COMFORT ZONE
EXAMPLES OF VERNACULAR MODULES
TRADITION
GEOMETRY
MATERIAL
CLIMATIC RESPONSIVENESS
WEAKNESSES
Isfahan is a city in central Iran, known for its Persian architecture.The common factors creating the vernacular architecture in Iranian plateau are climate and accessible constructional materials. The prevailing climate in the region is harshly hot or cold. Most of the time, it is also extremely dry with desert soil covering the major part of lands. Generally, rainfall is not enough and earthquakes have always been potential threats. Mud and brick are major materials used for constructing various structures, because the earth can be found everywhere quite easily and inexpensively. Ceilings are mostly built in the form of cupolas and vaults, walls are usually thick and windows must be made in small sizes. The reasons should be sought in the common factors mentioned and explained before.
Isfahan has a historical texture and consists of different neighborhoods. However nowadays this texture is surrounded by new urban texture and passing unpleasant days, enjoys a wise system of passages and access networks, adjacency of buildings, and spatial diversity. Also, there are still worthwhile vernacular and traditional architectural works within the texture based on which we can judge about architectural features of this city. Most of these samples go back to Safavid era and sometimes some works of Qajar and Pahlavi eras are seen among them.