The Emergence of Badgir in the Houses of Yazd-Ardakan Plain

In the regions with hot and arid climate, the wind catchers (Badgirs) not only lower the temperature but also can be considered as a kind of architectural symbol of the region. According to their basic function, which is to cool down buildings in summer, Badgirs usually are located in the nassar (summer seat), behind or beside the south Ivans (verandas). In some cities like Aghda, Ardakan and Meybod, houses have one-sided Badgirs north-faced to catch the pleasant winds.In order to understand the origin and evolution of Badgir in the Yazd-Ardakan houses, the oldest standing houses and monuments of the region have been probed. The houses of Ilkhanid and Timurid era do not have any Badgir in the form and shape that is known today, and the organization of the summer side consists of a narrow and lofty Ivan and a splendid room behind it so called Tanabi. It is necessary to mention that even the monuments belong to these eras did not have originally Badgirs. However, the literary texts of the time emphasized that the elite houses and monuments were equipped with Badgirs. Even in older texts the word Badgir or other words like Badghand, Badkhan, Badghas, which have the same meaning, can be found. But in the Safavid houses of Meybod, Badgirs are later additions. Although the typology of Safavid houses differ from Timurid, original Badgirs cannot be found in these houses.But in the houses of Zand and Ghajar dynasties, Badgirs represent as an outstanding symbol of desert architecture and the townscapes are characterized by the domination of Badgirs.Although the oldest Badgir dates back to the Zand era (Dulatabd monument dated to 1160 Hijri), there exist several cisterns (Abanbars) in this region dated back to 8th and 9th