Domos Persas

M. Hejazi, Int. Journal of Design & Nature. Vol. 1, No. 2 (2007) 1–11

PERSIAN ARCHITECTURE: CONFORMITY WITH NATURE IN HOT-DRY REGIONS
M. HEJAZI Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Isfahan, Iran.

ABSTRACT The climatic characteristics in different regions of Iran have created architectural design problems. It is advantageous to look at various architecturalsolutions to such problems. In the hot-dry climate of the indigenous settlements of Iran, particularly interesting design solutions are found. Most solutions, such as high thermal capacity construction materials, compact structure of cities, narrow winding passageways, thick walls, courtyards, internal vegetation, arched roofed chambers, highly elevated wind towers and big water reservoirs, arein conformity with nature and environment. The role of architectural elements is to make use of natural forces such as light, heat, wind and water in design. In this paper, the effects of climatic factors on urban and architectural forms in the hot-dry regions of Iran, climatic design problems and architectural solutions are explained. Keywords:

[AQ1]

1 INTRODUCTION There are severalinterrelated factors that have influenced architectural styles in Iran, among which climatic factors are of particular importance. A relative knowledge of these influential factors is necessary for understanding various values of Persian architecture. Particular climatic factors that affect architectural styles in hot-dry areas are high radiation and temperatures in the summer, diurnal fluctuations oftemperature, seasonal fluctuations from hot-dry summer to cold-dry winter, low humidity, limited water supplies and dusty, sandy winds [1]. Various examples of dwellings responsive to climatic constraints are found in vernacular architecture throughout Iran. Compact cellular layouts with minimum external surface exposure to the sun, whitewashed surfaces to reduce absorptivity, blind external facades,courtyards, vegetation to provide humidity and shade, and heavy buildings with materials of high thermal capacity are common passive features. Wind towers for cooling ventilation are well known in Persian architecture, which, along with cooling of air by the evaporation of water, keep the building comfortable in hot periods.

2 NATURE AND PERSIAN CITIES Nature plays an important role in shaping thefabric of cities in Iran. The fabric of traditional Persian cities exposes their adaptability to climate, geography and cultural factors. Generally, traditional Persian cities are classifiable into two main groups. In one group are the cities that are located in hot-dry areas in the centre, and in cold areas in the mountainous regions of the country, with attached and connected texture. In anothergroup are the cities that are located in the moderate and humid climate of the north, and in the hot-humid climate of the south, with separated and disconnected urban fabric. Although the basic criteria of both kinds of urban fabric are similar, the structure of each city has its own special characteristics. In a hot-humid climate, wind plays an important role in reducing the heat in summer days.To use wind in providing a microclimate, the separation of buildings from each other is an important urban planning strategy. In a hot-dry climate, the cities with continuous texture are located on the edge of or in the desert. The physical structure of these cities provides a surrounded and covered space to neutralise the effect of the desert on the life of the city. For this reason, houses
©2007 WIT Press, www.witpress.com ISSN: 1744-3687 (paper format), ISSN: 1744-3679 (online), http://journals.witpress.com DOI: 10.2495/D&N-V1-N2-1-11

2

M. Hejazi, Int. Journal of Design & Nature. Vol. 1, No. 2 (2007)

Figure 1: A city in hot-dry climate – continuous texture, attached houses, narrow streets and passageways (Yazd, Central Iran).

Figure 2: Courtyard with gardens and a pool...