The Iranian tribes have their unique architecture due to their lifestyle. They resort to a portable shelter type, the black tent, that can be carried and assembled easily. This article introduces this shelter type applied in the Bakhtiari tribe, which has a history dating back to the Iranian civilization. This structure has retained its identity due to its ability to meet the needs of its inhabitants for centuries and remains a valuable legacy of Iranian architecture. The field study of Bakhtiari tribes is run by assessing their spatial conditions and adapting them to the library studies. The uniqueness of this architecture is in its flexibility and compatibility with the environment. The harmony and rhythm used in interior decoration are directed by climate, culture, customs, and living conditions, thus forming temporary architecture. According to the given site, the natural material type consumed in this structure is feet, creating comfort in the inhabitants' lives. The seasonal and functional condition flexibly dictates the size and plan of the black tent. In this context, to preserve this heritage running in-depth studies on this issue is of the essence.

Vernacular architecture has increasingly absorbed the attention of architectural communities in recent decades. Finding a common feature including all historical and geographical varieties of vernacular architecture will improve the recognition of this kind of architecture. On the other hand, context and contextualism in architecture is a multidimensional tendency and all the different architectures have made their own benefits from that. In this survey, vernacular architecture contextualization has been studied, around this main question that how much vernacular architecture is related to contextualism in different aspects of the context. In this article using the descriptive-analytical method, different definitions and aspects of vernacular architecture presented by specialists have been scrutinized and contextualistically reconsidered to make a clear-cut understanding of the relationship between vernacular architecture and contextualism. The analysis of written resources regarding vernacular architecture in this survey highlights the tendency of the writers to different aspects of the context. It should be mentioned that contextuality is a relative value and it can be measured in case of comparing official architecture with vernacular, the two which are considered opposites.

Reading vernacular architecture to understand values in architecture involves a variety of perspectives. One of these approaches is to consider vernacular architecture as related to the beginning of architecture and there are two common readings of it. The first reading sees vernacular architecture as genotypes in the architectural evolution map as the primary component. The second reading considers it as a subject that has not undergone many changes since the beginning of the history of architecture. It is a reference, therefore, to go to in case there are questions or ambiguities. On the other hand, attempts have been made in architectural theory to find the beginning of architecture in theory, and the concept of the primitive hut coined for it. But the unavailable primitive hut cannot communicate with the beginning of architecture. Due to the necessity of objectifying the conceptual primitive hut, this article tries to show the possibility of a third alternative regarding the connection between the vernacular and the beginning, which is verified by the previous two views, but those views do not take it as far as taking the vernacular to the contemporary and future eras. To achieve this, a three-stage study is conducted. The first stage is an investigation of the relation between the vernacular and the beginning. The second stage is in the form of studying the concept of the beginning and its various aspects in the work of thinkers. The third stage is about investigating the adequacy of the primitive hut as an example for architecture’, s beginning. The next stage is about finding empirical representatives, in which vernacular architecture is surveyed as a source of inspiration for theorists about what the primitive hut is like. Finally, considering the features and potentials of the vernacular for this representation, it is argued that this alternative is theoretically and practically possible and has positive consequences. Because of its relation to Arché, , this notion of vernacular architecture can reveal the profound epistemological values of its study, research, and experience. Therefore, both areas can benefit from this relationship.

In some climates, massive buildings made of stone, masonry, concrete, earth and … can be utilized as one of the simplest and most effective ways of reducing building heating and cooling loads. Very often such savings could be achieved in the design stage of the building and with a relatively low-cost. Such declines in building envelope heat losses combined with optimized material configuration and proper amount of thermal insulation in the building envelope could help to decrease the building's cooling and heating energy demands and building related co2 emission into environment. This paper presents a typical study of thermal mass buildings, especially, a kind of masonry building called YAKHCHAL, where most of the buildings are constructed out of mud or sun-dried bricks. They behave like a thermal mass building types. In this climate, there are great many buildings which have been adapted to their climatic conditions. Such traditional solutions may help to overcome the energy crisis which the mankind faces today and may face in the future.

Vernacular architecture has always had appropriate answer in conformity with the environment and climate. This paper has considered values of Iran vernacular urbanization and architecture in humid and moderate climate looking through sustainability and sustainable development concepts. Gorgan city has been studied using laboratory studies and available sources and relying on the content analysis and values hidden in the vernacular architecture in humid and moderate region of Golestan Province. Effects of weather on urban structure, landscape and views have been analyzed and considered in this regard in order to provide designers with some strategies for their future designs.

