomena and finding s series of relations, but it is a research on phenomenon and appearance‛ (Nasr, 1989).
In this perspective, nature is a code and symbol for real true which can be a medium to find God. In Holy Quran everything in the world and all existing objects are ‚ the symbols of God ‚ (Mohaghegh Damadi, 2001). In many verses (Goran), God invites man to think about nature as in Al-Raad: 3 ‚And He it is Who spread out the earth and placed therein firm hills and flowing streams, and of all fruits He placed therein two spouses (male and female) and in Al-Fussilat: 53. The universe is a sign of God.
Therefore, Nasr writes: ‚the nature itself is a divine inspiration accompanied by metaphysics and it has a particular style of worship. ‚(Nasr, 1989).
Intuitional understanding is described by Nadimi as follows:
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‚sensible nature and its hidden and surprising geometry, as the decoder of archetypes is source of inspiration for Muslim architect. He/she becomes an artist by observing these codes and feeling them from depth of his/her soul and flying in world of dreams. The inspiration of a naturalist architecture is that of its hidden role, which exhibits unitary geometry far beyond its multiplicities and diversities‛ (Nadimi, 1999).
The role of nature in a settlement or a house is played via application of natural elements such as trees, water, so on like traditional houses in which a terrestrial paradise is created with the aid of trees, water and pond within the yard (Figure 2). This is sometimes constructed by combining interior spaces with other nature-oriented landscapes (sky, mountains, etc.) (Figure 3).
Figure 2: tabatabaye house in kashan-Itan(Ref: http://www.rayahb.com)
Figure 3: Oshtobin Village- Iran
101 6.6 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The element of truth seeking has its root in the nature of human being and reflects on the human aspirations. This element is in this sense provides a common language that guides all humans equally to transcend to a moral stage of excellence. Truth seeking enriches human artefacts with durability and persistence. Home is one of the human artefacts that are highly affected by human needs for habitation. Reflection of the element of truth seeking in the design and functions of homes gives home non-material dimensions and values that persist over time and never fade away.
This article described the element of truth seeking and argued that proper understanding and incorporation of this element in the design and construction of homes can reveal real aspects of an idea home. The article holds that traditional architecture best reflects such a harmonious combination of the elements of sustainability and the mastery of architectural design. It is also argued that a real home is fundamentally built to meet material needs for habitation means, while an ideal home is substantially a manifestation of moral human needs. A real home is a home which is strong and optimised, while a real home is a home that provides opportunities to contemplate and discover the ultimate truth.
It is important to take into consideration that the intrinsic needs of human for a morally enriched home is a core element of social and cultural sustainability at homes. A desirable quality of life can be achieved by making homes morally sustainable and a place to intellectually grow and develop through establishment of a deep relation between architectural design and phenomenology of human needs.
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