A comparison of Visual privacy based on mass and space ratio

The combination of mass and open space is an integral part of any architectural space. However, it was addressed differently for different building types. Different levels of this combination is used in Iranian residential architecture based on necessity and need. Based on prior categorizations, we split Iranian traditional houses with one courtyard into four categories: houses which contain mass all around the courtyard, houses which contain mass on three sides of courtyard, houses which contain mass on two sides of courtyard, and houses which contain mass on only one side of courtyard. Given the fact that there was no prior studies on quantity and quality of privacy of such types in literature, we analyzed the spatial structure of these categories from privacy perspective. Our main purpose was to investigate influences of house configuration on private and public areas to provide visual privacy. A quantitative method and a descriptive data analysis were used in this research. Also we used the space syntax technique and other graphical analysis tools to help understanding the arrangement of Iranian house. Results showed that privacy, as one of the basic principles in Iranian – Islamic culture, was established in all types; however, there were some differences in its quantity and quality between different types of houses. In houses with higher levels of mass to open space ratio, the degree of privacy was increased and with lower levels it was decreased. There are different techniques to investigate different types, among which the interconnection techniques, depth, circularity, hierarchy, the angle of view, and appropriate location for space are often used