Achieving Environmental Sustainability in Modern Housing by Introducing Nature

Subject Areas : Architecture and urbanism

nafiseh  yari boroujeni ¹ (Ph.D candidate, Islamic architecture, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran)
mahdi  saedvandi ² (Ph.D., Architecture, Assistant Professor, Faculty Member of Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. *(Corresponding Author))
armin  bahramian ³ (Ph.D., Landscape Architecture, Assistant Professor, Faculty Member of Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran)

Received: 2017-04-09 Accepted : 2017-06-14 Published : 2020-07-22

Keywords: Housing, Nature, architecture, Environmental sustainability,

Abstract :

Background and Objective: In modern houses connection to nature is faded out and their habitats are approaching towards degrading their surrounding environment. This research investigates the ways by which we connect to nature as one of the principles of environmentally sustainable development in housing and also seeks to answer the questions that what the characteristics of nature-compatible housing are in order to fulfill the objectives of environmental sustainability. Method: Data collection was conducted through library resources, the analysis of qualitative and descriptive study was conducted to analyze their content. In this regard the components, principles and key sentences bases of the three spheres of sustainability, nature and housing were extracted. After that components and points obtained were classified. Then, in order to achieve the aimed housing characteristics, the components correlation to each other and their implementation was analyzed by authors. Eventually a list of measures necessary to achieve these characteristics was finalized. Findings: the results indicate that it is necessary to considering measures to communicate directly with nature, restoring the natural environment and conserving natural resources, reducing energy consumption and increasing exposure to sunlight, reducing environmental pollution, harmonizing form-shape of the building with the environment and appropriate materials selection and their implementation in the home design process one. Discussion and Conclusion: It seems by considering the constant presence of nature in the organization of housing spaces, preservation of existing vegetation, respecting the natural shape of the site and so on is able to design housing which maintains and strengthens the relationship between people and nature. This in turn falls in line with the principles of environmental sustainability.

References:

1. Mehdyar-Zeh, Keshtkaran-P. "Sustainable Architecture" - Proceedings of the First National Conference on Sustainable Architecture, 2009, Sama Vocational Technical College, Hamadan, Iran. (In Persian)


2. Pour Mokhtar, Ahmad, "Recognizing the Concept of Sustainability and Sustainable Development in Iranian Architecture and Urban Development", Abadi, 2011, No. 73-72: 19-12. (In Persian)


3. Mokhtari Malekabadi, Maryam, "A Review of Pollution Types and Indicators of Iranian Environmental Performance", Danesh Nama, Isfahan Engineering-Technical Journal, 2013, No. 223-226: 17-6. (In Persian)


4. Durban, Mehri, Dehban, Sepideh, "Green Architecture in Santa Monica Milan", Journal of Architecture and Culture, 2012, No. 48: 87-84. (In Persian)


5. Hasheminejad, Hashem, Ahmadian Chashami, Hoorieh, "The Green House Realization," Architecture and Culture Quarterly, 2012, No. 48: 30-24. (In Persian)


6. Seflai, Farzaneh, "Investigating the Concepts and Experiences of Sustainable Architecture", Abadi, 2004, No. 42: 67-62. (In Persian)


7. Ardalan, Nader, Bakhtiar, Laleh. (Authors), Hamid Shahrokh. (Translator), "Sense of Unity, Mystical Tradition in Iranian Architecture", Isfahan: Soil Publishing, 2001. (In Persian)


8. Nourian, Farshad, Abdollahi Sabet, Mohammad Mehdi, "Explaining Sustainability Criteria and Indicators in Residential Neighborhood", Shahr Negar Journal, 2008, No. 50. (In Persian)


9. Zandieh, Mehdi, Parvordi Nejad, Samira, "Sustainable Development and its Concepts in Iranian Residential Architecture", Journal of Housing and Rural Environment, 2010, 21-2. (In Persian)


10. Zamani, Leila, Javaherian, Zahra, "Investigating the Process of Developments in Sustainability Indicators in the International System", Environmental Science and Technology, 2015, Volume 17, Number 4: 200-183. (In Persian)


