From Courtyard to Corridor: The Transformation of Iranian Residential Circulation Features (Case Study: Zand, Qajar, and Pahlavi Periods)

Subject Areas : Urban Design

Erfan Shadravan ¹ , Sara Dashtgard ²

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Received: 2025-07-26 Accepted : 2025-09-06 Published : 2025-09-09

Keywords: Iranian architecture, residential floor plans, Zand period, Qajar period, Pahlavi period, Residential Circulation, spatial organization,

Abstract :

This paper conducts a comparative analysis of residential floor plans from three pivotal periods in Iranian history: the Zand (1751–1794 CE), Qajar (1789–1925 CE), and Pahlavi (1925–1979 CE) eras. By examining prominent residential buildings from each period, the study investigates the transformation of circulation features, namely courtyards, iwans, corridors, and vestibules (hashtis). Findings reveal a progressive reduction in courtyard centrality and hierarchical access systems during the Zand and Qajar eras, shifting toward linear, corridor-based, and Western-influenced layouts in the Pahlavi period. This change decreased reliance on introverted, multi-courtyard configurations for privacy and climate control, favoring open-plan structures with direct entrances and reduced spatial segregation. This evolution reflects changing approaches to spatial organization, privacy, and formal access in response to modernization and shifting cultural paradigms. The study contributes to understanding the dynamic interplay between architecture and historical context in Iran, highlighting the significance of residential spaces as cultural artifacts. Through a focused architectural lens, this analysis provides insight into the broader historical shifts embedded in built environments.

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