Comparison of Iranian and Turkish TraditionalArchitectures in Hot-Dry Climates

Abstract

Climate is a fundamental environmental factor, which effects the formation of vernacular architecture throughout the world. Environmental factors such as climate, building materials, topography and socio-cultural differences affect the design of old settlements and traditional houses in vernacular architecture. Regardless of these factors, in order to achieve comfortable thermal levels in old settlements, different cooling and heating strategies must be implemented for various different climates. The traditional houses of Yazd and Diyarbakir are typical examples of structures that are adapted specifically to hot and dry climates. These two regions consider the environment by being eco-friendly and using natural resources to protect not only their surroundings but also the earth as a whole. The first step of this thesis is to clarify the differences between vernacular and traditional architecture. Design characteristics of traditional houses in two different regions will be introduced in the second stage. The last stage of the thesis will evaluate and compare urban textures and traditional houses in Yazd and Diyarbakir in terms of design characteristics and socio-cultural issues. The importance of the study derives from the climate similarities of Yazd and Diyarbakir. There are some similarities and differences in the design of traditional houses and urban morphologies between the two regions. The core principle criteria will be identified. In fact, the study will find the principles, which provide the most efficient and comfortable for inhabitants in the old settlements of the two cities. As well as the effect of the cultural aspects in design of the traditional houses. Consequently, the aim of this study is to achieve and compare the similarities and differences between the design characteristic in order to gain natural ventilation and protection from sunlight as well as other issues that may affect them such as socio-cultural aspects between Yazd and Diyarbakir region. Qualitative methodology will be applied for this research. Document analysis will be used in order to achieve the theoretical framework. Reliable sources such as written and visual documents, official publications and detailed reports will be studied and interpreted to further the reliability of the thesis. Furthermore, observation is another possibility that can be implemented for data collection particularly in the Yazd region of Iran. The main reason for differences between two regions are due to different traditional styles in each region which are inspired from Iranian and Turkish traditional architectures. Moreover, availability of materials in each region is another major reason for differences in two regions. Finally, although both towns have hot-dry climate, Yazd is more effected from the nearby deserts. However, the similarity in traditional architecture of two regions is related to similar climate and dominant Islamic culture in both regions.