USER-BASED ANALYSIS OF RE-FUNCTIONING OF CULTURAL HERITAGE: TWO CASES FROM KASHAN/IRAN

A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES OF MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

BY

KEYVAN MASHHADI

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN ARCHITECTURE

JUNE 2016

Approval of the thesis

USER-BASED ANALYSIS OF RE-FUNCTIONING OF CULTURAL HERITAGE: TWO CASES FROM KASHAN/IRAN

submitted by KEYVAN MASHHADI in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of science in Conservation of Cultural Heritage in Architecture Department, Middle East Technical University by,

Prof. Dr. Gülbin Dural Ünver Dean, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences

Prof. Dr. T. Elvan Altan Head of Department, Architecture

Inst. Dr. Fuat Gökçe Supervisor, Conservation of Cultural Heritage, METU

Examining Committee Members: Prof. Dr. Neriman Şahin Güçhan Conservation of Cultural Heritage, METU

Inst. Dr. Fuat Gökçe Conservation of Cultural Heritage, METU

Prof. Dr. Mualla Erkılıç Architecture, METU

Assoc. Prof. Dr. A. Güliz Bilgin Altınöz Conservation of Cultural Heritage., METU

Assist. Prof. Dr. Müge Tunca Bahçeci Architecture, Başkent Üniversitesi

Date: 26/06/2016

I hereby declare that all information in this document has been obtained and presented in accordance with academic rules and ethical conduct. I also declare that, as required by these rules and conduct, I have fully cited and referenced all material and results that are not original to this work.

Name, Last name: Keyvan Mashhadi

Signature:

ABSTRACT

USER-BASED ANALYSIS OF RE-FUNCTIONING OF CULTURAL HERITAGE: TWO CASES FROM KASHAN/IRAN

Mashhadi, Keyvan M.S. in Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Department of Architecture Supervisor: Dr. Fuat Gökçe

June 2016, 152 pages

Mansions of central Iranian plateau share common definitions that encapsulates introversion architecture, extended family system, religious vista through life and extravagance comfort. This module has been continuing for several hundred years until the early days of 20th century modernism, when, by growth of population, and reformations in context of society, definitions and spirituality of traditional lifestyle and traditional family have been changed. Subsequently, so-called Iranian houses have gradually been outdated to the extent of being unused. The mansions that are occupied today by several organizations or individuals, are far away from their original purpose, and are being used under different functions. They are the only alive examples which demonstrate lifestyle, Iranian residential architecture, and carry intangible asset of houses of central Iranian plateau.

This thesis aims to analyze and evaluate new functions of the mansion from users' point of view by surveying individuals who work in mansions or use them, and expert observations from conservation standards and spectra. Literal background and ideas, geographical features of the region, aspects and characteristics of Iranian houses, and concepts behind surveying will be discussed to emerge necessary material for theoretical assessment of successes and failures of re-functioning the residential heritages. It aims to browse how re-functioning helps to keep intangible value of Iranian houses alive?

Keywords: Iranian houses, re-functioning, survey, residential heritage, user-based evaluation

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ÖZ

USER-BASED ANALYSIS OF RE-FUNCTIONING OF CULTURAL HERITAGE: TWO CASES FROM KASHAN/IRAN

Mashhadi, Keyvan Yüksek Lisans, Kültürel Mirası Koruma Anabilim dalı, Mimarlık Bölümü Tez Yöneticisi: Dr. Fuat Gökçe

Haziran 2016, 152 sayfa

İran platosundaki konaklar, içe dönük mimarisi, genişletilmiş aile sistemi, hayata dini bakış açısı ve aşırı komfor gibi ortak tanımları kapsar. Bu model bir kaç yüzyıl boyunca devam etmiş, 20. Yüzyılın modern anlayışı ile birlikte nüfusun artışı ve sosyal yapının değişmesiyle, geleneksel yaşam tarzı ve geleneksel aile yapısının tanımını ve maneviyatını değişmiştir. Sonrasında sözde İran evleri yavaş yavaş zaman aşımına uğrayarak kullanılmamaya başlamış, bugün ise bir kaç kurum yada şahıs tarafından orjinal amaçlarından ve işlevlerinden farklı olarak kullanılmaktadır. Bu konaklar İran platosu evlerinin somut olmayan değerlerinin, yaşam tarzının ve Iran konut mimarisinin günümüzde varlığını sürdüren tek örnekleridir.

Bu tez çalışması konakların yeni işlevlerinin bu konaklarda çalışan veya yaşayan kişilerle saha çalışması yaparak ve koruma disiplini standartları ve uzman gözlemleri ile kullanıcıların bakış açısından analiz edilmesi ve değerlendirilmesini amaçlamaktadır. Literatür taraması ve düşünceler, bölgenin coğrafi özellikleri, İran evlerinin görünüşü ve karakteristik özellikleri, saha çalışmasının arkasındaki kavramlar, bu konut mimarisi örneklerinin yeniden işlevlendirilmesindeki olumlu ve olumsuz uygulamaları belirlemek için gerekli olan teorik altyapıyı kurmak için tartışılacaktır. İran evlerinin somut olmayan değerlerinin korunmasını sağlayan bir yeniden işlevlendirme mi olduğunu belirlemeyi hedefler.

Anahtar kelimeler: İran evleri, yeniden işlevlendirme, saha çalışması, konut mirası, kullanıcı temelli değerlendirme

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I owe a heavy debt of gratitude first of all to Dr. Fuat Gökçe for his all-the-time motivating, friendly and his knowledge and analyzing point of view which is a treasure. I also thank to Dr. A. Khoshnevis from Soure University in Tehran who delivered great ideas about the issue. To my wife, Nazli Milani, upon her efforts and experiences I came across the issue and her kind helps and support.

All these thesis would not be materialized without help and collaboration of Manouchehri hotel and Ministry of Culture in Kashan.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………….………...……….iii

ÖZ…………………………………………………………………………..……..………….iv

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS…………………………………………………….……....………v

TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………...………..…vi

TABLE OF FIGURES…………………………………………..………..……..………….viii CHAPTERS 1: INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.2. SCOOP OF THE STUDY ...... 1 1.3. PROBLEM DEFINITION ...... 2 1.4. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND ...... 3 1.5. METHODOLOGY ...... 4 1.5.1. TECHNICAL ATTRIBUTIONS ...... 4 1.5.2. FUNCTIONAL ATTRIBUTIONS ...... 5 1.5.3. BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTIONS...... 5 1.6. CONSTRAINS ...... 7 2: KASHAN AND KASHAN HOUSES ...... 9 2.1. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT KASHAN ...... 9 2.2. HISTORY OF KASHAN ...... 10 2.2.1. ANCIENT AND PRE-ISLAMIC PERIOD ...... 10 2.2.2. ISLAMIC PERIOD ...... 11 2.2.3.MODERN DAYS ...... 13 2.3. CITY OF KASHAN, ITS LOCATION AND PHYCICAL ASPECTS ...... 13 2.4. CLIMATE AND VAGATATION ...... 14 2.5. SOCIO-ECONOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS ...... 15 2.6. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSES OF KASHAN ...... 17 3: CASE STUDY ...... 31 3.1. INTRODUCTION ...... 31 3.2. THE MANSION OF MANOUCHEHRI ...... 32

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3.2.1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ...... 32 3.2.2. LOCATION ...... 33 3.2.3. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES ...... 33 3.2.4. RESTORATION ...... 44 3.2.5. CURRENT FUNCTION OF THE MANSION ...... 57 3.2.6. SURVEYING ...... 62 3.2.6.1. GENERAL QUESTIONS ...... 62 3.2.6.2. FUNCTIONAL QUESTIONS ...... 65 3.2.6.3. TECHNICAL QUESTIONS ...... 69 3.2.6.4. BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS ...... 72 3.2.7. SURVEYING THE STAFF WHO OCCUPY A ROOM ...... 76 3.3. THE HOUSE OF BOROUJERDI ...... 83 3.3.1. LOCATION ...... 84 3.3.2. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES ...... 84 3.3.3. CURRENT FUNCTION ...... 99 3.3.4. SURVEYING ...... 103 3.3.4.1. GENERAL QUESTIONS ...... 103 3.3.4.2. FUNCTIONAL QUESTIONS ...... 105 3.3.4.3. TECHNICAL QUESTIONS ...... 106 3.3.4.4. BEHAVIORAL ELEMENTS ...... 108 4: GENERAL EVALUATION ...... 115 4.1. AN OVERVIEW ...... 115 4.2. THE MANSION OF MANOUCHEHRI ...... 116 4.2.1. USER-BASED DATA ANALYSIS ...... 116 4.2.2. ARCHITECTURAL ASSESSMENT ...... 118 4.3. THE MANSION OF BOROUJERDI ...... 121 4.3.1. USER-BASED DATA ANALYSIS ...... 121 4.3.2. ARCHITECTURAL ASSESSMENT ...... 123 5: CONCLUSION ...... 127 REFERENCES ...... 129 APPENDIX A: THE LAND OF IRAN ...... 131 I. PROVINCES AND POPULATION ...... 132 II. TOPOGRAPHY ...... 132 III. DESERTS ...... 133

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IV. CLIMATE ...... 135 APPENDIX B: KARIZ AND WATER SOURCES ...... 137 I. KARIZ ...... 137 II. ĀB-ANBAR (CISTERN) ...... 139 APPENDIX C: BADGIR (WIND-TOWER) ...... 141 APPENDIX D: SURVEY SHEETS ...... 143 I. SURVEYING GUESTS OF MANOUCHEHRI HOTEL ...... 143 II. SURVEYING STAFF OF MANOUCHEHRI HOTEL ...... 146 III. SURVEYING CIVIL SERVANTS OF MANSION OF BOROUJERDI ...... 149

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LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1: KASHAN LANDSCAPE BY JOHN CHARDIN, TRAVELS THROUGH PERSIA, 1724 ...... 9 FIGURE 2: TAPPE SIALK FROM ARCHIVES OF FLICKR.COM ...... 11 FIGURE 3: JALALI CASTEL AND COMPLEX, SELJUK ERA, FLICKR.COM PHOTO ARCHIVES...... 12 FIGURE 4: LOCATION OF KASHAN ON THE MAP OF IRAN, PHOTO TAKEN FROM GOOGLE IMAGES ...... 14 FIGURE 5: ROSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN IMPOSTANT SOURCE OF INCOME IN KASHAN, PHOTO TAKEN FROM BLOGFA.COM ...... 16 FIGURE 6: SHELVES OF APOTHECAL DISTILLED PRODUCTS, PHOTO TAKEN FROM BLOGFA.COM ...... 16 FIGURE 7: A HASHTI AND ITS ACCESSIBILITIES TO NEIGHBOR SPACES, MANSION OF TABATABAYI ...... 18 FIGURE 8: COMMON RATIOS IN HASHTI AND COMMON RATIONS IN PERSIAN GOLDEN RATIOS ...... 19 FIGURE 9: THREE MAIN DIRECTION IN IRAN WHICH RULE GENERALLY IN SEVERAL REGIONS. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: RŪN-E RĀSTE, RŪN-E KERMANI, AND RŪN-E ISFAHANI. IT CAN BE POSSIBLE TO SEE SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS IN ONE SPECIFIC REGION. FOR EXAMPLES MANY MANSIONS IN KASHAN ARE NOT ON RŪN-E RĀSTE...... 20 FIGURE 01: THE COURTYARD OF MANSION OF ABBASI IS LOWER THAN THE GROUND FLOOR. IT PROVIDES SHADY AND COLD COURTYARD FLOOR WHICH IS MORE FAVORABLE IN SUMMER. INSTEAD OF THIS, THIS MODULE DOES NOT OWN BASEMENT FLOOR. THE UPPER FLOOR IS MAINLY USED IN WINTER TO CATCH SUNSHINE FROM EACH SIDE. PHOTO TAKEN FROM MINISTRY OF CULTURE ARCHIVES...... 22 FIGURE 00: A PERSPECTIVE VIEW ON THE HOUSE PRECISELY SHOWS THE DEPTH OF COURTYARD. PHOTO TAKEN FROM MINISTRY OF CULTURE ARCHIVES...... 22 FIGURE 12: THE SOUTH IWAN OF MANOUCHEHRI HOUSE. PHOTO BY AUTHOR...... 23 FIGURE 13: MAHTABI IN NORTH PART OF THE MANSION, BOTH ARE EXAMPLES OF SEMI-OPEN SPACES WHICH ARE BUFFERING SEQUENCE BETWEEN CLOSE SPACES AND OPEN SPACE. PHOTO BY AUTHOR...... 23 FIGURE 14: SEQUENCE AND HIERARCHY OF SPATIAL HARMONY AND SPATIAL PASSAGE FROM OPENS SPACE (COURTYARD) TO IWAN (SEMI-OPEN) TO ROOMS AND SO ON...... 23 FIGURE 15: A TYPICAL MODULE OF RESIDENCE IN KASHAN WITH ANGLE TOWARD NORTHEAST/SOUTHWEST AND WIND-TOWER AND INNER- COURTYARD THAT SIGNIFIES INTROVERSION ARCHITECTURE...... 24 FIGURE 16: AN EXAMPLES OF EXTROVERT HOUSES IN NORTH OR IRAN...... 24

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FIGURE 17: TYPOLOGY OF SOME PF MANSIONS OF KASHAN ACCORDING TO THEIR GENERAL COMPOSITION, DIRECTION, OPEN/CLOSE SPATIAL ORGANIZATION, AND WINTER/SUMMER DIVISION...... 27 FIGURE 18: TYPOLOGY OF SOME PF MANSIONS OF KASHAN ACCORDING TO THEIR GENERAL COMPOSITION, DIRECTION, OPEN/CLOSE SPATIAL ORGANIZATION, AND WINTER/SUMMER DIVISION...... 29 FIGURE 19: THE EASTERN FAÇADE OF MANSION OF MANOUCHEHRI. PHOTO TAKEN FROM HOTEL'S ARCHIVE...... 32 FIGURE 20: THE RED SPOTTED AREAS ARE PARTS OF MANOUCHEHRI PROJECT, THE LEFT SPOT IS AN EMPTY LOT PREPARED FOR PARKING FOR THE RIGHT SPOT WHICH IS THE HOUSE ITSELF. MAP TAKEN BY GOOGLE SATELITE...... 33 FIGURE 21: PLANS OF CURRENT SITUATION OF HOSUE. ALL PLANS ARE PROVIDED BY MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND REVISED BY AUTHOR...... 35 FIGURE 22: SUMMER/WINTER PARTS DIVISION ...... 37 FIGURE 23: CISTERN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 38 FIGURE 24: CISTERN, PHOTO BY ADRIEN DESTE ...... 38 FIGURE 25: THESUMMER ACCOMMODATION VIEW FROM ROOF TOP, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 39 FIGURE 26: ROOF TOP AND FLAT PAVEMENT FOR MAKING THE PLACE USABLE, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 39 FIGURE 27: VIEW OF IWAN AND SUMMER ACCOMMODATION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 40 FIGURE 28: VIEW OF LOBBY, PHOTO TAKEN HOTEL'S ARCHIVES ...... 40 FIGURE 29: VIEW OF UPPER FLOOR OF LOBBY WHICH CURRENTLY GALLERY, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 40 FIGURE 30: BASEMENT LIVING ROOM AFTER RESTORATION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 41 FIGURE 31: BASEMENT LIVING ROOM BEFORE RESTORATION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 41 FIGURE 32: VIEW OF SOUTH IWAN BEFORE RESTORATION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 41 FIGURE 33: VIEW OF LOBBY FROM ART GALLERY, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 41 FIGURE 34: A ROOM IN THE HOTEL, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 41 FIGURE 35: A VIEW OF BATHROOM, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 41 FIGURE 36: ORSI WINDOW IN MANSION OF TABATABAYI, PHOTO TAKEN FROM FLICKR.COM ...... 42 FIGURE 37: THE POND WAS IN THE ROOM WHICH IS CURRENTLY THE SHOP .. 42 FIGURE 38: VIEWS OF SHOP, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 43 FIGURE 39: VIEWS OF SHOP, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 43 FIGURE 40: A VELVET WEAVING INSTRUMENT, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 43 FIGURE 41: A VIEW OF WEAVONG WORKSHOP, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 43 FIGURE 42: A VIEW OF RESTAURANT, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 43 FIGURE 43: A VIEW OF KITCHEN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 43 FIGURE 44: THE ENTRANCE OF CISTERN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 44 FIGURE 45: BATHROOM UNIT, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 44

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FIGURE 46: AN ADDITIONAL LAVATORY MADE BY REFUGEESDURING THEIR OCCUPATION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 45 FIGURE 47: REFUGEES MADE A WALL IN COURTYARD TO DIVIDE THE HOUSE INTO TWO HOUSES, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 45 FIGURE 48: ORIGINAL CONDITION OF THE BUILDING BEFORE RESTORATION. THE BASEMENT IN WINTER ACCOMMODATION IN NORTH PART OF THE HOUSE WAS MISSING. IT'S ADDED BY THE AUTHOR UPON ITS CURRENT SHAPE...... 47 FIGURE 49: SECTION A-A AND EAST ACCOMMODATION ...... 49 FIGURE 50: SECTION B-B AND WEST SIDE WALL ...... 49 FIGURE 51: SECTION C-C AND CISTERN AND SOUTH LIVING ROOM ...... 51 FIGURE 52: SECTION D-D AND NORTH MAIN HALL AND ROOMS OF EAST ACCOMMODATION ...... 51 FIGURE 53: SECTION E-E AND NORTHERN LIVING ROOM ...... 51 FIGURE 54: SECTION F-F AND VIEW OF EASTERN FAÇADE ...... 53 FIGURE 55: SECTION G-G AND SOUTHERN HALL AND BASEMENT ...... 53 FIGURE 56: THE HOUSE BEFORE RESTORATION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 55 FIGURE 57: RESTORATION PROJECT BEGAN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 55 FIGURE 58: RESTORATION PROJECT BEGAN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 55 FIGURE 59: RESTORATION PROJECT BEGAN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 55 FIGURE 60: RESTORATION PROJECT BEGAN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 56 FIGURE 61: RESTORATION PROJECT BEGAN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 56 FIGURE 62: RESTORATION PROJECT BEGAN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 56 FIGURE 63: RESTORATION PROJECT BEGAN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 56 FIGURE 64: RESTORATION PROJECT BEGAN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 56 FIGURE 65: RESTORATION PROJECT BEGAN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 56 FIGURE 66: IWAN OF SOUTH ACCOMMODATION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 57 FIGURE 67: IWAN OF SOUTH ACCOMMODATION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 57 FIGURE 68: WEAVING WORKSHOP, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 59 FIGURE 69: A VIEW OF LOBBY, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 59 FIGURE 70: A ROOM IN FIRST FLOOR, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 60 FIGURE 71: A BATHROOM UNIT, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 60 FIGURE 72: EANTRANCE OF CISTERN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 60 FIGURE 73: A ROOM, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 60 FIGURE 74: SOUTH ACCOMMODATION AND IWAN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 60 FIGURE 75: NORTH ACCOMMODATION AND MAHTABI, PHOTO BY AUTHOR .. 60 FIGURE 76: A VIEW OF LOBBY FROM ART GALLERY, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 61 FIGURE 77: A VIEW OF ART GALLERY AT UPPER FLOOR OF LOBBY, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 61 FIGURE 78: A VIEW OF CISTERN AND CINEMA SALOON, PHOTO BY AUTHOR . 61 FIGURE 79: CORRIDOR IN FIRST FLOOR, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 61 FIGURE 80: MAHTABI AND WINTER ACCOMMODATION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR . 61 FIGURE 81: CEILING OF A HASHTI IN NORTH ENTRANCE, PHOTO BY AUTHOR 61 FIGURE 82: A ROOM, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 61 FIGURE 83: A ROOM, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 61 FIGURE 84: A COMPLETE PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE HOUSE INCLUDING ALL SECTIONS APPROPRIATED BY THE OFFICE OF CULTURE AND TOURISM ORGANIZATION. THE MAIN HOUSE, THE BIGGER COURTYARD OR