Vernacular architecture is among the most valuable phenomena, which has manifested cultural, historical, social, religious values and so on by itself. The values inherent to vernacular architecture of each city reflect the thinking of the people from that city. Therefore, the peace and quality of people's life can depend on preserving the same architectural values. Preserving and integrating of vernacular architecture values express the secret of human’ s integration with their physical environment, which leads to sustainability in every language and culture. Iranian houses are also considered a direct reflection of traditional culture and spiritual values of life and an institution with a multidimensional function, more than a physical structure, that is influenced by society and social relations, culture, religious belief, economy, life style and environmental conditions. Given that vernacular architecture is the symbol of identity, culture and civilization of any region, it seems that the contemporary building designs should be proportional to the vernacular architecture and cultural characteristics of that region. This architecture has met their requirements and desires by reflecting knowledge, careful consideration of the environment, respect for nature, application of time-based technology and spatial capabilities of people. Vernacular architecture is in harmony with nature and environment, the achievements of which are to maintain the comfort of the inhabitants, and it includes maintaining construction cycle, returning to the environment and reusing sustainable resources and the environment. With the environmental and climatic varieties in Iran, different types of vernacular architectures, with identity features, have been formed in this land, and understanding them can be helpful in accurate design and construction of spaces without any defects as is useful in identifying Iranian architecture. On the other hand, new constructions have brought changes in the previous trend of villages, which has created uninhabited, disharmonious and unorganized villages. In this regard, it is important to recognize the factors influencing the formation of rural housing shape and structure. The research questions are, (a) What are the factor(s) influencing vernacular architecture of villages? (b) Which factor(s) has the greatest influence on space in the vernacular architecture of Nosmeh village in the Shamshir rural district? In order to answer the research questions, in the theoretical phase, a framework was presented with the qualitative approach, desk research and using the analytical-descriptive design. In the practical phase, using field studies, preparing a questionnaire and interviewing with local people, the theoretical framework was evaluated using statistical tests in relation to vernacular housing of western Iran. Finally, the findings were analyzed and surveyed using logical reasoning in relation to the theoretical framework proposed in this research and it would be specified that which factor(s) have the greatest impact on space formation. The results of the research indicated that the index of physical construction principles with the maximum average (4. 27) was ranked first and geographic location with the minimum average (3. 67) was ranked last. In general, four main factors, in other words, physical construction principles, i. e. welfare, beliefs, opinions and geographic location had favorable conditions in the order of priority in terms of effecting the construction.

In north of Iran, a style of architecture has formed over time which is specific to the culture and the weather conditions of that region. This style of architecture is the result of the extrovert nature of the locals and is deeply rooted in Islam as well as the Persian civilization. Sagha nefar is a type of Nefar which takes its name from Hazrat Abolfazl, the half-brother of the Imam of Shia faith–Imam Hossein–both martyred at the hands of Omavid Caliph Yazid along with their companions in the battle of Karbala back in 680 AD.The current article deals with the history of Nefars and their development into Sagha nefar in Mazandaran over the years. It will also bring into the spotlight the religious beliefs of the people of Mazandaran, particularly the rituals related to Moharram mourning period, and their role in designing the architecture of Sagha nefars.This style of architecture was developed by villagers who have tried to preserve it so far. Nefar is in fact completely indigenous to Iran’s Mazandaran Province and it is the only style of architecture which has been developed to pay tribute to one single religious figure i.e. Hazrat Abolfazl. It has been for the purpose of preserving the religious values attributed to the Day of Ashura–when Imam Hossein and his companions were martyred in the battle of Karbala–that Nefars have been constructed in Mazandaran.The hypothesis of the article is that Sagha nefars comprise an important part of the history of the Persian architecture that have been kept out of academic spotlight as the result of a lack of related researchers. The present article tries to study this style of structures and dig into the roots of their architectural designs. It is expected that the findings of this research will help highlight the indigenous characteristics of Mazandaran inhabitants. A further expectation is to use the findings of the research to better preserve these structures against damage.

