Analysis of Climatic Factors in Traditional Houses with Architectural Features of Qajar Period in Tabriz

Abstract

Climate is one of the fundamental issues considered in the architecture of traditional houses in Iran. In the design of Iranian traditional houses all patterns are influenced by various factors, including climate as well as individual and social culture. The presence of spaces like central courtyard as well as summer and winter courtyards indicates the architects’ admirable attention to sun-light across the four seasons. This article analyzes the architectural features of 6 selected houses built in the cold and mountainous area of Tabriz during the two halves of Qajar era. The results reveal that architecture of this period sought to make optimal use of sun-light by regarding the southern side as the main front, east-west stretch, spotting north in the site plan, stretching the long balcony from one side to the other side of the building. The other factor such as establishment angle and proportions in general structure are the most effected elements from climate change. Opting for a scale of 1:1 in the overall structure of the buildings proves to be the most appropriate based on the Olgyay experiment for cold mountainous areas. Building the private courtyard at an establishment angle of 10 degrees facing north-east has made it possible to optimally use the desirable winds of Tabriz.

Keywords: Cold climate, Traditional architecture, Olgyay experiment, Tabriz