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EASTERN COURTYARD, AND THE SMALL HOUSE WITH ITS COURTYARD IN FRONT. ALL PLANS ANDSETIONS ARE PROVIDED BY THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE ...... 83 FIGURE 85: LOCATION OF THE HOUSE OF BOROUJERDI, TAKEN FROM GOOGLE SATELITE ...... 84 FIGURE 86: PLAN OF GROUD FLOOR OF THE HOUSE INCLUDING ALL PARTS OCCUPIED BY THE OFFICE OF MINISTRY OF CULTURE. THE PLAN IS PROVIDED BY THE HOUSE AND IT HAS ONLY GROUND FLOOR. NO OVERALL PLAN FOR BASEMENT AND FIRST FLOORS IS PROVIDED...... 85 FIGURE 87: BASEMENT AND FIRST FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. THE PLAN IS PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE AND IT SHOWS ONLY THE MAIN HOUSE...... 87 FIGURE 88: SECTIONS ...... 89 FIGURE 89: ENTRANCE OF THE HOUSE, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 91 FIGURE 90: ENTRANCE OF THE HOUSE, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 91 FIGURE 91: THE SERPENTINE CORRIDOR GOES TO THE PRIVATE PART, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 92 FIGURE 92: THE COURTYARD OF THE PART OCCUPIED BY THE OFFICE, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 92 FIGURE 93: COURTYARD VIEW AND SUMMER ACCOMMODATION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 92 FIGURE 94: THE POSITIONING OF ROOMS AND MAIN HALL IN SOUTH PART OF THE MANSION, KEEPS THE MAIN HALL FAR FROM THE IWAN AND BY THIS, FAR FROM SUMMER HEAT. THE LARGE ROOM BETWEEN THE MAIN HALL AND THE IWAN ACTS LIKE A BUFFER ZONE AND BLOCKS HEAT. ... 93 FIGURE 95: A WIND TOWER ON SOUTH PART OF THE MANSION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 93 FIGURE 96: THE UNIQUE LIGHT CATCHER ELEMENT OF THEMANSION OF BOROUJERDI WHICH SYMBOLIZES KASHAN, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 93 FIGURE 97: THE SIDE ROOMS WHICH USUALLY LOCATE BESIDE MAIN HALL ARE LOCATED BEFORE IT BESIDE MAHTABI. THE MAIN HALL HAS ALSO ONLY ONE ACCESS...... 94 FIGURE 98: WEST FACADE IS A ALONGATED RIVAQ FROM SUMMER ACCOMMODATION TO OPPOSITE SIDE, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 95 FIGURE 99: VIEW OF SOUTH ACCOMMODATION AND WIND TOWERS, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 95 FIGURE 011: ORNAMENTS OF DOME OF LIGHT CHATHING ELEMENT, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 95 FIGURE 010: AIR VENTILATION ELEMENTS OF ROOF, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 95 FIGURE 012: THE ORIGINAL NAMES OF ROOMS ...... 97 FIGURE 011: THE COMPLETE PLAN OF WHAT THE OFFICE OCCUPIES SHOWS WHERE THE OFFICE ROOMS ARE LOCATED IN RED AND BLUE MASK. THE COLOR DIFFERENT MARKS FOR DIFFERENCE FOR DENSITY OF USE. THE WHITE PARTS ARE UNOCCUPIED...... 99 FIGURE 104: A ROOM OCCUPIED BY CIVIL SERVANTS IN SUMMER ACCOMMODATION OF THE MAIN HOUSE ...... 100 FIGURE 105: LIVING ROOM OF THE SMALL HOUSE WHERE MOST OF CIVUL SERVANTS WORK, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 100

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FIGURE 106: A ROOM IN SOUTH PART DEDICATED FOR PRAYING ROOM, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 100 FIGURE 107: A VIEW OF LIVING ROOM OF THE SMALL HOUSE WHERE MOST OF CIVUL SERVANTS WORK, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 100 FIGURE 108: ARCHIVE ROOM, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 100 FIGURE 109: A PART OF COURTYARD OF THE SMALL HOUSE ...... 100 FIGURE 100: TICKET CABIN AT ENTRACNE ...... 100 FIGURE 100: AN OFFICE ROOM, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 101 FIGURE 102: PRAYING ROOM, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 101 FIGURE 101: A VIEW OF LIVING ROOM OF THE SMALL HOUSE, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 101 FIGURE 104: AN OFFICE ROOM, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 101 FIGURE 115: THE OFFICE DEDICATES A PERT OF HOUSE FOR SELLING HANDCRAFTS, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 101 FIGURE 116: AN OFFICE ROOM, WINDOWS ARE COVERED BY NYLON SHEETS, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 101 FIGURE 117: STAİRS OF FİRST FLOOR USED AS DEPOT, PHOTO BY AUTHOR . 102 FIGURE 118: FİRST FLOOR ROOMS İN THE MAİN HOUSE ARE USED AS DEPOT FOR WASTED OFFİCE EQUİPMENT, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 102 FIGURE 119: PLASTER ART IN SUMMER ACCOMMODATION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 102 FIGURE 120: TOURISTS IN SUMMER ACCOMMODATION'S MAIN HALL, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 102 FIGURE 121: TRADITIONAL OUTFIT SHOW OFF IN THE HOUSE, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 102 FIGURE 122: THE MAIN HALL OF SUMMER ACCOMMODATION, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 102 FIGURE 123: ÉTUDE OF AIR STREAM FROM VENTILATION CANALS TO COURTYARD ...... 119 FIGURE 124: WIND-TOWER SHAFTS IN PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR ...... 120 FIGURE 125: MAIN OFFICE, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 121 FIGURE 126: ARCHIVE ROOM, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 121 FIGURE 127: THE MAİN OFFİCE AND LOCATİON OF DESKS, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 122 FIGURE 128: THE MAİN OFFİCE AND LOCATİON OF DESKS, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 122 FIGURE 129: DAMAGED EQUIPMENT STORED IN FIRST FLOOR SPACES, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 124 FIGURE 130: DAMAGED EQUIPMENT STORED IN FIRST FLOOR SPACES, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ...... 124 FIGURE 131: WINDOWS ARE COVERED WITH PLASTIC SHEET AND AIR CONDITIONERS ARE DEVICED IN EVERY ROOM, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ..... 124 FIGURE 132: WINDOWS ARE COVERED WITH PLASTIC SHEET AND AIR CONDITIONERS ARE DEVICED IN EVERY ROOM, PHOTO BY AUTHOR ..... 124 FIGURE 133: THREE WIND-TOWER SHAFTS IN HOUSE OF BOROUJERDI ...... 125 FIGURE 134: A GENERAL MAP OF IRAN, FROM GOOGLE IMAGES ...... 131 FIGURE 135: TOPOGRAPHY MAP OF IRAN, FROM GOOGLE IMAGES ...... 133 FIGURE 136: BARKHANS OF DESERTS OF IRAN, FROM GOOGLE IMAGES ...... 134

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FIGURE 137: KALOUTS OF THE GREAT DESERT, FROM GOOGLE IMAGES ...... 134 FIGURE 138: CLIMATIC MAP OF IRAN THAT SHOWS DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES IN THE COUNTRY, FROM WELCOMETOIRAN.COM WEBPAGE ...... 135 FIGURE 139: AERIAL HOTO OF A KARIZ SHOWING ITS VENTILATION SHAFTS, FROM CAMPRIBGE HISTORY OF IRAN ...... 138 FIGURE 140: VIEW OF INSIDE OF A KARIZ, FROM CAMBRIDGE HISTORY OF IRAN ...... 138 FIGURE 141: STRUCTURE OF A KARIZ, FROM WIKIPEDIA.ORG ...... 138 FIGURE 142: ENTRANCE OF A CISTERN IN CENTRAL IRAN, FROM ARCHIVES OF MINISTRY OF CULTURE ...... 139 FIGURE 143: A CISTERN IN PERSIAN GULF REGION, FROM ARCHIVES OF MINISTRY OF CULTURE ...... 139 FIGURE 144: PLAN OF WIND-TOWERS WITH SQUARE AND RECTANGLE BASES ...... 141 FIGURE 145: DIAGRAM OF INHALE AND EXHALE OF A WIND TOWER AND ROLE OF SUB-STREAM KARIZ WATER IN COOLING BREEZE ...... 142 FIGURE 146: COOLING WIND USING WATER POND BENEATH THE FOOT OF WIND TOWER ...... 142 FIGURE 147: A PERSPECTIVE SECTION OF A FOUR SIDED WIND TOWER SHOWING PLATES AND DIRECTION OF WINDS FOR BOTH INHALE AND EXHALE, GAZZEH 2009...... 142

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1. Introduction After modernism of early 20th century in Middle Eastern countries, many definitions related to traditional lifestyle and social life altered, devalued and deformed. Traditional lifestyle has been condemned as outdatedness and resistance against development. Beside this general idea of the era, all aspects of tradition like customary, lifestyle, extended family system and many other trends in the basis of Iranian societies have lost merits. By the new progress in urbanization and advent of technology in housing facilities during 50's and later, architecture of past has also been depreciated. Kashan as an ancient city has valuable architectural assets and it owns its value because of the region's specific residential architecture which is example of sustainable vernacular architecture. Corresponding to the reformations since the beginning of last century, residential heritages of Kashan - which are known Kashan houses and in fact are famous and notable mansions - has been gradually outdated by the growth of population and decline of classic monetary systems. (Amanat 2010)

As a result of changes most of these mansions are not being used as house anymore, thus they are serving other functions. Many are only open to visit, some are restaurants, some are office, and some turned to hotel. More than a decision for cultural properties, new functions mostly seem to be a hazy solution with no perspective for future.

1.2. Scoop of the Study Mansions of the central plateau of Iran exhibit human's capability in harsh climate. They are examples of comfortable dwellings ad sustainable architecture without consuming substantial amount of energy and resources, also without leaving footprint on environment. Furthermore, they keep intangible heritage and identity of traditional lifestyle alive. This characteristic materialized throughout centuries until central Iranian habitant learnt how to hire opposite forces of nature and turn them into favorable condition and harmonize the result with his identity to sum up in comfort and welfare. Kashan is a region in central Iran with severe dry weather and unpleasantly hot summers. This unfavorable characteristic is the

1 inspiration key behind inventive creation of residential structures we call houses of Kashan. Today the city has about fifty small and large examples of renown mansions that used to belong to elite and higher class families. Compared to other cities in the same climatic territory of central plateau of Iran as Isfahan and Yazd, Kashan not only has most amount of historical mansions, but also owns the most famous examples; like mansion of Boroujerdi and Ameri. Nevertheless, by the growth of tourism in the last few years many of those mansions possessed by private sector are being turned into hotels; Manouchehri is a good example. The trend is on dramatic increasing tempo and in the soon future having many mansions turned to hotels will be unavoidable.

This fast growth needs urgent assessment in quality of function. On the other hand, mansions like Boroujerdi's have been serving for governmental organizations. Though hotels are much closer to the original functions, yet not all facts in a traditional house is considered unless it is used as a house again, which is immaterializable. Thus a thorough, precise, ever-going, and systematic evaluation may come helpful to lead us to appropriate decisions upon data concluded from assessment of successes and failures of new functions and help up to conserve these valuable assets for future and for future's sustainable architecture.

This dissertation is an evaluatory study in conservation and re-functioning mansions of Kashan by relying on user-based surveying methods, and expert observatory and analysis. Traditional architecture of Kashan have always been a successful examples for sustainable architecture and examples of human's compatibility with harsh climate. It demonstrate the most practical type of self-organizing, and environment friendly architecture. The region whilst is notorious for its arid and warm weather, is notable for its comfortable mansions and lifestyle. This certainly lies behind technicalities and capabilities of vernacular architecture of Kashan as an example of central Iranian traditional architecture of past.

The chosen mansions are in old districts of Kashan city built over 19th century in Qajar era. They bear the era's art and architecture, and exhibit traditional lifestyle as a part of intangible value, as well as traditional comfort techniques. Two mansions chosen for purpose of the study are re-functioned after restoration project; one turned to hotel and one is serving for the office of Ministry of Culture in Kashan.

1.3. Problem definition Kashan which was famous for its kiosks and pavilions and gardens, has lost many of it architectural possession by an earthquake occurred in 18th century. Today the city owns about fifty mansions. Some are extremely large like the house of Ameri with 13000m2 area, and some are small and almost unknown like mansion of Taj. Many of these mansions

2 stayed unused, unsettled or untouched with no restoration for quite a long period of time. By the growth of city towards tourism and increase in population many of these mansions are being restored. Mansion of Manouchehri which is a hotel today is of this sort. Yet, the trend is dramatically increasing. This haste in one specific functions for that interventions and changes must implement brings the case to an urgent level before many other examples get involved. Assessment of function is the first step to evaluate the quality of design for emergency problem solution.

Beside this group of buildings, mansions which have been restored and used earlier, like mansion of Boroujerdi or Tabatabayi are occupied and owned by governmental sector. Mansion of Boroujerdi is a perfect examples of buildings which have been restored, prepared for a new function with least intervention. In this mansion the quality of functionality is discussed upon use of a space, a prepared space in which user barely feels belonging.

To emerge the facts, failures and successes in each case, and to discuss how new functions fit appropriately for criteria of conservation they need to be evaluated precisely and this analysis needs systematic method of assessment.

1.4. Theoretical Background Evaluation of buildings' technicality and functionality is an ever-going and continuous process to keep a building in most appropriate condition and to progress in design by looking back at prior examples. By literal and systematic evaluation of building have been officially begun by around 60’s in response to serious problems happened in some buildings constructed in 50’s such as mental hospitals and prisons. New fields of evaluation have been delivered by architects to put great deal of effort in this path to propose the most appropriate methods of assessment. As a result the process and method of evaluation is a dynamic criterion which has to update parallel to criteria of design. Among all of proposed methods Post Occupancy Evaluation is one of the most practical-in-time and exact-data-bringing methods which have been completely presented by 70's and immediately grew towards architecture and urban scale engineering and been welcomed as an academic and formal way of assessment. This consumer-oriented approach is a part of a new democratic paradigm embodying autonomy, self-organization, ecology, sustainability, adaptation, and continuous improvement. Methods range from qualitative self-reports of likes and dislikes to quantitative multivariate analysis, from verbal scales to observation of use, and last but not least, expert judgments.(Preiser and Nasar)

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1.5. Methodology Evaluation of re-functioned heritages has an effective role in conservation of buildings in order to approach the efficiency of designed function and emerge the negative/positive facts out to perform better in the future. This thesis intends to determine the deficiency in functional performance of buildings and satisfactory level from user’s point of view and architectural perspective to extract necessary feedback for decision making for immediate problem solving and decisions for later designs.

User-based evaluations aim to conclude facts and necessities through dwellers/users' point of view and combine with architectural observations to emerge the powerful successes and critical failures of a designed and manage for urgent problem solving. There are three major layers of elements collaborating with functionality of a building that eventually impact on users' comfort and welfare: technical elements, functional elements, and behavioral elements. There are several other vistas through a building, as economical elements, etc. that are not on our focal point.

1.5.1. Technical attributions Technical elements of a building are characterized as those deal with health, safety, and welfare; whether it influences the users, such as security, or influences the health, as safety of building like electrical installations. This range covers a vast type of installation and structural equipment of a building such as plumbing and ventilation. Some of these factors are briefly mentioned below:

Fire safety: this would be probably the earliest factor to be evaluated systematically and the results of such assessments are actively used because of concern for life and property. In relation to fire safety elements factors such as the toxicity of burning materials, smoke generation, flame spread, fire extinguishment installations, and fire resistance of the basic material of the structure, are in highlight. For example, a library has a large amount of paper which can be dangerous in case of fire and may need precautions for fire safety.

Structure: this attribute is evaluated on-site and in library, both. Structure of a building is connected with durability and strength of materials. This also affects design where building faces severer natural harshness; such as wind effect in skyscrapers, seismic design, and interaction of materials.

Electrical: electrical systems are subject to technical changes and new functional needs especially in offices and public buildings. These changes can be categorized under new facilities such as new and more telephone, computers, devices, and even new cablings.

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Acoustics: criteria on sound and acoustics are changeable from space to space. For instance, the regulation on acoustic quality in a hotel or residential apartment is rather different to that in an open office or workhouse. Acoustic criteria cover the ambient level of noise, in-space sound pollution and disturbance, and reverberation.

Sanitary spaces and ventilation: Dampness is known the major factor of deterioration of building structure materials. Good ventilation and plumbing represent reliable system with well-balanced performance. However, poor ventilation in building provides inner air problem which is a serious case of study in POE fields.

