Extended Abstract
Background and Objectives: Among the most important heritage buildings left from the past in the historical cities of Iran are schools. Many historical schools have remained within heritage sites, but due to changes in educational systems and the construction of modern schools in the past century, only some of these buildings continue to function as religious seminaries and schools of religious sciences. A large number of these buildings, some of which have been restored, remain unused. Considering the spatial and physical capacities of Iranian school architecture, it seems possible to recreate these buildings and transform them into new educational spaces that not only meet the spatial needs of modern educational methods but also preserve sustainable cultural and identity values in the contemporary era. This study aims to analyze the physical capacities of three historical schools in the city of Isfahan to explore their potential for adaptive reuse.
Methods: In this study, after identifying the components of the criteria for evaluating the building and spaces, based on a quantitative research method, 20 architects who have conducted research in the field of historical architecture of Iran were asked to assess the criteria. Then, considering that the semantic differential scale is one of the quantitative methods for measuring people’s concepts and can clarify the presence or absence of a desired concept or quality in people’s perception, the obtained data was first analyzed using the semantic differential scale method to highlight the differences between criteria in a comparative context more clearly. The evaluation of the data was done on a bipolar scale with a seven-point spectrum ranging from -3 to 3. The ten building quality measurement criteria, extracted from the theoretical framework of the research, were arranged in pairs of opposite traits so that the respondents could provide clearer answers to the questions. This was done because, in the five studied historical monuments, each trait has a limit, and the comparison of the criteria is more effective when the contrast of prominent traits is present. Afterward, with the help of statistical tests, the correlation coefficient of the components was evaluated and analyzed.
Findings: In the comparative analysis of the studied schools, it is revealed that in the two schools of Sheykh Abdulhossein and Shafiyyeh, five criteria of natural light, natural ventilation, air temperature regulation, creating silence and peace, and green space are extremely weak. The components of safety and security, and beauty and decoration, on the other hand, are generally rated high, and similar evaluations can be found across all five historical buildings. The utilization of spatial capacities and the potential for functional planning are present in all the buildings, although this potential is less in Shafiyyeh School compared to the others. Movement circulation is favorable in all buildings except Shafiyyeh School, and the variety of materials is also less in Shafiyyeh and Memarbashi buildings than in the others.
Considering that the data showed a strong correlation between the three components of benefiting from natural daylight, natural air ventilation, and natural air temperature regulation through Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the quadratic fitting of nonlinear trends for these components was calculated and is shown in the corresponding graphs. According to the diagrams, whenever a space has windows or doors opening to the central courtyard, it benefits from natural ventilation. In other words, the means of benefiting from natural air are the windows, and the spaces do not have the possibility of absorbing light or air through other means. In traditional Iranian architecture, the concept of a “false window” is rarely seen, as all windows are operable and allow the use of outside air.
Conclusion: Adaptive reuse, as one of the most efficient approaches to historical buildings and structures, addresses today’s needs while preserving the identity of past spaces. It aims to create added value in urban living environments and optimize the use of heritage buildings. This approach has received serious attention in contemporary urban planning, becoming a significant chapter in both macro and detailed urban plans.
To achieve this, it was necessary to first extract and derive the measurement criteria from the theoretical foundations of the research. Ultimately, the ten criteria provided a framework for studying the buildings. The reliability of the questionnaire confirmed that the extracted criteria are dependable and can clarify answers to the research question regarding the adaptive reuse capacities of buildings.
The findings indicate that in historical schools with a central courtyard plan, the supply of light, air, and temperature regulation in the classrooms is provided through openings facing the courtyard, and these three components are interrelated. It is important to note that in the adaptive regeneration and transformation of traditional schools into new educational spaces, light supply can be separated from the air circulation, thus providing more comfortable conditions.
Expansive plans with spatial complexity, such as those seen in Rahim Khan or Sheykh Abdulhossein schools, may create contradictory conditions during the new reuse. The complexity of the plan and the presence of multiple spatial capacities, while one of the most important features in new spatial planning, may also distort communication routes to the outside of the building. In the event of an emergency, this can reduce the safety factor of the building. Therefore, attention must be given to the issue of emergency exits in reuse plans. This is especially important in Iran, where the tradition of constructing buildings is introspective, and the central courtyard limits the communication of spaces with the outside. Consequently, emergency exits, particularly during fires and earthquakes, must be considered in the design.