Climatic Building Envelope Employed in Vernacular Residential Architecture in Golestan-Iran

Subject Areas : Urban Design

Hossein Soltanzadeh ¹ , Maziar Ghaseminia ²

1 - Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and urban planing, Islamic Azad University of Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
2 - Ph.D. Candidate in Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and urban planing, Qazvin Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran.c

Received: 2014-04-15 Accepted : 2015-11-17 Published : 2016-02-01

Keywords: Vernacular Architecture, Building envelope, Environment, microclimate, Golestan, Iran,

Abstract :

Climate is one of the many factors such as socio-cultural values, economics, materials,administrative factors and technology that influence architectural forms. The climatic solutions effecting on architecture,differ in various regions, cultures, time and technology. The climate of the province of Golestan plays an active rolein the formation and diversity of vernacular dwellings. This region is in contact with numerous environmental factors.It is limited by Alborz Mountain in the south, by Turkmenistan desert in the north-east, and by Caspian Sea in thenorth-west bringing about high humidity in this province. With this background, the paper's question raised: "Howdo the climatic design principles of vernacular architecture respond to microclimates in this region?" In this paper,the focus is on building's envelopes and shells in three local climatic scopes of the region. The paper is based on acombination of research methodologies: field research (integrating case studies) and archival research. The climaticdata are being analyzed by Mahoney tables providing preliminary design recommendations. They are grouped undereight headings: layout, spacing, ventilation, openings (size, position and protection), the relation between buildingand ground, veranda, wall and roof. This essay argues about the knowledge and skill of vernacular and traditionalbioclimatic construction suggesting conceptual strategies for improve current dwelling aiming to a sustainable future.

References:

Badiei, R. (2000). Detailed Geography of Iran. Tehran: Eghbal.

Coach, H. (1998). Bioclimatism in vernacular architecture. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2, 67-87.

Consulting Engineers of Architectual Design. (1997). Comprehensive plan of city of Gorgan. Tehran.

Ghazbanpour, J. (1993). New Living–Old Body. Tehran: Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Ghazbanpour, J. (1997). Iranian House. Tehran: National Land and Housing.

Indraganti, M. (2010). Understanding the climate sensitive architecture of Marikal, a village in Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh. Building and Environment, 45, 2709-2722.

Kasmai, M. (2006). Climate and Architecture, Second ed. Isfehan: Khak.

 Khatibi, S. (2012). Vernacular Architecture Values: (Humid and Moderate Climate in Iran). International Journal Of Architecture and Urban Development, 2(4), 39-42.

Khoshsima, E., Mahdavi, A., Rao, S.P., & Inangda, N. (2011). Learning from the Past: Case Study of Traditional Architecture of Southern Shores of Caspian Sea Region in Iran. International Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 1, 11-19.

Kiani, M.Y. (1987). Overview of urbanization and urban development in Iran, Tehran: Islamic Guidance published.

Kiani, M.Y. (1992). Cities of Iran, Vol 4. Tehran: Jahad Daneshgahi.

Maria, V.A. (2009). Evaluation of a sustainable Greek vernacular settlement and its landscape: Architectural typology and building physics. Building and Environment, 44, 1095-1106. 

Moeini, A. (1966). Geography and Historical Geography of Gorgan and Plain. Tehran: Book Printing Corporation.

Oral, G.K., Yener, A.K., & Bayazit, N.T. (2004). Building envelope design with the objective to ensure thermal, visual and acoustic comfort conditions. Building and Environment, 39, 281-287.

Organization of cultural heritage. (????). Documents of Golestan Province, Gorgan. 

Shabani, K.H., Shahkohi, E., & Chorli, M. (2006). Geography of Golestan Province. Tehran: Company of publishing textbooks in Iran.

Singh, M.K., Mahapatra, S., & Atreya, S.K. (2009). Bioclimatism and vernacular architecture of north-east India. Building and Environment, 44, 878-888.

Zhai, Z.(J)., & Previtali, J.M. (2010). Ancient vernacular achritecture: characteristics categorization and energy performance evaluation. Energy and Buildings, 42, 357-365.

Tafahomi, R., & Lamit, H. (2011). Environment as a Pattern for Design.Case study: Shandiz valley in Mashhad - Iran. International Journal of Architecture and Urban Development (IJAUD), 1(1), 11-16.