Among other elements considered as technical elements on building performance illumination, exterior walls, interior finishes, roofs, and environmental control system are remarkable.

1.5.2. Functional attributions Functional elements of a building are those directly support the activities that a building contains. In this case, some elements are specifically related to building type such as facilities and special rooms in a hospital; X-ray lead covered rooms for instance; and some are qualitative factors which debate on quality of function such as accessibility and spatial adequacy. However, most of elements of functional performance are generic such as storage, security or WC. The boldest element in evaluation of a building’s function is its human- based factor which is a work-environment-related factor. This field concerns with configuration and dimension in design to match physical dimension and occupant’s psychological needs. Beside human factor a sort of elements and criteria exist each of which dedicated to a type of building such as storage for a market, flexibility and change in industry and offices, etc.

1.5.3. Behavioral attributions. Behavioral performance links occupants’ activities and satisfaction with the built environment which are concerned with the impact of a building upon the psychological and sociological well-being of the building’s occupants. The size of an area and number of people sharing it influence occupants’ behavior, for instance. Preiser proposes few questions to expose what behavioral elements address in building performance: “Does the functional distance between areas in a facility affect their frequency of use? Does the configuration of circulation routes affect social interaction? What features will best provide an appropriate image for a building? What design attributes provide for the occupants’ perception

5 s of both an understandable stimulating building? How can a satisfactory level of privacy as well as social interaction be developed for building occupants?” Preiser also introduces behavioral elements as a sort of morals and cognitions affected by building design, space, image and meaning of building in occupants’ point of view. A factor which he emphasizes is proxemics and territoriality. Proxemics; in sociology and psychology; is the spatial requirement that people feel it necessary to communicate and interaction; which is highly affected by sex, age, culture, and activity. Territoriality is a term associated with nonverbal communication that refers to how people use space to communicate ownership/occupancy of areas and possessions (Beebe, Beebe & Redmond 2008, p. 209). In the recent years, this concept has been found to be specifically highlighted in designing.

These three methods (however one might be interested in more elements like economic benefit evaluation) deliver data for assessment yet merely are not implemented until the data are placed into an evaluation framework. The performance evaluation research framework provides linkage between evaluation of building and measurement technology, databases and information system, and performance criteria (Preiser et al, 1988).

To reach more accurate and more practical-in-time data, building should be analyzed through expert point of view and user point of view together. Basically in this research the major attitude of analysis is surveying users of both buildings, and expert observation. In this trend, the changes in structure and form of the buildings towards preparing for new function and furniture and installation settings are detected from architectural point of view. It also discuss the quality of changes from original condition to current condition. Since users do not know about the prior condition of buildings, per se, they only participate in their current condition. In surveying the aim is to extract information from three different stages mentioned above to discuss the quality of function from different angles. In technical stage the level of satisfactory of the elements such as devices, installations, furniture, acoustic, air circulation, ventilation of sanitary spaces, security, and safety is marked. In the second stage it looks to the architectural attributes of the buildings after re-functioning such as spatial adequacy, accessibility, way finding, space use (to define how well a particular space is in use), privacy, individuality, etc. The third phase is on psychological effects of the buildings on users. Since one of the buildings is hotel, therefore, its effect on guests is ephemeral and limited to emotions and short-time behaviors for examples going from point A to point B. The other building is occupied permanently by civil servants of Ministry of Culture for 8 hours a day and 6 days a week, therefore their behavioral characteristics are long-term. In this step the morals and feelings of the people is asked; for example sense of relaxing, sense of privacy, sense of communication with others (merely for Boroujerdi house), if they changed anything in their room (furniture or decor), etc.

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After gathering data and surveys from users of buildings, the result is transformed by SPSS software into graphic bars and numeral charts for better understanding. Beside this, architectural observations is a necessary part of evaluation. Changes in body of building during restoration, successes of design and its failures, diagnosis overview, use of space, workload on building and quality of use are facts emerged by architects. From combination of these two sides of data gathering and analysis the final assessment concludes.

1.6. Constrains The day I picked such cases for my thesis I was entirely aware of lack of sources about Kashan. Unfortunately, Kashan; as will be discussed in its part; is an unknown famous city in the territory of history. Nonetheless, it has barely appeared more than few pages in even biggest and the most detailed history books, unless some affairs that does not imply to any useful hint about the city. For that, writing about history of the city and finding torn papers including some information from here and there, seriously hinders the research.

Moreover, beside lack of reliable information, the climatic attributions are potentially unsolvable problems since Kashan is proper to visit only in limited time of the year which is from October until April. The extreme heat of the region and dryness are seriously irritating in non-touristic seasons. Being far from every part of Iran, right in the middle of desert somewhere on a road, one might barely wish to go and stay in Kashan for a leisure! But thankfully, there were curious tourists interested about traditional part of Iran who visited, otherwise it would be even much exhausting with filling survey forms.

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CHAPTER 2

KASHAN AND KASHAN HOUSES

Figure 1: Kashan landscape by John Chardin, Travels through Persia, 1724

Iran is a complex region of climates, a massive part of which is occupied by dry lands of desert and arid soil. Central plateau of Iran which itself varies in topography and weather identifies a specific type of courtyard house which informally named Persian houses1. Like every single examples in four corners of world, this certain design is formed during history upon cultural believes, material accessibility and climatic determinations. (Ranjbar, 2002)

2.1. General information about Kashan kāšān) is a city and a sub-province of Isfahan province that locates on the کاشان) Kashan north-south axial route of central Iran (lat 33° 59ʹ 30ʹʹ N, long 51° 27ʹ 00ʹʹ E; elev. 950 m), 260 km south of Tehran and 220 km north of Isfahan. (Encylopaedia of Islam, 1989)

1 In this article historical and vernacular colossal mansions in central plateau of Iran which are considerable not only for their historical value but also for their architectural compatibilities, are informally called Persian Houses.

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The origin of term Kashan; as far as we know; comes from Kasian, probably a name to the original ancient inhabitant of the city dating back to 7000 years ago at Tappe Sialk. Then it turns to Kashian. During Islamic period the city was and still is an important center of high quality pottery and glazed tile production which in modern Persian the word Kāshi means both glazed tile, and citizens of the city of Kashan. With these all, there is no reliable etymology for the name of the city. (Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XVI, 1999)

2.2. History of Kashan Talking about history of Kashan is a real bear, since, unlike expectations, the references about this city and its history are scant and scattered; a part of which is unreliable and poor in explanation, however, there are observable and trustable archaeological sources about ancient Kashan and Sialk Mound. Form ancient times until the first Persian empires, the history of the region is unclear as no evidence of civilization; in archaeological meaning; nor written source is detected. In overall, before explaining the history of Kashan during these epochs, few types of literature are employed to conclude a decent brief history; though insufficient. During all her 7000 years life, Kashan was open to invaders from inner or foreigner rulers and conquerors. One came, ruled, died or been killed, one after another and so on, noting remained but few buildings and remnants. Since the earliest time of its settlement, human learned pottery and art of soil that today, still after thousands of years, Kashan produces the best of this craft in the country. The question of “why such city has unknown history” gets bolder when we realize Kashan’s commercial importance and its geographical potentials on the Silk Road. From ancient times Kashan or better to mention Sialk civilization was a prominent center of pottery and tile production; economically interconnected to Elamid civilization and other Mesopotamians (Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XVI, 1999). After Islamic period, silk and brocade art - with or without gold or silver threads - meets its highest degree of art and techniques, so as carpet and textile.

2.2.1. Ancient and Pre-Islamic Period Pre-Islamic history of Kashan is chaptered into two vast eras: before hegemony of local powers and formation of first Persian empires, and during Persian empires. The ancient Kashan civilization is named Sialk -in fact there were nowhere names Kashan or whatsoever mentioned on history pages. What we have today about Sialk civilization is two mounds with about 600 meters distance in between located at southwest of city of Kashan in Fin district.

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The remnants of this civilization are a temple or ziggurat2, few skeleton and architectural remains and tons of pots, bowls and many other ceramics all in clay. What is highly important to say is the extinction of Sialk and advent of Kashan. Geological studies reveal that Kashan’s harsh nature has not changed through millenniums. Salt desert and salt lakes are almost at their first place and in their early conditions. Tracks of underground water deposits also do not show a change in plantation and weather. So what comes out is Sialk must have been eliminated by something out of geographical determinations.

Figure 2: Tappe Sialk from archives of Flickr.com

The second phase of history of Kashan refers to epoch of main pre-Islamic Persian empires: Achamenids and Sassanids. Unfortunately, from centuries of empires there is no written inscription or a reliable archaeological remnant to lead us to a point about the condition of the city; only few bureaucratic data about incomes and fund and construction curved on clay plates has been discovered.

2.2.2. Islamic period From the first Islamic century when Iran went under Arab invasion till the first Iranian Muslim rulers there are no valuable inscriptions about Kashan, notwithstanding, there are several Arabic references describing governmental affairs or chaos and riots. The first inscriptions, Ibn-i Raste is his book A’elaq on’Nafise mentions too short about a city and its fountains. Moqaddasi, Estakhri, Ibn-i Houqal and Yaqut Humavi mention shortly about the city. Therefore, it is concluded that in the first centuries of Islamic era, Kashan was still a random city with nothing specific to governments. Instead of some few notes in which Kashan’s name is included, there is nothing extra to give us a clue about what happened in the city during first Islamic centuries. In some political notes and minor historic inscription

2 Pre-historic massive temples in ancient Persia and Mesopotamia where, like mosque or cathedral, people used to gather in special day for rituals and sacrifice and pray. (Ghrishman, 1964)

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Kashan is mentions several times beside the name of Rayy3 and Qom. Rayy, Kashan and Qom; together; were centers of Shiit Islamic objections that was a forbidden believe of Islam and whoever was in would have been sentenced to death severely. Although its rich and critical position in Shiism, unlike famous cities like Isfahan, Neyshabur and Gorgan, or even unlike Qom and Rayy, it has never been important.

Figure 3: Jalali castel and complex, Seljuk era, flickr.com photo archives

The great invasion of Mongols was a huge reform in every aspect of social life in Iran. The massive attack destroyed many small cities forever and some like Nishapur has been demolished greatly but restored within a century. During all these centuries all is documented is massacre and cruelty of foreign rulers to people of Kashan, just as happened to other cities.

After several centuries of silence Kashan eventually meets its lustrous days in Safavid era (1501-1786 AD). Several factors contribute this new age:

Safavids, who are first independent Iranian empire after Islam and were Shiit Muslims, changed the ideological and political systems and constructed a nation-state or national- integrity which was a replica of what Sassaninds (224-650 AD) had done just before Islam arrives to Iran (Encylopaedia Iranica Vol VI. 2011). By this, Kashan which used to be occupied by rulers and emirs of smaller foreigner dynasties, possessed a state governor who was appointed by the majesty himself (Encylopaedia Iranica Vol VI. 2011). Secondly, since Kashan was a pioneer in Shiism it has been secured by the royal court and has been greatly cared.

3 Rayy; today a city in Tehran province; is one of the ancient cities of Iran with brilliant background in science, politics and religious knowledge. Avicenna and Razi are famous faces of science from this city. Rayy is one of the pioneer cities which joined Shiit Islam and still is one of the most important cities is this movement beside Qom, Mashhad and Kashan.

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Kashan gained more fame after Sah Abbas the Great (1571-1629 AD) reestablished their third capital, Isfahan, in 1598. His interest and passion towards fashion and the way he employed the trend to demonstrate his glorious throne to foreign ambassadors whose travels became most often in Shah's realm, realized Kashan's potentials in carpet, brocade and silk craftsmanship and deliberately invests in the city to improve the trade and hire it (Chardin, 1686).

Qajars (1794-1925 AD) who were Saffavids' war commanders rose to power against Zands (1751-1794 AD) and occupied throne. During this era, although the capital had been moved away from Isfahan since 1736, Kashan politically regains its value and once again it becomes bold not only commercially but also politically. Considerable growth of foreign traffic through Persia and commercial interrelationship between Persia and Europe also develops Kashan economically. The mansions we visit today are representation of glory of that golden era.

2.2.3.Modern days After modernism and reform of Reza Shah Pahlavi in the beginning of 20th century, Kashan continued in its traditional style since the region has never been notable in industry. But today Kashan is still as important as ancient times in cultural activities as literature and poetry. Its carpets and carpet techniques are notable. The only considerable factories of the city are some numerous yet quite successful tile and glazed tile industry which are number ones in the country.

2.3. City of Kashan, its location and phycical aspects Kashan locates in between the Karkas heights from west - that provides water and chilly weather and breezes - and the great deserts of Iran from east - that makes the condition severe. This paradox makes conditions complicated to inhabit. Since Kashan is more intended to plain lands it is considered a desert city. The city covers an area of nearly 9,647 km² owning four cities, six towns and one hundred five inhabited villages with 248,789 at the census of 2006. The annual average of temperature in the city is approximately 19˚C with immense yearly variation that may exceed 50˚ C and barely decreases below zero. The average precipitation is 137 mm (128mm mentioned in some sources) and it happens in winter-spring seasons and mainly as rain. Kashan locates on a point where passes the only path from Tehran to the southern cities. Therefore, it still keeps its location importance and takes advantage of. By other means, the city is a terminal; one side to Tehran and Qom and the other side to Isfahan, Yazd and Kerman.

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Figure 4: Location of Kashan on the map of Iran, photo taken from Google images

2.4. Climate and vegatation According to Köppen-Geiger climatic system Kashan’s climate is classified under BHw group (hot desert climate). It presents the city in extremely hot and dry summers when temperature exceeds 40˚C and beyond (in my first trip in exceeded to nearly 50˚C at 2:00 PM in July) in day and approximately 25˚C in night. July is the hottest month. Temperature variation in winter is relatively warm compared to some other parts of the country. It barely decreases to under 0˚C and in December and January the maximum temperature is about 10˚C. Such warm climate becomes rather harsher when it mixed with desert severe dryness and extreme temperature. This is factually why eastern part of Kashan is poor in vegetation.

For its critical location at the edge of the deserts it is poor in cultivation and winds are the major factor in forming of such barren lands. We have less or more 60 days of stormy weather in Kashan including local winds and regional winds from bygone lands which happen at the end of winter and middle of summer and their maximum speed is alternating between 80 to 105 km/h.

Locating on plain part of central Iranian plateau, Kashan barely meets precipitations. From one side bygone mountain with few snow fall yearly, from the other side a massive landscape of great desert of Iran. National Geographical Research Institute's records of annual average rainfall in Kashan shows the highest volume of precipitation is in April and March, respectively, with about 28mm in April as maximum monthly rainfall and 0.2mm in September as the driest month. This is while December and January have the most rainy days with 6 days and no rainy days for Augustus and September as the minimums. The main precipitation in the sub-province is in rain form instead of some bare cases of snowfall in

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January in small amount. The total precipitation cannot contribute in necessary irrigation for cultivation and husbandry. This amount of falling water reduces with decrease in elevation as it goes to desert at northeastern part of the sub-province. (weather database archives of Kashan)

Generally because of shortage of water sources the region of Kashan is poor in variety of flora to few types of shrubs, bushes, trees, fruits and flowers. The most characteristic tree that is planted everywhere is sycamore. It is highly appreciated for its vase shadow, its quality wood, and resistance in dry seasons. As for fruit trees, Kashan is famous for fig and pomegranate. But Kashan is poor in cereals; historically poor. As evidences present, a considerable income and expenses of the city was always dedicated to purchase wheat and grain from other provinces.

2.5. Socio-economical characteristics The sub-province of Kashan (the city of Kashan and its towns and villages) covers an area of nearly 9,647 km² owning four cities, six towns and one hundred five inhabited villages with population of 248,789 at the census of 2006.

The city of Kashan possesses approximately 90 percent of its sub-province population and in terms of demography it is increasing in urban population. In the course of fifty years (1966- 2006), the percentage of Kashan’s urban population has dramatically increased from 28 to 90 percent, while Iran’s total urban population has been increased from 30/4 to 68/5 percent.

