Browsing traditional architecture

According to a friend’s comment, I figured my previous post implied a sense of nostalgia. What I actually was trying to show is that I believe though we are coming up with new and great ideas and techniques in our modern world, we should not forget the lessons that previous generations learned during their struggle with nature to find a living style in harmony with their environment. My point is not to use their life style as a model but to integrate their concepts with new technologies. In spite of all the enthusiasm for developing products using new technologies, we have to pay attention to other aspects of human life.

I decided to start analyzing sustainability of historical buildings by introducing traditional Iranian architecture and buildings. I believe the solutions they have come up with are considerable from the viewpoint of sustainability. The reason is some of the historical urban though being constructed 100 to 200 years ago, are still lived in and responding to modern demands of its occupants.

`Figure 1 - Fahhadan Neighborhood, Yazd, Iran

The most amazing character about these historical urban, aside from individual building sustainable strategies, is the dynamic pattern the neighbor buildings create together which resembles the natural growth of a plant. It perfectly provides its various elements with their needs. Meaning, not only the buildings but the neighborhood and the whole region is sustainable. Safety is sometimes an issue in todays’ life, generally because some areas are deserted and urban is not working as a whole similar to its era.

Figure 2- A lighting and Ventilation Roof Element, Kashan, Iran

On the other hand, buildings are designed to use natural sunlight and ventilation. Building materials are locally provided and are reused or recyclable. Water is provided from subterranean. But as you might imagine, living in those types of buildings was not as comfortable as we are in our apartments. The level of comfort was much lower for those people, same as their expectations. But as I mentioned earlier, my impression is not to copy the exact solutions, but to generate ideas suitable for our time.