Analysis of the geometric and natural properties of courtyards in historical houses of Isfahan (Iran)

Abstract

Courtyard” is one of the ancient domestic identity patterns of Iranian architecture in most of the traditional houses in hot and dry climate. The aim of this study is to identify the geometric and natural characteristics of courtyards in historical houses of Isfahan city in hot-arid climate. In this research, thirty historical courtyard houses were selected and analyzed as the case studies. The results show that the average ratios of length/width, height/length and height/width of the courtyards are 1.3, 0.3 and 0.4, respectively. The courtyard area averagely covers 31% of total area of houses and about 29% of the courtyard area is allocated to natural elements: 7% to water surface and 22% to plant coverage. The average ratio of the total area of openings to courtyard walls is 35%. As final results, the linear equations and correlation coefficients between the geometric and natural properties of courtyard houses are presented. The results of this research could be used as design guides for contemporary courtyards in hot-arid climate especially in Isfahan city.

Keywords

• courtyards
• geometric and natural characteristics
• historical houses of isfahan