As it describes in history part, Kashan was one of the earliest cities that joined Shiit Islam and this city has delivered great characters in this movement. Beside rich Shiit culture this city until few years ago was one of the biggest centers of Jewish society especially in Afsharid period when Nadir Shad Afshar established a state in which people were free to hold their own religion, Jewish became active and Kashan becomes the center of Jewish society and Jewish ideology. Although Kashan’s Jewish dialect indicates an ancient presence in the region, medieval sources do not mention a Jewish community among the Shiit population of Kashan. However, after modernism in Pahlavi kingdom (1924-1979) religious activities in Kashan decreases by force and it continues with migration of Jewish people to Israel and the United States. Shiit Islam, on the other hand, grows in Safavid time and Kashan owns its sacred tombs mostly from that days. Today it is still a big center of Shia. High percent of population is Shiit and a minority of other religions which before Islamic revolution of 1979 were in considerable number like Sunni and Baha’i Muslims, Zoroastrians and Jewish people. (Amanat, 2011)

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Kashan classifies in cities with poor potential in agriculture. The region for its low population and small territory is not vast enough in industry. Nevertheless, historically it is rich in pottery and tile and glazed tile craftsmanship that leads the region to be one of the best in the industry in mechanical form. The city has grown in glazed tile industry since two decades. The rest relies on craftsmanship and art of textile and carpet weaving at one side, and apothecal and herb distillery. Kashan has always been famous in carpet art and held considerable place in world with its significant technique of carpet weaving. The city's history of decorative and luxury fabrics like brocades-weaving, velvet, etc. is as rich as its carpets. Alas, this traditional technique is living its fatigue days since modern textile factories took hegemony in the industry and the traditional methods cannot meet mass production demand. The potential on growing in carpet and textile arts arises from abundance of raw material in the place, specially silk. Though silk is not local to central Iranian plateau, it completely fit Kashan's weather and brought it success. Beside weaving craftsmanship Kashan is so renown in pharmaceutical distillery and herbaceous medicines. Distillery relies on harvest season. Kashan rose is a specific type of small-flowered pink rose with juicy smell, merely used in distillation for rosewater. This business happens in certain time of year and each harvest usually meets need for whole year in vast production. Rosewater has large consumption area in gastronomic arts and pastry. Beside that it is mainly used in rituals and religious ceremonies as holidays, funeral, sacred holidays, etc. Medicinal and aphotecal distillery is what can largely be found in Kashan more than any other region in Iran. More than hundred types of syrups from flowers, roots, thorns, bark, leaves, stems, blossoms and every form of plant is produced and each is traditionally used for healing and removing pain or illness. (Costello, 1971)

Figure 5: rose has always been an impostant Figure 6: shelves of apothecal distilled products, source of income in Kashan, photo taken from photo taken from Blogfa.com Blogfa.com

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2.6. General characteristics of houses of Kashan Residential architecture of Iran is one of the most successful achievements in traditional art and architecture of Iran which bears all aspects and characteristics of Iranian lifestyle and culture as much as technical capabilities and specifications of traditional architecture. Since this trend of architecture is highly in relation with climate, it needs to be analyzed from region to region, but since our case merely focuses on Kashan, the only type of house explained and classified is typical mansions of central plateau and deserts. Though the houses of a particular region like Kashan follow certain criteria in design, there are differences in size, elevation, direction and spatial relation. This brief typology of houses of Kashan aims to identify general aspects of Kashan mansions by classifying them upon this direction, spatial organization, and their winter/summer sequences. For this study I chose houses of Ameri, Abbasi, Attarha, Boroujerdi, Manouchehri and Tabatabayi.

which in Persian language informally defines house, literally comes to the ;(خانه) Khāne nevertheless; is ;(سرا) meaning of an unit room in a house in traditional language. Sarā formal definition of a complete house in Persian language: a residential building consisting several rooms and spaces. Both terms have different meanings and functions by the way. In public and state buildings, the term khane; which is originally a Turkish4 term; comes as suffix after a name to define an activity or function for a building or a room: for example, -means teahouse; where tea serves, or Kabutar (چایخانه) Chāy means tea and Chāy-khāne .means pigeon-house; a cylinder tower entirely served for pigeons’ nest (کبوترخانه) khāne Notwithstanding, the way each room in a Persian house is named is complex and differs means holy (چلیپا) from space to space. It may bear its name upon its plan form like Chalipa (باالخانه) cross which is in the shape of cross, may name after its location like Balakhane means kitchen, or after their (مطبخ) means upper room, or after its function like Matbakh meaning five-doored which is large living room with five (پنج دری) possession like Panj Dari openings windows to courtyard. (Ranjbar 2002)

It can be concluded from an overview to shape of several examples in one particular region while cultural identity is a major factor of unity in design of courtyard houses, climatic attributions and material availability play important role in formation of courtyard house and urban morphology as well. In the past, when technology was not even a word in a vocabulary, building performance pertained on favorable or severe climatic determinations. Major climatic elements are earth topography and elevation, sunlight, and winds. It means a building was constructed in a particular position and elevation to gain or avoid sunlight,

4 the term Kahne comes from Kahn means major and it widespreadly is used since Mongul era (14th century) in Persian literature parallel to many other terms from that culture.

17 moisture, temperature and wind. During centuries this elements casted essential rules that encapsulate major characteristic of Iranian architecture that is introversion; a highly spiritual identity translated by physical form of dwelling that acts impressively towards favorable needs to establish utmost comfort and meets cultural and religious believes.

Introvert design is default of Iranian residential architecture, nevertheless, this design has distinct aspects from region to region. Harmony of spaces, spatial accessibility, elevation from ground, largeness, dimensions of courtyard, etc. are all impressed by needs for natural air circulation, sunlight and fresh air, and comfort preferences. (Pirnia, 0995)

Beside introversion, what makes Iranian mansions is seasonal division for summer/winter accommodation sequences. This characteristic which plays vital role in architecture of hot and dry region, is ignored today by the increase in technology of cooling and heating systems and by the growth of population. Need for dwelling after increase in population put the trend under pressure for more lots and lesser area of construction, for that many smaller mansions and traditional houses have been demolished for new constructions. Summer/winter module is a self-organized and less-consuming type of green architecture that relies on potentials of nature to turn it into comfort. All these characteristics and capabilities are shaped during centuries and relying of major principles and criteria of traditional design which is adaptable to all type of building after Islamic period5.

Figure 7: a hashti and its accessibilities to neighbor spaces, mansion of Tabatabayi

Spatial hierarchy in Iranian architecture is another initial factor that all traditional Iranian houses are built in regards to. This fashion interprets the spaces into several priority classes with the idea of strictly private/semi-private/public, ceremonial/casual daily or main/minor and also defines orientation of space. The form of traditional family in Iran was always

5 Pirnia and many others divide traditional architecture of Iran in two main group of Before Islam and After Islam in which there are two pre-Islamic styles: Pars and Part, and four Islamic styles of architecture: Khorasani, Razi, Azari, Isfahani.

18 patriarchy and extended with sometimes to 12 families in a house. In most of elite families the extended colonies are bigger and; for instance Ameri’s house in Kashan had been settled by seven families of Ameri. This large populated inner society distributed in several spaces where the lord of house keeps the main parts of it and the most predominant part of the house, the sons and daughters settle in smaller parts, respectively. Also the division and access from private spaces to public spaces where guests are accepted is restricted by corridors and buffer rooms or sometimes by floor division. This spatial hierarchy is shown from the very first moment step-in to the most restricted privacy part and it is demonstrated with richness of ornaments, dimension of rooms and architectural aesthetics. From the entrance of the house an architectural element responses to dividing the paths to different that performs the same (هشتی) parts of house and different levels of privacy named Hashti with vestibule in western architecture.

Figure 8: common ratios in hashti and common rations in Persian golden ratios

Hashti is mainly an octagonal-planned non-dwelling room that short business meetings or lesser important consults are accepted in there. In all layers of a building and in all classes of spatial hierarchy, if only one fact is important, it is the proportion of the spaces and ratio of the sides. The human size is the standard to calculate all the lengths, widths and heights and all the elements space are set according to this standard. Pirnia and Monshizadeh suggest five major factors in sustainable architecture of Iran and classify them as:

1. Mardomvari (harmony with human requirements): it concerns with functionality set with human needs and measurement scaled with human body.

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2. Peymoon (module unity): all measurements in a building are harmonized with Iranian standards6.

3. Khod-Basandegi (self-efficiency and autarchy): using local materials preferably gathered in construction lot. This not also result in less expenses but also guarantees more compatibility between material and climate.

4. Niyaresh (structural stability): working with most detailed and rigid traditional techniques to enforce building against erosion, earthquake, and other unfavorable disasters. Since the major part of materials in central plateau is adobe, the buildings need very masterly masonry to guarantee its life for centuries.

5. Parhiz az Bihoudegi (avoiding inessential): though mansions are colossal in structure and flamboyant in ornaments, the main criteria in construction is avoiding much to waste and keep the overall impression humble for outside That is why the out face of a building looks so modest and simple.

Geographical and climatic determinations of design become more visible in the field when one sees tremendous sand storms or 120 days of storm winds which exceed 100mk/h from Sistan, intolerable cold winters of Kurdistan, ultimate humid sea weather of Persian Gulf, and 250 days of rainy weather in Gilan. All these geographies are common in one characteristic: human still lives here.

It is Persian house's capability toward such severe conditions that reveals human can retain and continue to live under qualified standards of design. Perhaps the major factor in design is direction of locating of a house or a building (رون) of citied in past is the direction. Rūn according to north. (Pirnia 1995)

Figure 9: three main direction in Iran which rule generally in several regions. From left to right: rūn-e rāste, rūn-e Kermani, and rūn-e Isfahani. It can be possible to see several examples of different directions in one specific region. For examples many mansions in Kashan are not on rūn-e rāste.

6 In Iranian architecture measurement unit was Gaz and Arash which was half a gaz and a gaz is about 103cm.

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There is a proper axis for construction in every region, thereby, a buildings is constructed on in major rūn which is shown by a rectangle7 or simply by a double-headed arrow formed in a regular hexagon which indicates the direction of building location, main axes, and openings. Three rectangles are formed in a regular hexagon and there are three rūns each for a sort of cities. Rūn-e Rāste (rāste means straight) shows northeast-southwest direction. This rūn rules cities as Tehran, Yazd, Kashan, Jahrom, and Tabriz. Rūn-e Kermani shows east-west direction and rules in Kerman, Hamadan, Khuy and some of West Azerbaijan cities. And Isfahan, Estakhr, and some towns of Fars province lie at Rūn-e Isfahani that shows northwest-southeast direction (Pirnia 1995). Not only for every single building, but also in urban scale, rūns show the best direction for main roads for better ventilation and air pollution escape. Tehran, for example, which is developed in the time of modernism of early 20th century is constructed on western grid format with north/south and west/east axes instead of its rūn, for which the city suffers from serious lack of ventilation.

By a general overview in several mansions in one particular city it can be concluded not all the mansions or building are located on this axes and this may happen because of lack of space for construction or specific design for certain needs. Only in Kashan there are several examples of mansions constructed on rūn-e Kermani and even Isfahani while the main axis on the town is on rūn-e rāste.

In the following comes a brief typology of six famous mansions qualified for analysis and classification which is done in term of winter/summer accommodation sequence, direction, spatial organization and open/close space sequence. In this classification the buildings are evaluated on their main floor which is ground floor. Among the examples the mansion of Abbasi which today is parted between heirs and only one part if remained original has specific design that does not include typical summer/winter sequence. To spread spaces beside each other and form around a vast courtyard to compose in typical winter/summer accommodation format, the house of Abbasi lacks sufficient area of lot for construction. For that architect solves the need for space and summer/winter sequence by deepening elevation which means (گودال باغچه) from street level. This specific design is called Goudal-Baghche pit-garden. In this module the courtyard is deepen by one extra floor down and not only it stays cooler, but also the access to water sources becomes easier. Therefore, lower floors for summer and upper floors are used in winter. In the town there are few other examples of this design but in Kashan the most famous example of Goudal-Baghche is the house of Abbasi. In this module building does not possess a close basement floor as in mansion of Ameri or Manouchenri, instead a supreme fresh and cold courtyard floor which is smaller in spans and

7 The rectangle formed in a geometric hexagon is also one of the Persian Golden Rectangles.

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,(کاریز) area takes less sunlight and because of easy access to sub-stream cold water of kariz it is sufficiently cold. Furthermore, goudal baghche houses barely need wind-towers, as mansion of Abbasi which has not any. Upper floor which catches more sunshine is more profitable for winter accommodation.

Figure 11: the courtyard of mansion of Abbasi is Figure 11: a perspective view on the house precisely lower than the ground floor. It provides shady shows the depth of courtyard. Photo taken from and cold courtyard floor which is more favorable Ministry of Culture archives. in summer. Instead of this, this module does not own basement floor. The upper floor is mainly used in winter to catch sunshine from each side. Photo taken from Ministry of Culture archives.

Because of this specific design, goudal baghche buildings like mansion of Abbasi and Aqa Bozorg Mosque, play a mysterious and perplexing visual illusion in complex arrangement of spaces and floors which in fact makes this style looking more introvert and feeling more secured.

The first factor to evaluate is the direction of the buildings on their lot. Major rūn in Kashan in rāste which has northeast-southeast direction but for their large scale and systematic arrangement of space and ratios, the houses may not necessarily be on this direction. As pictured in the charts the houses of Boroujerdi, Manouchehri and Ameri are constructed on rūn-e rāste. Ameri's property has slightly rotation to east in one part. This may because of limitation in lots during construction time. This house which is a baffling sort of spaces with approximately 13000m2 is the oldest house in the region which first phase is constructed before Qajar era (1785-1925). A small house8 in the mansion of Ameri is constructed on rūn- e Isfahani, yet the majority of building still tends to southwest-northeast axis. This is while the mansions of Abbasi, Ameri, and Tabatabayi locate on rūn-e Isfahani which heads from southeast to northwest. The direction of rūn is notified by the form of courtyard. Courtyards in Persian houses are usually rectangular based on Persian golden rectangles. But in some exceptions spare courtyard is surrounded with spaces that form a rectangular integrity and whole.

8 The house of Ameri is a complex of eight interlaced dwelling belonging to a large noble aristocrat family.

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Regarding to close/semi-open/open spatial stream, Iranian architecture has always been very firm to obey the rules of spatial hierarchy. Courtyard as an open space is the heart of building around which a sort of semi/open or close spaces in priority settle. Semi-opens spaces can be mahtabi and iwan and close spaces which are in priority are those rooms and living rooms which directly open to courtyard. (Ardalan, 1973)

Figure 12: the south iwan of Manouchehri House. Figure 13: mahtabi in north part of the mansion, Photo by author. both are examples of semi-open spaces which are buffering sequence between close spaces and open space. Photo by author.

Behind these rooms set of least priority close spaces locate. These are rooms with lesser traffic and use and usually farer from courtyard. Beside this evaluation, analysis on common spaces (hashti and courtyard) could be considered. Hashti defines accessibilities and joints corridors and spaces to each others.

Figure 14: sequence and hierarchy of spatial harmony and spatial passage from opens space (courtyard) to iwan (semi-open) to rooms and so on.

From general point of view hashti also defines priority hierarchy in close spaces by order of public space, semi-public space, and private space. By which a house, like the mansion of

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Boroujerdi, consists of three levels: first the entrance and big hashti after entry, then semi- public and slightly private part, then strictly private part. This array is bolder in mansions whose owner had frequent meetings with people and needed to separate spaces for short meetings or manly conferences. (Eskandari 2011)

Spatial hierarchy in Persian architecture is always from open to close, from large to small and from common to private. By this definition, a hashti which plays role of vestibule is a common space that divides common rooms and corridors. From there, circulation transferes to smaller common rooms or directly to rooms or living rooms, and so on. This emphasis on harmony repeats like a module and principle in every aspect of Persian arts. (Ardalan 1973)

Summer winter division in traditional residential buildings of central plateau of Iran is the most famous characteristic of these buildings. This trend is conducted in every single traditional house in hot and dry region, though small dwellings or large mansions. While the division is critical for comfort and health, it is totally nonsense by the change in region to coasts of Caspian Sea in north of Iran. While houses in central Iran are identified by extreme introversion and seasonal divisions, the northern coasts dwelling are entirely extrovert with no seasonal division. The courtyard in a house in Yazd turns to farm and garden around a

Figure 15: a typical module of residence in Figure 16: an examples of extrovert houses in Kashan with angle toward northeast/southwest north or Iran. and wind-tower and inner-courtyard that signifies introversion architecture. house in core of lot. Absolutely, the impact of geography in formation of culture is undeniable but comparing introvert and extrovert designs what comes to mind first is the huge effect of culture and religion that makes these buildings much distinct. By increase in severeness of weather, traditional design of building approached more systematic levels. The examples of such improvement can be found on coastal regions of Persian Gulf where for religious and cultural inclination the building forms introvert persona but to deal with extreme humid and hot weather it is extrovert as well. This specific condition brings a combo of opposite direction in an intro-extrovert design.

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Dwellers of hot and dry region of Iran live long hot summer and moderate short winters and face frequent lack of water. The architecture of this region is highly affected by this attribution and for that it has certain characteristics: Clay and adobe are main material of construction as they have thermal capability and they are available. Plans of buildings are dense and complex in spatial arrangement. Buildings are designed in a way to create shadow both for interior and exterior of buildings. Because of lack of wood and timber in the area the roofs are domed or mounded. Courtyard and pond are mandatory to provide moisture. (Shaterian 2008)

For such climatic conditions, winter accommodations are considerably smaller than summer accommodation and the façade of winter part is always less ornamented. This division displays an interesting part of traditional lifestyle and housing with two different homes, different dresses, arrangement in rooms in one particular building.

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Figure 17: typology of some pf mansions of Kashan according to their general composition, direction, open/close spatial organization, and winter/summer division.

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Figure 18: typology of some pf mansions of Kashan according to their general composition, direction, open/close spatial organization, and winter/summer division.

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CHAPTER 3

CASE STUDY

3.1. Introduction The mansions we call Kashan houses are remnants of 19th century pre-modernism era. There are more than fifty mansions remained in the city; some are occupied and possessed by governmental organizations, some others are still possessed by private sector, used or unused. For this study two mansions are selected upon their new functions. The mansion of Manouchehri is a traditional hotel, and the mansion of Boroujerdi is an office. Manouchehri House which is in fact a traditional hotel is a good example of what is happening to some of smaller mansions of Kashan in the recent years. Earlier in Introduction described that by the growth of tourism in the region need for accommodation increases and Traditional Houses - if we might call them by the title they are called - rose upon lack of quality and quantity in modern hotels. Furthermore, in harmony and integrity with traditional urban context of Kashan traditional houses are more charming and welcoming. The necessity of this evaluation is because of hasten increase in number of mansions turning to hotels. On the other hand mansion of Boroujerdi is an example of default of the first generation of mansions occupied by government and governmental sectors. This series usually contain the most famous and largest mansions as Ameri, Tabatabayi, Attarha, Boroujerdi and Abbasi. Ministry of Culture took responsibility for restoration of these buildings and after restoration finished they have been rented to or occupied by governmental sectors. Mansion of Attarha is hired by the faculty of architecture of University of Kashan. Mansion of Boroujerdi which represents aristocracy of a certain period of Qajar and early 19th century of Iran, is today partially used by the office and partially open to public for visit. As a result of long-term temporary settlement - in which everything is settled since years ago but nothing gives the impression of permanent occupation - the building is used by people who do not belong to it. Therefore, considering this classifications, I picked one from each group two analysis quality of function in each case.

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3.2. The mansion of Manouchehri The house of Manuchehri is another example of the higher-class dwellings in Kashan used to The mansion is constructed in .(رشادی) be possessed by wealthy merchant family of Rashādi two phases. The first part which is built during early and mid-Qajar period includes the north and east part, then the south part is added by the late of Qajar period.

Figure 19: the eastern façade of mansion of Manouchehri. Photo taken from hotel's archive.

3.2.1. Historical background The house of Manouchehri (originally Rashadi) has not a considerable history to be mentioned in books but as a part of a district with majority of textile merchants it displays certain wealth class and group of society. Dr. Mehrdad Amanat's diaries about his childhood in the house of Manouchehri unveils more facts than written by any other about this house. The following is memories of Dr. Mehrdad Amanat about the background of Manouchehri mansion:

"My grandfather, Morad Amanat, a silk and textile merchant from Kashan who had benefited from the freedoms of the Constitutional Revolution, purchased the house around 1915 and added a section to its main structure thereby creating its present L shape plan. He sold the house in the 1930's, after the global depression ruined his business and forced him to move to Tehran. The new owners, the Shahriyari family, subsequently sold it to the Rashadi family in the 1950's. The house is registered as the Rashadi house in the list of Kashan's architecturally significant houses prepared in the 1980's by conservation expert Mohammad Reza Haeri. In the 1990's the house which to this day does not have automobile

32 access, fell into disrepair, was divided into two houses by a wall in the middle of the courtyard and was occupied by Afghan refugees. By the 2000's it was almost in total ruins and went through a long bank foreclosure process which took years to complete. My brother Abbas's efforts to purchase and revive it into a handicraft center did not materialize. It was instead purchased by Ms. Manouchehri who with help from conservationists such as Kamran Safamanesh put a great deal of effort and investment into refurbishing it to its present beautiful condition."

