ABSTRACT
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010, the bazaar of Tabriz is one of the largest brick complexes in the world. In the mid-20th century, the complex came under the management of the Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHTO). This article focuses on the rehabilitation of the Kolahduzan Dome in the old fabric bazaar. By the 1970s, the dome was crumbling following decades of neglect. Conservation of the dome began in 1981 under the direction of Reza Memaran Bename Tabrizi, a member of the last generation of local traditional builders. This article delves into the geometrical analysis of the new design and the construction technique adopted by the master builder. The geometrical analysis provides a new perspective on practical geometry in Persian vaulting. It identifies three geometrically different layers: 1. Theoretical geometry, 2. Structural geometry, and 3. Architectural geometry. On-site data collection was performed by the author to record all workable points on the vault. Historical documents have been received from Iran Cultural Heritage Documentation Center.
