Extended Abstract
Background and Objectives: The study of the architectural history of the houses from the first Pahlavi period in western Iran, particularly in the city of Sanandaj, reveals that this topic has been largely underexplored. The changes and transformations in the city have also led to shifts in residential architecture, introducing various architectural influences. Contributing factors include the presence of immigrant groups such as Qajar princes, administrative and civil officials, as well as marriages between governors’ children and Qajar princes or government appointees. Architects and artists from other cities, notably Tehran, were also involved in the design and construction. According to research, no systematic or cohesive studies have been conducted specifically on the physical-cultural typology of Sanandaj houses. Given the importance of this subject, this article first examines the houses from various perspectives, followed by an analysis of the typology of Sanandaj houses from the First Pahlavi period, and finally discusses the physical-cultural characteristics of these homes. The aim of the article is to investigate and understand the cultural-physical characteristics of Sanandaj houses and their typology during the Pahlavi period. The aim of the article is to investigate and understand the cultural-physical characteristics of Sanandaj houses and their typology during the Pahlavi period. The research seeks to explore the relationship between the architecture of Sanandaj houses and the culture of the Kurdistan region, to understand the architectural styles of Sanandaj houses from the First Pahlavi period from a cultural perspective of the Kurdistan region, and to analyze the characteristics of the existing types of houses in Sanandaj based on the examination and analysis of their structures.
Methods: The present study, following a qualitative approach, falls within the interpretive paradigm in terms of its epistemological framework. It is considered a theoretical research in terms of research aim and it uses an inductive reasoning method. A historical method serves as the research strategy, and both descriptive and analytical methods are employed due to the nature of the subject. The descriptive method is applied in the review of theoretical perspectives and literature review. Initially, written sources such as domestic and international publications and journals were searched and selected. Using relevant content from these sources, and after consulting with experts, supervisors, and advisors, the structure of the theoretical and experimental sections was developed. In the next phase, to identify causal relationships and understand the correlations between variables and indicators, the analytical method was employed. Data was collected from the selected statistical population through a survey study, and after classification and extraction, the data was measured and scientifically analyzed.
Findings: Following the field investigations of residential typology in Sanandaj, the influence of central region architecture and its dominance over the form and design of native and foothill architecture becomes evident. A combination of principles from western Iranian mountain architecture and the use of pillared porches is present in the majority of houses. The research samples were evaluated based on the relationship between components and space functionality, facade decorations, volume, staircase placement, introversion and extroversion, orientation, identity, and privacy. The results from the analysis of ten houses are summarized below. A qualitative method was used to analyze the findings, incorporating various indicators. Physical indicators included spatial communication, view, volume analysis, and staircase location. Housing dimension indicators examined the overall shape (introversion and extroversion), orientation, and the location in relation to neighborhood scale and type. Cultural indicators focused on identity, privacy, and the social status of the homeowner.
Conclusion: The investigation of First Pahlavi period houses in Sanandaj reveals that these houses are relatively adapted to the climate and engage with nature. The courtyard is very respected and serves to organize different parts of the house, preserve interior views, and maintain privacy. It is evident in the surveys that architects emphasized the importance of courtyard as a key element in these houses. In some cases, the spaces were designed to incorporate nature and outdoor areas, which was not fully justified by Sanandaj climate. However, these spaces were created due to the demand of the residents and to observe the principles of visual privacy. These houses were not solely designed based on climatic factors; when cultural and climatic considerations conflicted, cultural factors were given more weight. Ultimately, the culture of the region played a direct role in shaping the interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces, such as the use of pillared porches. The analysis of First Pahlavi period houses in Sanandaj indicates two main types: Type A, which is heavily influenced by the architecture of the Kurdistan region, and Type B, which is influenced by the architecture of central Iran.