3.2.2. Location

Figure 20: the red spotted areas are parts of Manouchehri project, the left spot is an empty lot prepared for parking for the right spot which is the house itself. Map taken by Google satelite.

The house of Manouchehri locates at Mohtasham street in a district in city center of Kashan near to the grand bazaar. The district informally is called Sarepol which back in days until few decades ago used to be a Jewish neighborhood and settlement for many of the noble merchant families of Kashan who engaged in silk and brocade trade. As shown in the map the hotel includes two lots. the right spot is the house itself and the left spot is an vacant lot used as car parking.

3.2.3. Architectural features The house of Manouchehri follows a standard module in all houses of Kashan that is the first main rule in the region amongst traditional houses that is minus elevation from street ground. The houses in western part of the city where the region meets higher elevation are considerably much deeper with an unique and systematically practical design named Goudal Baghche (means deep garden).

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Figure 21: plans of current situation of hosue. All plans are provided by Ministry of Culture and revised by author.

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Manouchehri mansion, notwithstanding, is not in that class. It is deepen in courtyard to 5.35m from street level out of southern entrance. The house possess two gates one from south which is shared with neighbors, and one from north that is exclusively for the house and back in days was the main gate since the stable was just after the entrance. The south entrance since it immediately reaches the south min hall and side rooms, it must have been a private entrance for family members or near akin. The courtyard with 432m2 area is the center of a house with total area of 1390m² for building minus courtyard. It is constructed in a wide U shape with rooms in three parts (south, east, and north) and west part is blocked by a high wall.

Figure 22: summer/winter parts division

Concluded from Dr. Amanat's diaries the original shape of the house was a L consisting north and east sides, then the south part is added later. The mansion possesses only one courtyard which is the core of the residence and divides summer and winter accommodations. The minus elevation in courtyard is over 5 meters from the street level. This technique of digging the earth for construction not only provides needed mud for masonry, but also keeps houses in low elevation to not block air circulation in streets. Also by this method the house keeps the inner weather fresher. However, for extreme hot days basement is the only remedy. Summer/winter division is default of central Iranian plateau. High summer temperature and mellow winter forced human to separate its dwelling by

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specific design for responsible for seasonal changes. Today, all this potentials are replaced by heating and cooling technologies.

While typical division of summer/winter accommodations in Kashan houses is placing two different spaces - one for summer and one for winter - in front of each other on a main southwest-northeast axis, Manouchehri mansion displays this equipment in a different way. Originally the eastern part of the house used to play the role of summer accommodation and northern part is on its right place for winter, which means summer and winter

Figure 23: Cistern, photo by author Figure 24: Cistern, photo by Adrien Deste

accommodations used to locate with 90º angle next to each other. The reason for this decision in plan back in days of construction is unclear but systematically it is obvious that the eastern part of the house was and still is completely responsible to serve as summer accommodation. While basement is unavoidable part of summer accommodation in houses in the region, the house has no basement in eastern part. Instead it has a cistern below it that is quite unique and makes the house distinct as the only house in Kashan which owns a private cistern. The fact that the mansion was owned and dwelled by people who were not nobles of their era makes it difficult to research for the reason of this unusual feature.

The summer accommodation is identified by wind-towers and horizontally large main halls and basement. The interesting part of design in this building is the cistern in fact acts like a cooler system from ground to chill out the eastern main hall. The eastern part has two wind- towers that is more than sufficient to chill out the whole part. Wind-towers (see Appendix D) puff breeze and wind into their long tunnel. The longer the chimney is the stronger wind puffs in. Below or near the foot of wind-tower a pond of water is set to clean the stream from dust and make it cool. In days with no wind, these elements act like chimney and puff warm weather out.

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Summer settlements in houses of warm regions are always considerably larger and they are in use for longer than half of a year. Basement floors are specially prepared for this purpose to dwell during day and avoid extreme sunlight. According to size of house and wealth of owners basement are equipped with more rooms and facilities. Some houses even had kitchen in basement. While basement was daytime accommodation, roof top was for night but it was not widespread. Several diaries and autobiographies show how people in past used to sleep on flat roofs to chill out in night and stay away from scorpions, for which Kashan was notorious.

Figure 25: thesummer accommodation view from Figure 26: roof top and flat pavement for making the roof top, photo by author place usable, photo by author

Courtyard in Manouchehri mansion; just like many other inner-courtyard houses in center of Iran; acts like the core and heart of house. Many daily activities happen in courtyard. Washing, cleaning carpets, preparing celeries before cooking, resting, playing, inviting guest, etc. General speaking, courtyard is a common point members of a house gather. Certainly the trend becomes more complicated in large mansions with several private and semi-private courtyards. Ameri mansion with about 13000m2 area owns 8 courtyards. Architecturally, courtyard identifies accessibility and spatial harmony from main part to main part. In Persian architecture spatial hierarchy follows open/semi open/close space transition (Ranjbar, 2002). Courtyard as open space transfers to iwans and other semi-open spaces and then it passes to close spaces which are rooms. This transition between open and semi-open spaces is defined by elevation. (See Appendix A)

Each part of the mansion has direct access to courtyard. North and east parts have access with taromi9 elevated about one meter from ground, but summer part that is constructed later

9 a term in traditional architecture referring to balustrade in literature but it indicates to a elevated terrace form space circulating in from of parts of building and joint them together. In this house it links north and east parts. 39

is not connected to east part. The south and east parts are summer accommodation but considering the area of these two parts it seems east part was still preferred after south part is being constructed. The south part is a square hall with a half balcony shape above it that back in days it was a place for ladies during a party.

In front of the main hall there is a wide iwan. Iwan in Persian architecture is a semi-open space with three sides blocked by other spaces and one side open to vista.

Figure 27: view of iwan and summer accommodation, photo by author

Figure 28: view of lobby, photo taken hotel's Figure 29: view of upper floor of lobby which archives currently gallery, photo by author

Since the summer part of the house was always more in use this façade is always more ornamented with vaults and plaster works. Iwan, main hall, upper half-hall, two side rooms at sides of main hall and two more rooms in upper floor are overall form of summer accommodation. Certainly basement is a part of summer accommodation but basements are prepared to be independent from upper floors. For this purpose ventilation canals, wind

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tower canals, main hall, side rooms and light catcher are mandatory parts of basement floor to provide all comfort for dwellers. South basement of mansion of Manouchehri owns a main hall and one sardab10 and ventilation canals that perform to keep the space dry and fresh.

Figure 30: basement living room after restoration, Figure 31: basement living room before restoration, photo by author photo by author

Figure 32: view of south iwan before restoration, Figure 33: view of lobby from art gallery, photo by photo by author author

Figure 34: a room in the hotel, photo by author Figure 35: a view of bathroom, photo by author

10 Sardab literally means cold water. The side room(s) of basement main hall is names so because of cold air ventilation current in these rooms. 41

The northern hall owns modest façade compared to south side. This is standard style in houses of Kashan where flat wide colorful lace-worked windows are set on a half-cross- planned hall to catch more sunlight and warmth. This systematic opening is called orsi. All side rooms and upper floor rooms of winter accommodation follow the same manner to earn warmth by catching sunlight. Main winter hall has usually high ceiling to reserve more air, by which it is not needed to open windows frequently for refreshing air. Basements in houses of Kashan are designed to gain less sunlight to stay cold, therefore, northern basements are not about living in, but are cellars or depots to reserve food or infrequently used items. The north basement of Manouchehri mansion is considerable smaller than the south side.

Figure 36: orsi window in mansion of Tabatabayi, Figure 37: the pond was in the room which is photo taken from flickr.com currently the shop

The east part, which we discussed to be the summer accommodation in the house before the south part is constructed, follows the same module of summer accommodation designed in south part with five-doored main hall and row of rooms at sides. Instead it has no summer basement and since compared to south side which barely gains sunlight, the east façade sees sun few hour in afternoon, the main hall of this part is equipped by two wind-towers to keep it cool. There was a small pond in one of the rooms to cool wind blowing through wind- towers with water. Water current was directed to the cistern in basement by clay pipes. As it, and the cistern, stayed out of use the pond has been blocked after restoration and today it is hidden beneath floor pavement. The mansion has not much extra spaces but a kitchen in northwest of the house at one corner of courtyard which is the only room in west side, and stable behind the main hall of winter accommodation that has direct access to northern entrance. The stable is turned to kitchen today and the kitchen is in used for carpet weaving workshop.

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Figure 38: views of shop, photo by author Figure 39: views of shop, photo by author

Figure 40: a velvet weaving Figure 41: a view of weavong workshop, photo by author instrument, photo by author

Figure 42: a view of restaurant, photo by author Figure 43: a view of kitchen, photo by author

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After restoration integrity of harmony between spaces of the building is generally reserved unless several changes in spatial divisions that was necessary for turning a house into a hotel. Basement in south part is parted into three separate spaces: one engine room, a large room and a small room. Because of this division ventilation canals are disabled. The cistern has not been in used after restoration. To use it as a space an opening is set beside it which was not exist before. Up to the ground floor11 in eastern part, as mention before, a pond in a side room next to main hall is removed.

Figure 44: the entrance of cistern, photo by Figure 45: bathroom unit, photo by author author

Perhaps the biggest change in building is inside each room where pastou is turned to bathroom. Pastou is mandatory part of small rooms in Iranian houses. A closed tiny space with no window or door where dresses, personal items and mattresses and pillows where kept. It is also a mandatory part of caravanserai units, and travelers can store their personal belongings during their short residence. In the mansion pastous of rooms are turned to bathroom and WC units. All pastous have now ventilation and are equipped with sanitary facilities.

3.2.4. Restoration The restoration project began in 2007 after Ms. Manouchehri bought the mansion, and lasted for four continues years. During this period the basic restitution and diagnosis researches have been implemented and according to that the building is prepared for new function.

11 the ground floor is in fact uplifted with about one meter and it is not specified to Manouchehri mansion, but to all houses in cities of central Iran. 44

According to Dr. Amanat's diaries the mansion after being abandoned by its last dwellers, has been occupied by Afghan immigrants. The dwellers have separated the house into two

Figure 46: an additional lavatory made by Figure 47: refugees made a wall in courtyard to divide refugeesduring their occupation, photo by the house into two houses, photo by author author with a wall they built in the courtyard. There were also additions like toilettes, or walls to make a room smaller, but all these did not harm to the body of the house. After measuring and cleaning the house from leftovers and deteriorated materials, the house went under restoration, which ended in 2011, with collaboration of an architecture firm and local traditional architects. Luckily, the house did not need so much restitution and hard work to return to stabilized structure and decoration, since it was in use in most part of its life even the years before restoration which was hosting Afghan refugees in some parts which were usable.

Being aware of how exactly or in high percent the originality of body structure of a house is, some parts of the house like ceiling and vaults of rooms at the edge of north western part which today is the weaving workshop was totally demolished, so as some parts of basement floor in north face. Of course there is no surprise for iron windows and doors since timber would not survive for long time so most probably the last owners of the house before it is occupied by the refugees had changed it by metal material.

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Figure 48: Original condition of the building before restoration. The basement in winter accommodation in north part of the house was missing. It's added by the author upon its current shape.

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Figure 49: Section A-A and east accommodation

49 Figure 50: Section B-B and west side wall

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Figure 51: Section C-C and cistern and south living room Figure 52: Section D-D and north main hall and rooms of east accommodation

Figure 53: Section E-E and northern living room 51

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Figure 54: Section F-F and view of eastern façade Figure 55: Section G-G and southern hall and basement

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It is sad to say that the house had been suffering more by human than natural deterioration factors or vegetal disturbances. Several signs of making bonfire and sooth on walls of the first floor, destroying a wall to ease circulation without even thinking about the stability of the roof above, making walls to close an open place and some other embarrassing facts have been left when the restoration team entered the house.

Anyway, with too much effort the house's original condition is designed, the material, workers and experts are recalled and the project began. The walls are reconstructed where they have been hurt, the span of the vaults and corridors are measured and vaults designed for them using traditional material of vernacular architecture and both contemporary and traditional techniques to guarantee its stability for long time. Not only restoring the structure and form of the house, the details and ornaments like muqarnas and plaster works are masterly designed with the most possible reliability to traditional benchmarks. Moreover, the iron windows and doors are tossed away and as in its original condition whole openings now have timber doors and windows. The entire wood species used in the house from desks and tables, from beds and cupboards and closets and even doors and windows are all sycamore. This wood is highly capable against deterioration even dampness.

Figure 56: the house before restoration, photo by Figure 57: restoration project began, photo by author author

Figure 58: restoration project began, photo by Figure 59: restoration project began, photo by author author

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Figure 60: restoration project began, photo by Figure 61: restoration project began, photo by author author

Figure 62: restoration project began, photo by Figure 63: restoration project began, photo by author author

Figure 64: restoration project began, photo by Figure 65: restoration project began, photo by author author

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3.2.5. Current function of the mansion As briefly discussed the mansion is prepared for accommodation purpose and named after the new owner of the mansion - Manouchehri. Bearing title "house" in spite of "hotel" it emphasizes on traditional Iranian hospitality, and not merely towards global standards of luxurious hotels. Here in the mansion of Manouchehri - or Manouchehri House - the major goal and main criteria of design is preparing spaces for accommodation units and common spaces. For that design changes the spatial circulation plan in the mansion. The main circulation layout in an Iranian house is defined by courtyard that provides access from a part of house to another. Spatial hierarchy and spatial access in Iranian residential architecture is defined by a step forward order from open space to semi-open space to close space. Courtyard as heart of a house has the main role in division of spaces. The first thing happened in this design is courtyard loses its privacy to common. Courtyard is the most common part of a house where all members of house gather. But after opening to invite public it loses its privacy and becomes common to all guests, though still bears the same privacy for guests in house and not foreigners. For close spaces, hashti and corridor define access from one room to another in one part of house. Hashti also controls corridors and passages. (Ranjbar, 2002)

Figure 66: iwan of south Figure 67: iwan of south accommodation, photo by author accommodation, photo by author

In the mansion of Manouchehri, there are several small hashti and not a big one. The connections of room-hashti-room is shifted to room-hashti-courtyard; that means the access from a room to another which used to be identified by hashti, is blocked for providing privacy for guests, and rooms are now only in connection to courtyard by corridors. Only in

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restaurant and common places hashti is still acting the same function. The hotel rooms are different spaces, many were sedari rooms which used to be side rooms of a main hall. Some are upper floor rooms and one is a basement hall. Therefore, this presents different characteristics and functional capabilities. Among the spaces, as it shows in maps above, southern basement hall and northern main hall are the largest rooms. All upper floor rooms, three rooms in ground floor and one in basement are prepared for guests, while oneinground floor and one in basement plus whole north basement are reception, engine room, WC and laundry. The south main hall is prepared for lobby; a vast room with sofa, a table, and decorative items, which is usually empty. Guests usually prefer to sit at the iwan in front of lobby and watch the courtyard's spectacle. The upper part of the lobby there is an open space like a balcony inside a hall with length half the lobby's length. This space used by an upper floor in which women gather during a crowded party. It is an art gallery nowadays in which several artists exhibit their paintings, drawings or photographs.

The shop in eastern part used to be a part of ceremonial rooms. The room had a small pond from which water was distributed within the mansion, the pond in courtyard and cistern. The small pond is removed. The shop contains a sedari room, a short corridor with a small hashti, and the pond room by which from a stair it goes to upper floor which is a terrace. The shop provides handmade goods including decorative items, dishes, costume, and other handcrafts. The shop is open since 10am to 6pm.

Beside shop, the main hall of eastern part is dedicated for restaurant. Two rooms beside restaurant are ornamented and serve as entrance for restaurant. Beside the main all, the cistern is turned to a cinema hall. North basement which is considerably smaller than south basement is set for laundry room and housekeeping, and WC units. For that walls constructed in WC part to separate unites from each other.

which is an extra space to collect bed, pillows and (پستو)Each room originally has a pastou12 blankets, or whatever is needed in a particular room. For example, a personal room's pastou may contain large chests of dress. After restoration, pastou spaces are turned to bathroom. Pastou is literally an extension in room with separation but no door; usually. This small space is large enough to be a bathroom and WC. A small canal of ventilation in bathroom is placed for vapor and smell.

12 In traditional Iranian house each room has a depot-like space next to it that opens only to room and it is used for storing necessary things for what happens in that room. For example if a room is used for sleeping, the items needed for that like blanket, mattress, and pillow are kept in pastou of the room. Or if a room is personal the owner's belonging is kept in that. Also in caravansarays each unit that pilgrims rent for the time they reside has a pastou at back of the room for their equipments.

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Unlike the guest rooms which are normally a bit smaller than a random hotel room, the winter main hall and summer basement are notably large. The summer basement is a large room with normally six beds and two extra if the guests request. The winter main hall is a large ornamented room dedicated for the mansion's owner when she visits Iran annually. Also, the room is offered to special guests.

The weaving workshop is originally kitchen. Kitchen is always apart from the body of mansion, or locates somewhere in basement. Larger houses like Ameri mansion has several kitchens for different parts of house. The region is historically rich and noble in specific techniques of weaving and tying but unfortunately these arts are partially extinct and some are as poor as barely see few countable customers or lovers. To keep an important part of this art intact, the mansion offered a collaboration with two weaving masters and specified a room to stabilized the workshop. This brought benefits to both. The father and son who are now considered the most expert masters alive in this industry work in the mansion and at the same time they exhibit how velvet and brocade is made and they sell their art pieces; of course taking special requests from some wealthy visitors is unavoidable.

The current kitchen was originally stable for hourses. This room locates in northern entrance of the mansion.

