Semiotic modelling of space in modular and memorial architecture: Experimental applications in Kazakhstan

Abstract

Kazakhstani architecture must move beyond viewing modularity as an industrial necessity, treating it instead as a framework to encode and preserve cultural memory. Through experimental prototyping and semiotic modeling, this study demonstrates that modularity functions as a living language rather than a rigid standardization. We extend Dyussenova’s metaphysical work on Kazakhstan’s architectural "genetic code" by offering a practical implementation mechanism for the semiotic-modular matrix. Furthermore, while previous research (e.g., Ostapenko et al.) reduced architectural symbols to surface decoration, our approach embeds deep meaning into physical structures and shapes. For instance, in “The Fractured Corridor”, structural “trauma” is conveyed through a broken, mismatched floor, evoking visceral disorientation in the observer. By applying Peirce’s sign theory within a computer-aided design (CAD) workflow, we decompose architectural elements into iconic, indexical, and symbolic signs. This system enables architects to algorithmically design spatial environments that embody authentic cultural and emotional narratives rather than mere decorative motifs.