Recognizing the Distinctiveness of Traditional Iranian Houses based on Physical, Social and Cultural Components of Identity

Despite the development and progress in contemporary housing, up till the present time, this issue bestows fundamental problems and weaknesses in the society of contemporary Iran. One of the most significant explanations for this is the disregard of the structures of Iranian residential architecture towards identity in the previous periods, which is somehow attached to the Iranian human identity. Perhaps returning to the basic principles of Iranian housing and recognizing and applying the correct principles of their construction is the main solution to the complications that have plagued contemporary Iranian housing as traditional houses in all historical times and periods have best encountered the needs of their residents and users. Considering that one of the ways to detect the identity of the structures of traditional Iranian housing is to study the identity related elements in their architecture. By using a descriptive-analytical method and through the study of various library and documentary sources along with their content, this research has been able to identify and extract indicators and sub-indicators related to such factors. The results of the research indicate that with the correct knowledge of the elements and characteristics of the identity of the architecture of traditional Iranian houses and their optimal and principled use in contemporary housing, the current complications of users living in such spaces can be raised considerably. Of course, this does not mean that these factors and elements were used in contemporary residential architecture in the same way as in the past, nevertheless, it is compulsory to harmonize them with the innovative residential architecture.

1. Recognizing the identity of traditional Iranian houses. 2. Familiarity with the physical, cultural and social elements of identity in Iranian households.

Research questions: 

1. What are the characteristics of traditional Iranian houses? 2. How can the pattern of traditional Iranian houses be applied in the present era?