11. Hagan, S. 2001. Taking Shape: A New Contract between Architecture and Nature. Oxford: Architectural Press.


12. Mohammad Karimi-M, Zandiyeh-A. "Investigating Sustainable Architecture in Desert Houses (Case Study: Dear Yazd House") - First Scientific Research Conference on Civil, Architecture and Sustainable Environment, 2015, Ivan Shams Institute of Architecture and Urban Development. (In Persian)


13. Golparvar Fard, Nazanin, "Man of the Architectural Nature", Tehran: Tahan: Hale, 2010. (Persian)


14. Debridian. Nazli, Farahudi, Marwah, "Sustainable Architecture Unit - Introduction to Sustainable Design", Iranian Journal of Specialized Architecture, 2003, No. 14. (In Persian)


15. Giyasvand, Javad, "Interaction between Architecture and New Energy", Road and Building Journal, 2006, No. 38. (In Persian)


16. Dariush, Babak, "Man of the Architectural Nature," Tehran: Science and Knowledge, 2010. (In Persian)


17. Pourmokhtar, Ahmad. "Recognizing the Concept of Sustainability and Sustainable Development in the Historical City of Isfahan". Master of Architecture Degree in Architecture Studies, Isfahan University of Art, 2012. (In Persian)


18. Saghafi Asl, Arash, Eliaszadeh Moghaddam, Nasr al-Din, "Recognizing the Concept of Sustainability and Sustainable Development in Iranian Architecture and Urban Development," Abadi, 2011, No. 73-72: 25-20. (In Persian)


19. Williams, D. 2007. Sustainable Design: Ecology. Architecture and planning. John Wiley & Sons. Inc.Newyork.


20. Mahmoudinejad, Hadi, "Architecture of Biostructure", Tehran: Hale: Tahan, 2009. (In Persian)


21. Pourdiehimi, Shahram, "Landscape: The Connection of Nature and Culture", Journal of Housing and Rural Environment, 2012, No. 138: 27-17. (In Persian)


22. Wheeler, Stephen, Timothy, Beatle. (Authors), Kianoush Zaker True. (Translator), "Articles on Sustainable Urban Development", Tehran: Center for Architectural and Urban Studies and Research, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, 2005. (In Persian)


23. Emami, Samaneh, "Architecture by Nature, Interaction of Architecture or Nature Education Space to Provide Psychological Need for Students of Two Universities in Isfahan", 2013, Journal of Landscape, No. 24: 17-14. (In Persian)


24. Purdihimi, Shahram, "A Look at the Future of Cities: Recycling Urban Spaces for Integration with Nature and Society," Journal of Safeh, 2001, No. 33: 28-35. (In Persian)


25. Zarrabadi, Zahra Sadat, Tavakoli, Nikki, "Urban Sustainability Development Index", Urban Management Research Quarterly, 2009, No. 2: 123-110. (In Persian)


26. Daneshfar, Ehsan, Sediq, Morteza, "Introduction to Landscape Architecture: Human and Nature", Tehran: Soroush Danesh, 2013. (In Persian)


27. Daipour, Zeinab, "The Relationship between the Presence of Nature and the Increased Sense of Belonging in Traditional Iranian Homes", Bagh Nazar, 2014, No. 30: 58-49. (Persian)


28. Hashemi, Seyyed Mohammad Ali, "Gaston Beshlar and Architecture of Imaginary House", Abadi Magazine, 1996, No. 23: 17-2. In Persian)


29. Fateh, Mohammad, Dariush, Babak, "Theoretical Foundations of Architecture." Tehran: Science and Knowledge, 2011. (In Persian)


30. Naghizadeh, Mohammad, "The Place of Nature and Environment in Iranian Culture and Cities". Tehran: Azad University Press, Research Branch, 2005. (In Persian)


31. Hatami Golzari, Elham, "Traditional Architecture and Sustainable Development", Infrastructure, 2007-2009, 39-37. (In Persian)