In this article which deals with the survey and analytic concept of space in vernacular and modern architecture, first the concept of space is explicated generally while it is briefly free of style and orientation. Then, it offers explanations of each kind of above mentioned architectures that has been invoked by researchers and intellectuals about art and architecture. Then differences of the space concepts which architecture specialist has been considered in modern era, with those of vernacular architecture as non-specialist product of human, are described in five directional classifications. This comparison of space concepts is based upon view of subjects of inner field of the two kind of architecture: 1- Empty and not empty: for the vernacular person there is no real void in world, but all spaces are full of meaning and spirits. But the thought of modern era is started with making empty of space –as an absolute space. 2- Flat and bent: objective space for the vernacular person –the following subjective space- has a meaningful bend. This is a matter that in modern era has lost because of its separation in two objective and subjective worlds, and the objective space is conceived as a monotonously in contrast with objective duplications. 3- Monotonous and articulated: in the view of the vernacular person, human is a part of a whole coherent and he has forwarding completely will, so he can engage in slight activity in the art or the organization of environment without worrying about missing the wholeness. But in the modern view of architecture making artificial and objective framework is a necessity for having a holistic setting. 4- Inside and outside: in view of vernacular being inside, is an original concept, while understanding of outside is follower. Vernacular human’s subjectivity sees the enclosure as highest satisfactory quality of space and it is the threshold which vastly occupies his mind to be organized. Understanding of modernists from this statement is of two kinds: for orthodox modernists the obscuring boundary of inside and outside or transparency, is seen as the most appropriate quality of space to fit with modern era, but for critical modernists there is some hesitation about the concept and some of them are inclined toward enclosed inner space, but from different view point compared with vernacular people. 5- Orientation and wandering: the context of vernacular architecture is the nature, which is created in coordination with the nature and the nature is directional intrinsically while for modernists it is the metropolis that is the scene of architecture and its obvious as well as desired quality for them is wandering. Finally, with comparison of these concepts in the form of mentioned fivefold, the quality differences of the space concept has been presented which show that the produced space of modernists as specialists of architecture is basically opposite to those of their people who were vernaculars in general view, even in 19th century. This proposes a neglected understanding of space which belongs to these people and is the basis of popular architecture of 20th century which requires another enquiry.

Earthquake is a phenomenon which exists throughout the history of our country. Having review the history of disastrous earthquakes in different part of the country, such as 585 and 1024 AC earthquake of Tabriz, 855 Rey, 893 Ardebil, 956 Hamedan, 957 Fars, 1085 Khuzestan and many other strong earthquakes (Madani 2008) revealed that Iranians had knowledge about this phenomenon since the dawn of history. This issue have has been focused in recent decades, because the intensity and level of earthquakes can be recorded and analyzed.In20th century, four of the most powerful earthquakes in the world happened in Iran, and UNDP's 2003 report "Disaster risk reduction, development challenge", introduced Iran as a second top countries in case of mortality caused by earthquake. The geological analysis of Iran's lapd reveals that, our country is a earthquake prone region and there are numerous faults which needs consideration while designing and constructing buildings.According to this viewpoint most of the constructions in the country implemented on basis of vernacular means, there is need to analyze and understand the prevention techniques regarding disasters from earthquake, which have been examined in past and can be used again. Vernacular knowledge of any caste is part of their national wealth and assets which also include their beliefs, value and awareness.People with the help of this knowledge, the search for their need and provision of their food, clothing, housing, tools and other needs have been conducted in their environment during centuries.Designing and construction of housing and other required physical spaces for many years were built with the same knowledge and special engineering, that valued architecture of heritage in cities and villages are as the result of those eras.With respect to the historical background of earthquake phenomenon in Iran, this article is to focus some tools and techniques which Iranian engineers have invented to cope with earthquakes.According to that, the nature of earthquake and its impact on buildings have not changed, regenerating and knowing this knowledge can be used in similar buildings. This article also tries to emphasis on the knowledge of vernacular techniques to regenerate and detect the vernacular paradigms of retrofitting and vulnerability reduction of buildings.

Climate is one of the many factors such as socio-cultural values, economics, materials, administrative factors and technology that influence architectural forms. The climatic solutions effecting on architecture, differ in various regions, cultures, time and technology. The climate of the province of Golestan plays an active role in the formation and diversity of vernacular dwellings. This region is in contact with numerous environmental factors. It is limited by Alborz Mountain in the south, by Turkmenistan desert in the north-east, and by Caspian Sea in the north-west bringing about high humidity in this province. With this background, the paper's question raised: "How do the climatic design principles of vernacular architecture respond to microclimates in this region?" In this paper, the focus is on building's envelopes and shells in three local climatic scopes of the region. The paper is based on a combination of research methodologies: field research (integrating case studies) and archival research. The climatic data are being analyzed by Mahoney tables providing preliminary design recommendations. They are grouped under eight headings: layout, spacing, ventilation, openings (size, position and protection), the relation between building and ground, veranda, wall and roof. This essay argues about the knowledge and skill of vernacular and traditional bioclimatic construction suggesting conceptual strategies for improve current dwelling aiming to a sustainable future.