Figure 68: weaving workshop, photo by author Figure 69: a view of lobby, photo by author

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Figure 70: a room in first floor, photo by author Figure 71: a bathroom unit, photo by author

Figure 72: eantrance of cistern, photo by Figure 73: a room, photo by author author

Figure 74: south accommodation and iwan, photo Figure 75: north accommodation and mahtabi, by author photo by author

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Figure 76: a view of lobby from Figure 77: a view of art gallery at Figure 78: a view of cistern and art gallery, photo by author upper floor of lobby, photo by cinema saloon, photo by author author

Figure 79: corridor in first floor, Figure 80: mahtabi and winter Figure 81: ceiling of a hashti in photo by author accommodation, photo by author north entrance, photo by author

Figure 82: a room, photo by author Figure 83: a room, photo by author

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3.2.6. Surveying What comes below is the raw information about the compatibility, technical perfection, psychological welfare, and capability of design of the mansion of Manouchehri collected by surveying guests and staff of the hotel. This surveying is resulted by efforts in two days in October 2014 in my third visit of the house. In this surveying different groups of guests (though native or foreigner) and house's staff (who occupy room for their career) have been asked. The aim of questioning is to extract the statues of three elements of building performance: technical elements, functional elements, and psychological elements. The questions of each category are marked and separated here in the final edit but the order of questions is not the same as on paper. The hierarchy of the questions is arranged according to necessity of question to not affect the responses. All the questions aim to emerge the effective role of design on occupant and emerge its role on conservation. Beside these questions there are some feedback and supportive general questions such as price of rooms, or how long a guest mind to stay, etc. These questions help to realize some facts related to that remains hidden in other questions regarding to the three elements. The total number of guest who participated in surveying is 17 person.

3.2.6.1. General questions The aim of general question varies. Somewhere it helps to understand the level of satisfactory, directly; like questions about staff behavior or food quality. Also information about user's satisfactory about food can bring precious point in decision making about intangible part of house, or whether the restaurant is successful or not. And some questions such as "How do you feel now?" after questioning about temperature and heat in rooms, helps to understand the user responses to the questions while s/he is in normal condition her/himself. The following is the general questions:

How long would you mind to stay in the hotel? Most of tourists visit the city only for one of two days simply because a considerable part of foreign tourists and a part of native tourists travel via tour agencies, and travel agendas do not offer Kashan for longer than two days. The result, bring fact that the city in spite of intensive focus on tourism sector has not grown the capability to host tourists for more than two days. 1 day 12 2 days 5

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100

80 70.6

60 1 40 29.4 2 20

0

Had you ever visited an Iranian traditional residential building before you come to this house? The aim of the actual question is to unveil the guests' pre-knowledge about Iranian traditional house and if they know how traditional Iranian lifestyle is. In a brief surveying most part of native guests and one of foreigners knew Iranian house. But when I asked them about the details of traditional lifestyle the answers where almost nonsense. This reveals though Iranian vernacular architecture is preserved, its spirituality has been forgotten. Yes 8 no 9

100

80 52.9 60 47.1 Yes 40 No

20

0

Had you heard/seen/read about traditional hotel/houses before you prefer to staying in this hotel? By a tour agency 8 By a friend 5 By internet 4

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100 By a tour 80 agency 60 47.1 By a friend 29.4 40 23.5 20 By internet 0

How do you find the rooms prices? Room price is considered an important fact of prejudge and misevaluation of factual state of a hotel. Normal 13 Pricy 4

100 76.5 80 60 Normal

40 23.5 Pricy 20 0

How are house’s foods? Food quality is an important factor in user's satisfactory. An important aspect of a traditional hotel is exposing the cultural and intangible values of place. Food is a cornerstone. Although most of modern hotels usually do not offer food, or offer low quality, the house's guests are all satisfied by the food and restaurant.

How is waiters’ behavior and reception’s behavior? Both complete satisfactory. Staff behavior, psychologically, can critically uprise or devalue credits from a hotel depending on behavior.

Why did you prefer to stay in a traditional hotel over a new hotel? Specifically after giving points and hints of how to look at a house to evaluate it during surveying, their responses is more detailed and clear:

"It is cozy, It is traditional, I care about cultures, It is a new look, I feel being in a hotel, For curiosity, I can see ordinary hotel everywhere, It is charming, etc." 64

3.2.6.2. Functional questions Functional (physical) elements - which concern on functionality and design - in this building focus on compatibility of design of current function to original concept of building. Questions like room dimension (although it is not concerning with the design of the building back in times) first obtain the user's satisfactory, and his or her expectations from a traditional hotel where no interventions in body of building is possible.

Are you satisfied with the dimensions of your room? A room may be enough for three people but not enough for three person with their belongings. Fair 13 Large 4

100 76.5 Fair 23.5 Large 0

Do you have enough space or closet to place your personal belongings? Since the dimensions of the rooms are fix and not designed by architects responsible for restoration, one thing that is matter of concern is that there is no enough place to install closets and drawers as in modern hotels, first because of room unscalability, and original concept of room in Iranian house does not suggest furniture or belongings as in modern lifestyle.

I have enough closet space 5

I fit my things but it is not convenient 12

100 I have anough 70.6 closet space 50 29.4 I fit my things but it is not 0 convenient

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Did you displace any of the furniture such as bed, desk, mirror, etc? One aspect that greatly affects Iranian vernacular architecture is avoiding to use space larger than needed. By this rule each room of a house has a standard proportion regarding to the volume and traffic of use. Therefore, a small room in the first floor of a house cannot be bigger than one if first floor with the same function. For that, most of the rooms of the hotel are not that spacious to contain several furniture. No one has displaced a furniture for comfort.

Do you think the facilities placed in rooms are enough? Mirror, chair, desk, fridge, books, bed, etc. Instead of bed, fridge, desk, a big mirror, and chairs, there are some other items as painting (which differ from room to room), books (normally to emphasize home atmosphere), etc. which are quite adequate and feedbacks are hundred percent positive.

How do you describe the dimensions of WC/bathroom? Each room has its own WC/bathroom. Originally, each room had its own depot space which is turned to WC/bath, for that, happily, the sanitary space is large enough to get all positive rates.

To talk about natural day light, how do you describe it? Iranian houses usually have two parts: one for summer accommodation and one for winter accommodation to confront harsh climatic condition. But an Iranian traditional hotel cannot follow the same seasonal concept and all the rooms are used in touristic season. The summer part of the house contrary to the winter part, is almost poor in sunlight, that means winter part gets much sunlight. As expected the guests in winter part complain about too much sunlight and four guests in a basement room of summer part suffered the opposite since their room has not a window to catch light and is so cold. Too much sunshine 2 Normal, not disturbing 11 Few sunlight, almost dark 4

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100

80 Too much 64.7 sunshine 60 Normal, not 40 disturbing 23.5 Few sunlight, 20 11.8 almost dark 0

How is natural air circulation in your room? Among the guests, who settle in winter part complain about extreme heat. Those who settle in summer part basement complain about natural air because the room has no window so they shall open the room door once a while to have air circulated.

It is good, only needs to open one window 11 Have to open all windows 2 No circulation unless opening all the doors and windows 4

100 It is good, only 80 needs to open 64.7 one window 60

40 Have to open all 23.5 windows 20 11.8

0

Do the smells emerged from the items in the room such as rugs, furniture, wood, curtains, etc. disturb? Clay has specific smell. The smell of clay can be softly agitating for its resemblance to smell of dust. Even after restoration some materials can smell so punchy. Normal, not disturbing 1 No smell at all 16

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100 94.1 80 Normal not 60 disturbing 40 No smell

20 5.9 0

How is reception room dimension? The reception room locates in the south-west part of the house. Too small and no enough furniture 3 Fair but could be wider 14

100 82.4 80 Too small and no enough 60 forniture 40 Fair but could 17.6 be wider 20 0

The following three questions focus on the value of parking lot through guests' point of view. It discusses distance from hotel, security, and dimension. The house has not a parking lot in its own boundaries. Therefore, they have bought a lot at the edge of the same block the hotel is located in, and use it as parking. The parking lot is devised by camera and electronic doors. Parking distance to hotel I don't use car 12 Normal 5

Parking security I don't use car 12 Secure 5

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Parking dimensions I don't use car 12 Small 4 Good 1

3.2.6.3. Technical questions Technical elements of a building are those concerning with installations and technical equipments such as cooling systems, fire alarms and fire extinguishers, etc. The aim of this level of questions is, first, to qualify the elements from users' point of view, and to evaluate users' satisfactory upon quality of technical elements. Secondly, since hotel rooms are occupied, not all the technical elements can be measured unless by users. Therefore, this phase identifies both level of satisfactory of users upon facilities, and true condition of building's physical health.

How do you describe the ventilation in your WC and bathroom? A matter of concern in old buildings constructed by mud-brick, is sanitary spaces. WCs have typical ventilation fan that beside extreme dry weather is quite enough to keep moist off the unit. As guests responded, moist and vapor is blown away in just a minute.

How do you describe heating/cooling system? Temperature is a critical factor is Kashan as it may exceed to the uttermost limit of toleration human can live in summer. It has records over 50°c in summer with lowest moisture that makes it immensely intolerable for dwelling. Therefore, cooling system is a serious equipment in Kashan specially in warm and hot seasons. It is great 4 It is good but I feel warm sometimes 11 It cannot chill out my room 1 So cold because of chiller 1

100 It is great 80 64.7 60 40 23.5 It is good but I feel warm 20 5.95.9 sometimes 0

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How do you describe the cooling system when you sleep in your room? During night and when guests are sleeping the reserved heat of day can be intensively harmful and irritating. Personally I experience the suffocating heat of July two nights in the hotel. It is literally intolerable in winter part. Although we asked to changed our room the second room which was not in summer part but in ground floor and in shadow most time of the day, was not that expectedly comfortable. Therefore, the cooling system during nighttime is seriously important part of hospitality. It is great, not problem 2 It is fair and could be better 12 I sweat a lot 2 So cold because of chiller 1

100

80 70.6 It is great, not problem 60

40 It is fair and could be better 11.8 11.8 20 5.9 0

How do you feel right now? Sometimes it is experienced upon surveying examples that questionee may overrate or underrate a physical comfort based on his/her distinctive physical feelings. Many times people who rate for extreme cold or extreme warm are believed to feel cold or warm in general and normal conditions. For that I asked them how they feel at the time of surveying when each of the were sitting in comfortable shade and relaxing position. Upon surveying, all the questionee's replies were normal.

How do you evaluate the dampness in your room? There is no surprise that all the feedback about dampness in room and in sanitary places are negative. Kashan is potentially an extremely arid region. A hand-washed shirt dries immediately in half an hour in middle of June.

How do you describe electrical lighting?

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Comparing to daylight, I asked guests to find their opinion about electric lighting which all pointed positive. Lightings in rooms are mellow, not as we are accustomed to in our own homes but not disturbingly low.

Do you have any problem with the noises coming from neighbor rooms? Apparently the thick walls of the building left no place to complain about noises coming from next rooms. Clay and hay is a traditional ordinary plaster in Iranian vernacular architecture and this material is capable against noise distribution.

How about the noises coming from the courtyard? Evening is the time all the guests gather into hotel, eat dinner in restaurant and depending on how tired they are, they continue being in courtyard or go to their rooms. The conversations between those remaining in courtyard can disturb those resting in bed. Sometimes conversations last till midnight. Vague and disturbing sometimes 10 Weak not disturbing 7

100 80 Vague and 58.8 disturbing 60 sometimes 41.2 40 Weak not disturbing 20 0

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3.2.6.4. Behavioral questions Behavioral elements of building are the final aim of surveying. Both physical and technical elements of building are questioned to emerge the reality of their and the building's impact on users. Questions about safety, security, feel belonging to place, use of courtyard, use of common spaces, etc. lead to emerge the facts of psychological impact of design and function.

Do you feel safe to leave your personal belongings and ID cards in the room while you are out? What is interesting is the sense of trust the house delivers. Unlike modern hotels which provide safe box with personal combination in rooms, Manouchehri hotel does not provide any. Neither the doors of the hotel rooms are not that strong to enhance the sense of trust. Yet the answers are in contrary to expectations with hundred percent positive answers.

Do you use courtyard? How long do you spend in the courtyard daily? What do you do when you are in courtyard? The minimum use of courtyard measured one hour and the maximum time is two hours, since guests prefer to try everything in their limited time of visiting Kashan. During hours I was surveying guests before they go to their room at night and after they served their breakfast in morning I found that the courtyard is not only used by the guests but also by other group of people coming from outside. Some tourists come to sit and drink something in courtyard and then go to their own hotels. One hour 3 Two hours 14

100 82.4 80 60 One hour 40 Two hours 17.6 20 0

Do you like to join other people gathering in the courtyard?

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What is significant about courtyard relies on the result of the question in first part where four members of different guest groups indicated they like to be alone in courtyard. What I found interesting is that all the guests feel like to be in their own home. Apparently the question is not about the preferences of any of the individual, but it is about how the impact of space is on them. Alone 4 My own partners 13

100 76.5 80 Alone 60 40 23.5 My own partners 20 0

Do you prefer to serve lunch and dinner in the hotel or to go out in a restaurant? In hotel Manouchehri food is a very important fact. Beside servicing, it has cultural potential as long as they serve traditional foods. All guests like the house's foods. It gives much sense of comfort when the food is as good as place. How many times did you use the lobby? Although lobby of the house has the best vista from summer main hall, it is barely used by guests. Some of them even did not considered it and did not walk in, and some only sat for few minutes to complete their reservation and only used it once. Those who has not recognize it neither did not recognize the art gallery which is on upper floor of the lobby. I have not recognized it 2 Once 15

100 88.2 80

60 I have not … 40 Once 20 11.8 0

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How many times did you visit the art gallery? The upper floor - better to say half floor because it is like a balcony in the house - has one room and a corridor shape space which is used as art gallery where every once a while an artist exhibits. In fact it is coincidentally appropriate for art gallery because no other activity would fit the dimensions of the space, nevertheless, guests who has not visited the lobby definitely did not see the gallery. Some visited the gallery but no one visited at the beginning. The gallery is visited only during night before or after dinner in leisure time. Only two persons visited it twice. I have not recognized it 2 No I didn't 7 Once 6 Often (more than once) 2

100 I have not recognized it 80 No I didn't 60 41.2 35.3 40 Once

20 11.8 11.8 Often 0

How many times did you visit carpet weaving workshop? The velvet weaving workshop is an interesting point which all the guest at least visit it once; of course timing is matter. The father and son start their work since 9 am until 5 pm instead of the time they go to mosque for pray and lunch at noon. Each guest spends about half an hour. In this period the masters show techniques of weaving, talk about their background and Kashan's specific weaving methods.

How many times did you visit the shop? The shop offers handmade and artistic handcrafts, premium quality and a bit high price in some cases. Many people do not find time to visit it because the shop closes around 5pm when guests . No 10 Once 7

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100 80 58.8 60 No 41.2 40 Once 20 0

Have you visited cinema? The cinema locates beneath restaurant and shop. It used to be a cistern back in days with no natural light to stay cold. It is turned to cinema but I personally have not seen it active. Some guests visit it only by curiosity with at most lasts one minute. Yes 5 No 12

100 80 70.6 60 Yes 40 29.4 No 20 0

The following four questions are comparative feeling feedback to discover a base for psychological effect of the building on guests. To deliver the real identity of a traditional house it is important for the guests to feel like being in their own home,. Certainly, the courtyard plays a big role in this trend. All the participants' reply to "do you feel like in your own home?" is positive.

Feel privacy Yes I have privacy 16 It is normal but not disturbing 1

Feel classy It is luxurious 16

It is normal 1

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Feel comfortable It is so comfortable 15 It is normal 2

1. For the next time visiting Kashan, do you book in a traditional house again or prefer to go to a new hotel?

This question is asked at the beginning of interviews to capture their pure excitement. Replying this question, 14 guests replied "most probably", 3 of them replied "I will search if I find any better ]traditional[ house I would go there otherwise I will come here again".

2. How did you find your room at the first glance? To realize unbiased emotions of guests about the house I asked their feelings about their first glance. The question has been answered by simple positive emotional adjectives: mesmerizing, charming, beautiful, etc.

3. What in the house attracts your attention the most, negative or positive? Answers to this question brought several subjective and uncertain information, but it is useful to know which part of house attracts the most. Among the answers most of guest indicated to weaving workshop, two persons indicated to courtyard and one person to lights in nighttime.

3.2.7. Surveying the staff who occupy a room

Sex? Female 1 Male 3

What is your position? Security 2 Reception 2

How long have you been working at this position? Between 3 to 6 years 3 More than 6 years 1

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100 75 80 Between 3 to 60 6 years

40 25 More than 6 years 20 0

Had you ever worked in any other hotel before you come to the house? None of the four participants have been worked in any hotel before they come to the house.

Do you stay in the house at night or you leave it? No 2 Sometimes if needed 2

100 80 No 60 50 50 40 Sometimes if needed 20 0

How is distance between the house and your home? All four participants leave in the neighborhood or a fit away but they indicate that it is near from their home to the house.

How is distance between the house and city center? Again the same response, it is near.

Have you ever heard any positive or negative comments about the house?

I've heard positive comments 3 I've not heard any comment yet 1

Do you use your room alone or shared with others?

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They all share their rooms.

How many people do you share your room with? Shared with 1 2 2 People 2

How long ago have you received your room? Since I work here 2 About 1 year 2

Do you stay in the house or leave after your shift is over? I leave in case there is no task to do 3 I leave immediately 1

Have you displace any furniture in your room? All displaced some furniture but not too much change happened in their rooms. How is your room's dimension? All said it is normal, not large nor smell.

Do you have enough closet to put your personal belonging? I can hardly put my belongings 1 I do not have any closet 3

100 75 80 I can hardly put 60 my belongings I do not have 40 25 any closet 20 0

Have you displace any furniture in your room? It is open, no problem 1 It is hard to move easily when we are more than one 3

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100 It is open, no 75 80 problem

60

40 It is hard to 25 move easily 20 when we are more than one 0

How is cooling system in your room? All indicate it is good.

How is room temperature in warn season? All said it is good if no door is open.

How is room temperature while sudden shift of climate happens? Doesn't change 2 Slightly changes 2

How is temperature now? All rated it "normal".

