Representing National Identity in Urban Furniture Design Inspired by Sassanian Textile Motifs

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecture, Department of Painting, Faculty of Architecture and Art ,, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Graphic, Faculty og Architecture and Art ,, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

10.22124/upk.2026.31454.2056

Abstract

Introduction: 
: Urban transportation has been shaped since World War II by focusing on National identity is represented in urban space through symbols and artistic elements, and one of the important areas for achieving this goal is the design of urban furniture. Urban furniture, as one of the tangible elements in contact with citizens, has a high capacity to instill the cultural and historical values ​​of society. Representing the cultural and historical characteristics of a society in the form of form, color, and motifs not only helps to increase the beauty of public spaces but also strengthens the sense of belonging to cultural history among citizens. Given the influx of alien Western images and symbols, recognizing identity components in society is essential. The present study examines how national identity is represented in urban furniture design with the idea of ​​Sassanid textile motifs. The aim of the research is to identify the motifs of Sasanian textiles from a visual perspective and to examine their capacity to adapt to form and function in urban furniture and to exploit the motifs in line with the effectiveness of processes to strengthen the sense of cultural belonging and represent national identity in urban spaces. The aim of the applied research is to explain the visual characteristics of the motifs of Sasanian textiles and the representation of national identity in urban furniture design.
Methodology: The research method of this research is qualitative and descriptive-analytical and has been conducted with the approach of visual content analysis of Sasanian textile motifs. The research is also practical in terms of purpose and the required data has been collected through library studies and examination of visual documents.
Results: The increasing spread of urbanization, migration of marginalized people, and population growth have led to congestion in public spaces and uses. Urban furniture is a solution for beautifying and optimizing the appearance of the urban environment.
Discussion: The components of form and function can lead to a sign of the formation of national identity in urban space, and when the motifs are coordinated with the functional requirements of urban furniture, their design becomes effective in the contemporary era.
Conclusion: The conscious use of Sasanian motifs and creating harmony with form and function will enhance the beauty of the environment and restore the historical memory of citizens. Sasanian motifs have great potential in contemporary design due to their combination of visual aesthetics and semantic richness. For example, several elements in urban furniture such as benches, lighting, trash cans, and railings have been designed with inspiration from Sasanian textile motifs. The use of new ideas based on history, civilization, and territorial culture elevates urban furniture from a purely functional and instrumental level to a cultural and social level, transforming it into a medium for expressing cultural identity. This can strengthen the sense of cultural belonging and spatial identity of citizens, so that citizens feel a living connection with historical and national heritage in their daily interactions with furniture. Creating urban furniture with identity eliminates the visual uniformity of inauthentic designs in urban spaces. Finally, it can be concluded that the representation of national identity in urban furniture design is not a decorative option, but an identity and cultural necessity in the process of improving the environmental quality of today's Iranian cities. The creative use of Sasanian motifs in urban furniture design, in addition to responding to functional needs, helps to improve the aesthetic quality of public spaces and strengthen sustainable urban identity; which is an undeniable necessity for futuristic and identity-oriented urban design. Sasanian motifs in urban furniture design not only lead to aesthetic richness visually, but also help to strengthen the sense of belonging and spatial identity of citizens by reflecting national identity in urban space. The presented designs are an example of this representation, in which historical motifs have been transformed into a functional role.

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References

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Urban Planning Knowledge
Volume 9, Issue 4
January 2026
Pages 118-137

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 August 2025
  • Revise Date: 03 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 14 October 2025

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