Daylight Design Strategies: A Lesson from Iranian Traditional Houses

Abstract

Iranian traditional houses had shown an intimate connection with nature, responsive to climate and occupant’s requirement. A great aspect of these houses is its adaption to the special climate (Hot and Arid) of the most parts of the country, while, most of the modern houses nowadays have lost this link. In Iran, courtyard houses is the most prominent house type in Hot- Arid region and physical feature of it reflects natural needs and environment responding. This paper aims to focus on quality of daylighting in these houses, which can sign impact on personal emotional needs of well- being. This study analyzed the application of the building elements and solutions to bring daylight into different parts of these traditional courtyard houses. Twenty selected traditional houses in this region were examined. The analysis includes accessing the quality of space within these houses in term of form, opening and shady elements. This paper has concluded with daylight design strategies ascertain from the analysis of these traditional houses that may be adopted in modern house design in Iran and enhance the quality of their design.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n9p97