How disturbing are the noised coming from courtyard and corridor? Too loud and disturbing 2 Sometimes disturbing 2

100 80 Too loud and 60 50 50 disturbing 40 Sometimes disturbing 20 0

How is natural daylight in your room? It is always too much 2 Some hours a day it is high 2

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100

80 Too much 64.7 sunshine 60 Normal, not 40 disturbing 23.5 Few sunlight, 20 11.8 almost dark 0

How is electrical light in your room? "It is low from one source" is the common response to the actual question.

How is air circulation in your room? Very good 2 Normal, must open a window or door 2

Do the smells emerged from items in the room such as rugs, furniture, curtain, etc. disturb? No smell at all 3 Slightly smelly but not disturbing 1

100 75 80 No smell at all 60

40 25 Slightly smelly but not 20 disturbing 0

How is condition of moisture in your room? No moisture 2 Slightly moist and temporary 2

80

100 80 No moisture 60 50 50 40 Slightly moist and temporary 20 0

How often do you use courtyard during a day? About 1 hour 0 More than 1 hour 1

100 75 80 About 1 hour 60 40 25 More than 1 20 hour 0

How often do you use the courtyard during touristic season? Less than I do in non touristic time 2 Not at all 2

100 80 Less than I do in non 60 50 50 touristic time 40 Not at all 20 0

Do you think the rooms are enough for a hotel? All staff think the hotel needs more rooms.

Have you brought any personal belonging such as a personal painting picture, picture of a friend or family member or general whatever which is personally yours, to your room?

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All votes "nothing".

How much do you feel belonging to here? (from intense positive to intense negative) All votes "I feel belonging to here".

Do you feel secured? (from intense positive to intense negative) Yes, I fell 3 Somehow 1

Do you feel privacy? (from intense positive to intense negative) I feel privacy completely 2 Partially, not completely 1 No I do not feel 1

100 I feel privacy 80 completely 60 50 Partially bot 40 25 25 completely 20 No I do not feel 0

Do you feel comfortable? (from intense positive to intense negative) I feel comfortable 2 Normal 2

100

80 I feel 60 50 50 comfortable 40 Normal

20

0

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3.3. The house of Boroujerdi The mansion of Boroujerdi is one of the most valuable heritages in Kashan and in Iran for its historical background and architectural assets. The mansion used to belong a noble merchant family of Kashan, Natanzi family (AKA Boroujerdi) whose trade was carpets and fruit from Boroujerd13. The owner of Boroujerdi mansion was Haj Hassan Natanzi. Upon his order the house is built in 1858 by famous architect of the time, Maryam-Ali Kashi (who built famous buildings such as the house of Tabatabayi and Amin od’Dwlah timche in the bazaar). It is believed that total construction of the house and additional buildings lasted for about 18 years. (archives of national library)

Figure 84: A complete perspective view of the house including all sections appropriated by the office of Culture and Tourism Organization. The main house, the bigger courtyard or eastern courtyard, and the small house with its courtyard in front. All plans andsetions are provided by the Ministry of Culture

Years after death of the last member of the family, the house is appropriated by the Ministry of Culture in June 1975, although donated or captured parts by the ministry is not the whole building, it is parted by the heirs of the family. The Ministry of Culture took responsibility for restoration projects which lasted several years, however the house was not in bad condition in structure. After restoration the house was open to public visit that brings a small economic source for the ministry.

13 A city in west of Iran 83

3.3.1. Location

Figure 85: location of the house of Boroujerdi, taken from Google satelite

The house of Boroujerdi is located in Sultan Amir Ahmad district in Alavi street in the center of the city of Kashan in a neighborhood which is occupied by several similar mansions, mosque and bath in relative distance to bazaar of Kashan.

3.3.2. Architectural features The mansion has one entrance in use. Back in days when it was a colony of settlements there were other entrances but today they are blocked. The main entrance locates in the north part of the house where path comes through a division space from which it divides into two; one to the main house and one to a smaller courtyard which is in used as office today. The main house is called andarooni; means privacy. It indicates that no foreigner or male would enter unless the family members. This is an aspect of introvert design in which the priority is defined by proximity to main courtyard.

The entire building is constructed in a lot with 1700 m² area, and area of the mansion is approximately 3000 m². The plan layout is almost long rectangular which has long format towards northeast-southwest axis with slight angle sliding tending to north. The direction on which the main axis of mansion is placed is the same to that in Manouchehri mansion. This northeast-southwest direction is called Rūn-e Rāste (see Appendix A) on which most buildings in cities in central areas of Iran has been built to take the most possible benefit of winds and sunlight and gain better air circulation.

84

Figure 86: plan of groud floor of the house including all parts occupied by the office of Ministry of Culture. The plan is provided by the house and it has only ground floor. No overall plan for basement and first floors is provided.

85

86

Figure 87: basement and first floor of the house. The plan is provided by the office and it shows only the main house.

87

88

Figure 88: sections

89

90

The entrance of the house has a two winged door, short and modest as expected from Iranian houses. The entrance façade of the house is ornamented with plaster-work of Qajar style and moqarnas; simply and unpainted. The entrance space is designed with six sitting or resting niches. This niche element on entrance of houses and public buildings is so commonplace in central Iran and it provides a place for old people to rest for a while or for clients or visitors who come for informal short sessions with the house owner.

From the entrance visitor walks in an octagonal-planned space; it is called hashti which function is to define the paths through each part of the house, and to provide a short-time meeting space.

Figure 89: entrance of the house, photo by author Figure 90: entrance of the house, photo by author From hashti the paths are shared in two ways: one way goes to the main house which is open to public and partially occupied with office, the right side goes to a smaller house which is entirely occupied with the office. This part has also a tiny courtyard. From the direct path through a serpentine corridor with slight slope down it goes to the private part of the mansion which is open to public for tourists and back in days used to be occupied by the members of the family and a part of it used to be served for ceremonial affairs and parties. Instead of some rooms in the main hall, most of this part is left free of furniture and installations to provide easier circulation for visitors. The mansion has an elongated courtyard with a long rectangular pond in the middle and two lanes of gardens at the long sides of the pond. The courtyard is narrower and longer than that in mansion of Manouchehri, and for solving visual effect of this oblong form the gardens are set in two symmetric rows.

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Since courtyard is heart of house in Persian architecture, it is visible how large the family was and how crowded the courtyard used to be. This courtyard rows north and south part accommodations and a row of rooms at east side and a rivaq along west façade.

Figure 91: the serpentine corridor Figure 92: the courtyard of the part occupied by the goes to the private part, photo by office, photo by author author

Summer/winter division in Boroujerdi mansion is way complex compared to mansion of Manouchehri and it is simply because of the largeness of family. As discussed, summer accommodation is much bolder than winter part as the region is usually in high temperature. For that the mansion's summer accommodation, though in basement or upper floors, contains

Figure 93: courtyard view and summer accommodation, photo by author

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more spaces and occupies larger area. The summer accommodation which is usually composed of a vast iwan and a main hall and several rooms at its sides, it formed by a repeat in the plan layout with an iwan, a large room before main hall, and beside the large room two large side rooms.

Figure 94: The positioning of rooms and main hall in south part of the mansion, keeps the main hall far from the iwan and by this, far from summer heat. The large room between the main hall and the iwan acts like a buffer zone and blocks heat.

Being away from iwan keeps the mail hall dark. To provide light in main hall architect constructed a light catching element on roof that is specific to the mansion of Boroujerdi and signifies like a landmark. The large middle room before the main hall has high ceiling to cage warm air and block its passage through the main hall. The surprisingly large side rooms of this space show the spatial harmony and hierarchy is capable for more appropriate functionality. This module is repeated in first floor and basement as well. This makes the

Figure 95: a wind tower on south part Figure 96: the unique light catcher element of of the mansion, photo by author themansion of Boroujerdi which symbolizes Kashan, photo by author

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mansion a higher class structure compared to mansion of Manouchehri which is obviously constructed with less famous and less talented architects. The south accommodation has two wind-towers that continue to basement where it reaches wind-tower room to meet cold water canal and blending it with wind provide fresh breeze.

While the summer accommodation of the mansion occupies larger area and owns more flamboyant ornamentation and paintings, the winter accommodation stays humble and smell. The winter part's spatial harmony is not different to mainstream style of this order in Kashan houses. A winter accommodation is composed of a semi-open space in front a five-doored main hall named mahtabi which is an iwan with no ceiling: closed from three sides and open from front and top. Mahtab means moonlight. This space which is higher than courtyard and

Figure 97: The side rooms which usually locate beside main hall are located before it beside Mahtabi. The main hall has also only one access. located like a wide platform in front of winter accommodation is for summer nights to rest and lie on it and watch moon before sleep. Because the access comes through north side to courtyard the plan format for north part of the house is narrower than usual. This made architect to make an exception in plan and set side rooms of main hall in different position.

The east façade of the mansion contains a row of small rooms behind a rivaq and at the west side another rivaq joints north and south accommodations. These rivaqs provide safe and shady passage from one part to another. Beside the main house, the office occupied another part which used to be a part of a colony; a smaller house with a tiny courtyard that has direct access to the main courtyard. This part does not follow standards of design of summer/winter accommodation. A hall in this part has an interesting design. It is both summer and winter 94

accommodations! The hall has wide opening through south and another opening to north. A tiny courtyard, a small pond, several small rooms, and proximity to kitchen, all these give the clue that this part could probably servants' residence. Behind the main winter hall and in juxtaposition with rooms of the small house there is a single wind-tower that opens to small courtyard where beneath the foot of tower a small pond keeps blowing wind cold (see Appendix D).

Figure 98: west facade is a alongated rivaq Figure 99: view of south accommodation and wind towers, from summer accommodation to opposite side, photo by author photo by author

Figure 111: ornaments of dome of light Figure 111: air ventilation elements of roof, chathing element, photo by author photo by author

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Figure 112: the original names of rooms

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3.3.3. Current function The main house has been being used since restoration ended. The aim of the renewal was to exhibit the house with least intervention to picture traditional Iranian house and housing, therefore to maintain the originality of place and avoiding much intervention it has not been adapted to new function properly. The building has been used the way it is unless few small changes in some parts. For this incapability the office installs several devices and uses methods to make the building more usable for work. For its occupation the office sets several rooms to bureau and leaves the rest unused for public visit.

Figure 111: The complete plan of what the office occupies shows where the office rooms are located in red and blue mask. The color different marks for difference for density of use. The white parts are unoccupied. The office use the building with all spaces needed for a workplace: working rooms, archives, conference room, security, WC, praying room, kitchen, etc. and to provide comfort they installed or used portable electronic conditioning equipment and office machines. Security, praying room and a room of the office locate in south part in the main house. And services, archive, head's office, toilettes, kitchen and other civil servants' room are in the small house. The workload and density and frequency of work is so higher in the main hall of the small house where 10 people work. Manager, archives, and all the staff instead of few experts and security work in the small house. Though the office concerns with restoration and conservation of historical buildings, physical condition of the building is not what we expect. They restricted northern and western basements and also all first floors. The first floor of north and west part is used as depot for trashed and old office equipments like desks, air conditioners, etc.

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Figure 104: a room occupied by Figure 105: living room of the Figure 106: a room in south part civil servants in summer small house where most of civul dedicated for praying room, photo accommodation of the main house servants work, photo by author by author

Figure 107: a view of living room of the small house where most Figure 108: archive room, photo by of civul servants work, photo by author author

Figure 109: a part of courtyard of the small house Figure 110: ticket cabin at entracne

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Figure 111: an office room, photo by author Figure 112: praying room, photo by author

Figure 111: a view of living room of the small house, Figure 114: an office room, photo by author photo by author

Figure 115: the office dedicates a pert of house for Figure 116: an office room, windows are covered by selling handcrafts, photo by author nylon sheets, photo by author

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Figure 117: stairs of first floor used as Figure 118: first floor rooms in the main depot, photo by author house are used as depot for wasted office equipment, photo by author

Figure 119: plaster art in summer accommodation, Figure 120: tourists in summer accommodation's photo by author main hall, photo by author

Figure 121: traditional outfit show off in the Figure 122: the main hall of summer house, photo by author accommodation, photo by author

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3.3.4. Surveying What comes next is the information gathered surveying the office servants of mansion of Boroujerdi. The office of cultural heritage and tourism has experts who work out of office at sites or projects, therefore, not all the civil servants could join the surveying. Ten person from the office participated in the task. This questioning lasted around five hours. In overall I spend two days for this house to take pictures, surveying and to take the plans and descriptions. As like mansion of Manouchehri, these questions are in three phase and the priority of questions is not upon this three phases. The hierarchy of the questions is arranged according to necessity of question to not affect the answers. All the questions aim to emerge the effective role of design on occupant and emerge its role on conservation. Beside these questions there are some feedback and supportive general questions such as price of rooms, or how long a guest mind to stay, etc. These questions help to realize some facts that are hidden within the context of questions. Again as in surveying mansion of Manouchehri, there are four range of questions: general questions, physical questions, functional questions, and behavioral questions.

3.3.4.1. General questions What is your position? Among the participants, 6 civil servants who work on documents and profiles, three restoration and conservation experts, and one person working in archive section joined the surveying. Archive 1 Restoration Expert 3 Civil Servant 6

How long have you been in this position? It is stated that the least job experience in the office is 2 years for only one person. One person has more than 5 years work experience. And the rest are up to 5 years. 2-3 Years 1 4-5 Years 8 Over 5 Years 1

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100 80 80 60 2-3 Years 40 4-5 Years 20 10 10 Over 5 Years 0 Occupation_duration

How long a day do you work in your room? Working hours of the office it 8am to 2pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Whole my work hours 3 Maybe half, less or more 7

80 70 60 Whole my 40 30 work hours 20 Maybe half, less or more 0 How_long_work_in_room

Had you worked in another building before you come to this office? Among the total ten questionee, seven had worked in another building before they start working in the office. Yes 7 No 3

80 70 60 40 30 Yes 20 No 0 Worked_in_other_building_before_coming_here

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3.3.4.2. Functional questions Questions about functional elements of building are those concerning with criteria of design and functionality. Physical elements in this building focus on compatibility of design of current function to original concept of building. Questions like room dimension (although it is not concerning with the design of the building back in times) first obtain the user's satisfactory, and his or her expectations from a traditional hotel where no interventions in body of building is possible.

How do you describe your room dimensions? Unfavorably Large 6 Favorably Large 2 Normal 1 Small but favorable 1

80 60 Unfavorably 60 Large 40 Favorably 20 Large 20 10 10 Normal 0 Room_dimension

Do you have enough room for your furniture? The civil servants mostly complain about lack of place for furniture in their workplace. This certainly corresponds to inferior quality of spatial circulation. Yes 1 So so 2 No 7

80 70 60 Yes 40 20 So So 20 10 No 0 Enough_room_for_furniture

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You have enough room for your belongings? Yes 3 So so 7

80 70 60 40 30 Yes 20 So So 0 Enough_room_for_belongings

Have you ever replace or displace furniture in your room? Seasonally, I replace the items 4 No, I don't replace anything at all 6

80 No, I don't 60 replace 60 40 anything at 40 all

20 Seasonally, I replace the 0 items Replace-furniture

3.3.4.3. Technical questions Technical elements of a building are those concerning with installations and technical equipments such as cooling systems, fire alarms and fire extinguishers, noise-proof claddings, etc. The aim of this level of questions is, first, to qualify the elements from users' point of view, and to evaluate users' satisfactory by considering satisfactory level upon quality of technical elements. Secondly, since hotel rooms are occupied not all the technical elements can be measure unless by users. Therefore, this phase identifies both level of satisfactory of users upon facilities, and true condition of building technical health.

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How do you describe spatial circulation in your room? Good, enough space to move 3 Normal, could be better 7

80 70 60 Good, 40 30 enough 20 space to move 0 Spatial_circulation

How do you describe natural light in your room? Good 7 Normal, dark in cloudy days 1 Dark 2

80 70 Good 60 40 20 20 10 Normal, 0 dark in Natural_light cloudy days

How do you describe electric light in your room? Favorable 4 Normal 6

80 60 60 40 40 Favorable

20 Normal

0 Electric_light

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How is natural light reflex in your room? No reflex at all 2 Low reflex, not disturbing 8

100 80 No reflex at all 50 20 Low reflex, not 0 disturbing Natural_light_reflex

How is your room temperature in warm season? All ten participants rated "hot but tolerable".

How is your room temperature in cold season? All participants rated "a little cold".

3.3.4.4. Behavioral elements Behavioral elements of building are the final aim of surveying. Both physical and technical elements of building are questioned to emerge the reality of their and the building's impact on users. Questions about safety, security, feel belonging to place, use of courtyard, use of common spaces, etc. lead to emerge the facts of psychological impact of design and functionality.

How do you feel about your workplace? Good 8 Neutral 2

100 80 80 60 Good 40 20 Neutral 20 0 How_do_you_feel_about_your_workplace

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How do you feel about traditional work environment? It's good 9 Doesn't differ 1

100 90 80 It's good 60 40 Doesn't 20 10 differ 0 Traditional_work_environment

Do you think working in traditional workspace affects on work quality? It's better 9 Doesn't differ 1

100 90 80 It's better 60 40 Doesn't 20 10 differ 0 Effect_on_work_quality

Do you think working in traditional workspace affects collaboration between employee? Increases it 9 Doesn't differ 1

100 90 80 60 Increases it 40 Doesn't differ 20 10 0 Effect_on_collaboration_between_employee

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Do you feel belonging to here? I feel so much belonging to here 6 Partially, I rather concern 4

80 60 60 I feel so much 40 belonging to 40 here Partially, I 20 rather 0 concern Belonging_to_here

Is there any other room you like to move to? Yes, there is another room which I prefer to move there 6 No, I love this place 4

80 60 60 Yes, there is 40 40 another room which I 20 prefer to move there 0 Another_room

Do noises coming from neighbor rooms disturb? Not at all 6 A little annoying 4

80 60 60 40 Not at all 40 A little 20 annoying

0 Neighbor_room_noise

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How do you describe acoustic in your room? Few, sometimes annoying 4 Too much echoes 6

80 60 Few, 60 40 sometimes 40 annoying 20 Too much echoes 0 Acoustic

Do your colleagues' noises disturb? Not at all 1 A little, sometimes annoying 3 Too much and disturbing 6

80 60 Not at all 60

40 30 A little, sometimes annoying 20 10 Too much and 0 disturbing Colleagues_noises

How do you describe cooling system in your room? Could be better 3 Insufficient 7

80 70

60 Could be 40 30 better 20 Insufficient 0 Cooling_system

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How is room's temperature during a sudden change in weather? A bit differs 3 Immediately changes 7

80 70 60 A bit differs 40 30 20 Immediately 0 changes Sudden_change_in_temperature

How is temperature now? All ten participants rated "warm" for this question.

Do you use only cooling system or you open doors and windows to cool the room? All ten civil servants rated "only cooling devices" to this question.

Does the smell of furniture disturb? They all replied "I don’t get disturbing smell".

How do you describe moisture in your room? While Kashan is extremely arid region, there were no surprise to get "no dampness at all" to this question. How is WC condition? Normal, but not so good sometimes 5 Too bad 5

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60 50 50 Normal, but 40 not so good sometimes 20 Too bad 0 WC_condition

How much space of your room do you use? Partially, about half 2 Only my desk 8

100 80 80 Normal, but not so good 60 sometimes 40 20 Partially, 20 about half 0 How_much_space_use

How often do you use courtyard? Not at all 3 About 1 hour 7

80 70 60 Not at all 40 30 20 About 1 hour 0 Use_courtyard

How often do you go to touristic part of house? Barely 5 Sometimes when I have free time 2 I work there 3

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CHAPTER 4

GENERAL EVALUATION

This chapter outlines evaluation and suggestions upon assessment of function of two buildings. The main aim of this thesis was to investigate if the new functions dedicated to these houses can be adapted to a workable state within rational and standard frameworks of conservation, and to investigate to what extent the new functions may fit favorable perspectives in the future and in other examples.

This thesis has explored Iranian houses as component of vernacular architecture and intangible heritage, discussed their values, examined the use of user-based evaluation as classified method of surveying, and identified mansions of Boroujerdi and Manouchehri as case study. Definitions and features of Iranian houses, historical background, cultural attitudes, and relevant materials pertaining to the concept of study have all been discussed as well as detailed conditions of mansions under new functions. Methods of architectural analysis and user/guest surveying have been presented. For taking photos, architectural observation and surveying three tours of Kashan has been placed. Feedback from guests, staff, civil servants of the two mansions has delivered precious insight into the assessment and shed light upon shortcomings and successes of re-functioning.

4.1. An Overview In this research two mansions from the city of Kashan have been selected for their fame, their new functions and for they display traditional architectural techniques of central Iran. The mansion of Manouchehri which has vacant for long time after it sheltered Afghan refugees, has been bought, renovated and adapted for a new concept of hotel and hospitality. The mansion of Boroujerdi which is one of the most renown survived examples among residential heritages in Iran, has been occupied and registered and used by the office of Ministry of Culture. Both cases are not dwelling anymore. Both are renovated and adapted to use. In both the traffic of use and workload is larger than in a house with such scales. The first goal of this user-based assessment is to emerge the facts, though benefits or drawbacks,

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from user's point of view. The boldest benefit of user based assessment lies beneath use of space that bring unbiased and reliable commentaries. In this method qustionee answers to deliberately arranged questions to bring out exact and logical responses. Beside technical and functional parts of questions, behavioral elements of a building that impact of user' responses to built environment and guarantee building's functionality, are critical parts of deign.

4.2. The mansion of Manouchehri The mansion which was abandoned and vacant for long time has been purchased by Ms. Manouchehri and has been renovated and prepared for accommodation purpose. Although, Manouchehri is not the first traditional hotel it is considered as a successful examples if in its trend.

The building has slightly lost its overall form in spaces and has changed in spatial circulation. Though this may not break the overall form on the building, has certainly deformed spatial interrelationship between spaces from open to semi-open to close spaces. This theory will be discussed in the following.

4.2.1. User-based data analysis The main goal of user-based evaluation is to emerge more clear and unbiased responses upon occupation, though short. This is what many architects neglect after they complete a building and major techniques of evaluation are based on.

Upon data collected by surveying guest and staff of the house, I conducted this analysis which contains three main phases and general questions. First phase is about technicality of the building which includes questions concerning with installations, electric lighting, ventilation, noise-resistance, cooling/heating tolerance, and general comfort measured by physical aspects of buildings. Questions of functional elements concern with functionality and facts relating to design. Since the building is renovated and adapted to new function with slight interventions, is has few functional feedback in regards to design. Behavioral elements' focus is on user's comfort and emotional impressions like safety, security, etc.

Based on responses from guests of the traditional hotel, most of them would stay for one day in the hotel and five of them for two days. This indeed is not for disqualification of hotel's comfort but as describes in Chapter 2, Kashan is a city in the way to south where Isfahan and other historical cities locate and being on the only main road to south brings this opportunity

116 to introduce itself to tourists but at the same time being on road brings ephemeral accommodations.

According to responses, more than dimensions of rooms which is mostly satisfying, guests complain about lack of space for placing their personal belonging. None of rooms has closet or drawer. Guests are supposed to use small niches called raf which is traditionally for putting frequently used items. Nevertheless, the concept traditionally separates frequently used and infrequently used items. Less randomly used belongings are placed in pastou which is turned to room's bathroom. Therefore it is necessary to fill its absence with furniture. Without drawer or closet, what a room possesses is beds, make up desk and small desks. When I asked guests whether if they have displaced any of these items in their room for better spatial circulation I received hundred percent negative answers. This may be because they only rest in rooms when they sleep.

Electric light in rooms is kept to slightly moderate to make interior atmosphere more leaning to its original and more oriental. While it may seem weak no complain arrived from guests but they have certainly too much to indicate about natural day light. It is discussed Persian house is about winter/summer sequences and this division is identified by angle of sunlight and the period of time each part stays under sun exposure. Northern part of house apparently catches more sunlight and during summer this part can bring serious unhealthy illness because of enormous volume of sun heat; which my colleagues and I have experienced in our first accommodation in the house. Since the hotel has only nine rooms and demand is high, they have no choice to use all rooms in touristic season, for that some guests dwelling in four northern rooms complain about too much sunshine and heat in summer. This is while guests who stayed in basement rooms of south part complain about lack of sunshine and natural air circulation. Basement floors in their default are designed to catch least possible sunshine, for that they stay extremely cold. But to avoid dampness in basements ventilation canals and wind-towers are constructed to blow air away to courtyard. Blocking wind-tower and ventilation canals, it is not surprise to see guests complain about no air ventilation in basement rooms and in spite of their desire they had to open room door for fresh air.

When the topic comes to spatial qualification, perhaps the biggest failure in design is reception room and lobby. Reception is a se-dari room which is a small typical room with small area that cannot contain much visitors in once. Most of guests who come to the house sit on iwan of south part; which is in front of reception room; or sit in courtyard until their check-in is completed. On the other hand, lobby which is living room behind iwan in south

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part stays unused. Upon surveys 15 person visited it once, and two of guests have not recognized it. These two person neither recognized art gallery which is upper floor of lobby. Art gallery has been visited by half of guest and only two people visited it for more than once. Beside gallery, cinema hall and shop are barely visited places, however, in return for all, weaving workshop is the most visited place in the building. This workshop which is established in ex-kitchen to revive splendor of Kashan in this specific handcrafts, attracts everyone at least for half an hour to watch how velvet is made by hand.

The most used part of the building after rooms is courtyard where people gather on sun beds to drink and talk and rest before or after their meal. Though guests stay temporarily for one or two days in Kashan they have compact tour agendas to visit Kashan thoroughly, yet feedbacks shows the minimum use of courtyard is one hour and it brings this fact that it is so successful. On the other hand, after dinner some guests go for rest in their rooms and some stay in courtyard. This is the only source of disturbing noises some guests mentioned to.

As for the rooms, a critical feedback on which almost everyone emphasized is rooms' cooling systems. Most of guests replied they are uncomfortable with room temperature both in day and during sleep. Personally I experienced the temperature and it is beyond tolerance for a rest.

Surveying staff of the hotel who occupy room for their job like reception room and security room, I fell least coherent and usable data for this analysis yet I continued conversation to emerge the impact of building on personifying and feeling belonged to place. Interesting part of interview was their response to questions related to feeling belong to space. They all lingered to answer and while they indicate they have not brought anything personal to their office they say they feel belonging, or they just think they do so.

4.2.2. Architectural assessment Facts about restoration and interventions in the mansion if Manouchehri mostly focuses or two main articles: use of spaces and changes implemented for this use.

What happened in the mansion is turning a living place into separate living units and common spaces. In fact space integrity is broken for sharing with foreign people but in the same manner it is tried to reassemble its integrity. However, spatial circulation and spatial hierarchy deformed. From minor to major, path and fluency of movement from corridors to rooms is blocked by privacy of guests. Since each room needs private bathroom, pastou which has favorable dimension is prepared for this function. This is while rooms lack

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armories for guests' personal belonging which originally was function of pastou. Nevertheless, what may increase concern is a close space like pastou tuning into sanitary spaces. Kashan in seriously dry region and in the matter of dampness the small ventilation fans installed in pastous is sufficient to blow away vapor in a minute.

The house has four living room (main halls or panj dari rooms) one of which is restaurant that does not suffice the volume of guests in touristic time. In front of the east living room a vast mahtabi (terrace) is used as well for dinning during rush seasons. The south living room is dedicated to lobby. Almost totally unused and vacant. It could be merged with reception room which is considerably small for its function and the reception room could be another room for guests. North living room is strictly prepared for the house owner, Ms. Manouchehri and her special guests. The room opens only when she visits her hometown.

Basement living room is separated into three spaces. One guest room which has no windows, engine room in symmetry to the guest room which is originally separated, and a main hall which is the largest room of the hotel with 6 to 8 beds. To adapt the spaces into rooms ventilation canals are blocked. The wind-tower on south accommodation performs relying of ventilation canals. Wind blows through shafts and meet cold damp canals and puffs out heat and damp air from entrance to courtyard. Blocking the canals (though the water does not stream anymore) the wind-tower remains useless and air circulation in basement becomes a problem.

Figure 123: étude of air stream from ventilation canals to courtyard 119

Figure 124: wind-tower shafts in plan of first floor

The wind-towers - one in south part and two in east part - are all blocked. This is because using wind-tower needs precise and frequent care and cleaning as much as expenses. However this could be a perfect opportunity to exhibit true performance of a wind-tower as an unique type of architecture.

The cistern below east main hall is being used as cinema hall. A small saloon with limited seats that does not usually works. The saloon is mostly turned off unless a meeting or educational courses of theatre happen. Since the mansion of Manouchehri is the only house in Kashan which possesses a cistern, though it cannot reinstate for structural reasons, could be presented in a more frequent function to exhibit this unique possession. Upon surveys it is quite a clear fact that the cistern does not attract people to visit the room even. It could be more appropriate for monthly or weekly art galleries or for temporary handcraft show off which brings economical benefit to the hotel, rather than unused cinema.

Surprisingly every free minute of each person is spent in courtyard. Instead of dinning, lunch, touring the city, resting and taking shower which all are times spent out of courtyard, the major part of remaining time is spent in courtyard for resting, drinking tea or coffee, talking, and so on. Subsequently, after guests leave to their rooms I noticed the courtyard is used by night-shift staff. They sit on beds drink tea and talk in whisper! It is interesting that courtyard gather people in the same way it used to perform in traditional houses.

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The mansion of Manouchehri has been restored and by this project the form of building has been altered in minor to set it for new function. Not size of spaces or their general form but spatial circulation of spaces has been cracked. Passage from open to semi-open to close spaces has been blocked by privacy of units.

4.3. The mansion of Boroujerdi The mansion of Boroujerdi has been possessed, restored and occupied by Ministry of Culture. This mansion is an example of higher class residents back in its time, owned by renown merchant family of Boroujerdi. The mansion located in a district which includes several other elite families' mansions like Ameri, Abbasi, and Tabatabayi.

The office prepares the mansion for public visit after restoration is over and exhibits most part of it in a vacant form free of furniture. A part of it is occupied by civil servants who work in the office.

4.3.1. User-based data analysis Architectural observations and final evaluations of building through expert vista, are professionally pronounced by raw data the users of mansion of Boroujerdi delivered. Their point of view as civil servants is valuable since most of them spent about 5 years in the building. Nevertheless, for the same excuse in the other examples their behavioral assessment could not fully materialized first because of lack of time, and mostly because they barely spend time in common spaces and the time they share in rooms they work so it doesn't bring any precise and precious information.

Figure 125: main office, photo by author Figure 126: archive room, photo by author

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According to results, most of civil servants has 4 to 5 years of experience in the office and some of them have been sent to this office from neighbor cities. The results also considered to be responses of civil servants who partially work out of office at sites of excavation or similar examples. From all the questionee two people work in archives, one person works in main house, and the rest work in main hall of small house. The civil servants at archives room share a small room full of office furniture and they complain about spatial circulation and no enough room for furniture. This is while servants in main hall complain about vast and crowded space. More interesting is both groups instead of those occupying rooms in main house desire to move to another room in building. In the main hall of small house around ten person work but not all of them are present at the same time. Some of them are experts who for their work cases need to go out of office frequently, therefore the office is barely full. Yet, mass of office furniture, desks, computers, and other office equipments worsen spatial circulation which staff complain about.

Quality of use of space in the large room is debatable with windows which are not fully restored. The joints are loose and not overlapped for that the windows cannot manage air balance. Although this rooms has strong air conditioner because of open joints of wooden windows warm weather imparts. For the same reason with sudden change in weather which frequently happens in autumn and spring, the inner weather also changes. This main hall has high ceiling by default of living rooms and for this noise echo easily, which all staff in this room complain about. They mention their colleagues' noises get too high when the room is crowded. This is while smaller rooms like archives or rooms used in main house do not meet the same situation. Moreover, this shared space decreases personal boundaries and privacy. For instance, lack of enough space for personal belongings decreased privacy as much as no boundaries between desks which compact arrangement makes disorder.

Figure 127: the main office and location of desks, photo by author Figure 128: the main office and location of desks, photo by author

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The office's main policy is to use the building with least intervention. This purpose lessen felling of belonging to space. All civil servants barely displace a furniture in their environment unless forced by seasonal preferences like getting away from windows. According to Preiser's statement displacing furniture is a sign of personifying spaces. The civil servants in the mansion of Boroujerdi indicate they only displace their desk if necessary and four over ten questionee responded they do not feel much belonged to their environment. The results of survey and architectural observations approves the six other questionee who mentioned they feel belonging to their workspace are biased most probably. More than these, bringing no personal item like a picture, a radio or a personal device, a decorative item, etc. is a proof for this claim. When the trend of behavioral impact of building on user comes to common spaces, again the role of courtyard becomes bold in this evaluation but unlike the state of courtyard use in mansion of Mansouchehri, the courtyards of Boroujerdi do not meet the same use. This is first because there are no facilities for using courtyard as appeared in mansion of Manouchehri. By the result of surveys, only archives members who have more free time compared to others use courtyard about an hour a day. The members whose offices are in main house mentioned they already work there. By this statement they indicate spending time in courtyard is not an important matter. Another reason could be for their work hours. The office works since 8:00am to 2:00pm, so the civil servants leave the building before sunset when the courtyard becomes more useful.

4.3.2. Architectural assessment The major part of this assessment from architectural point of view spins around use of space and conservation principles. Many tourists come to visit the house. For their comfort the office compacted its civil servants into few rooms. Upon their responses they do not feel belong to their environment. This by default devalues the building through user's point of view. Moreover, over-using a space and leaving another space vacant damages the building during time. The office could use many other rooms and avoid compacting users in common spaces.

It would be more appropriate to set the building for function with more spaces in use and distribute civil servants in more separate rooms to enhance feel of privacy, personifying, feel of belonging to place, and subsequently conserve the building by encouraging individuals who occupy it. Leaving spaces empty and unused also bring rather bigger disorders. While the living room in small house is densely occupied, first floor spaces in main house is mostly

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vacant or used as depot for unused and old office equipments like desk, drawers, file case, and damaged electronic devices.

Figure 129: damaged equipment stored in Figure 130: damaged equipment stored in first floor spaces, photo by author first floor spaces, photo by author

Through architectural point of view, the house is in inappropriate physical situation yet it may not contain serious structural problems. The most frequent problems refer to use of space and not caring to unused spaces. large windows are covered by thick and large nylon sheets to decrease warm/cold air transfer. This is because of loose and open gaps in joints of wooden windows and openings. This temporary treatment is another hint for not feeling belong to space. On the other hand, electronic devices for cooling or heat in are installed without considering aesthetic or physical principles, and for that walls or windows are freely drilled without taking the historical or aesthetic values in consideration.

Figure 131: windows are covered with plastic sheet Figure 132: windows are covered with plastic sheet and air conditioners are deviced in every room, and air conditioners are deviced in every room, photo by author photo by author The building has barely seen intervention during restoration and it can be sure said it has few changes in original form, nevertheless, use of space without preparing the building for a

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specific function may harm seriously as much as not using it. The workload in some spaces is much beyond buildings capabilities. On the other hand upper floor spaces suffer from dampness and deteriorations in plaster - considering a building barely meets dampness in Kashan.

As in mansion of Manouchehri, the mansion of Boroujerdi has three blocked wind-towers. Wind-towers are not only traditional air conditioners but also ventilation shafts. Houses in central Iran are generally constructed on clay-based materials which easily absorb water. Dampness is the main factor of deterioration for clay-based constructions. Therefore wind- towers provide everlasting air stream to dry the body of building frequently. Blocking them increase growth of dampness in cold weather and increase of damp/dry tolerance between cold and warm seasons, which causes more damage to body of structure.

Figure 133: three wind-tower shafts in house of Boroujerdi

Two buildings chosen for this study are mansions of Manouchehri and Boroujerdi. Both these examples signify aristocracy of a certain era in late 18th century and demonstrate sustainable architecture of central plateau of Iran. After restoration projects of each building, they have been changed in function and physical features to fit for new use.

Mansion of Boroujerdi has been used by Ministry of Culture. Few interventions implemented in this building to alter the overall form to fit for new function. The building is frequently under conservation. But the quality of function is the matter of discuss. The office sets heavy workload on specific places where many of civil servants gather. This way they

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reduce expenses of purchasing new cooling and heating instruments but increase the expenses then will have to spend for conservation. Though the physical form of the house has not change, the quality of use has decreased its value to a simple historical building in use. In overall, the office needs to revise their occupancy in the mansion of Boroujerdi to improve functionality and motivate civil servants to feel more dedicated to the place. Spreading over thirty civil servants in more rooms can reduce tension in workplace and make civil servants pas through other parts of house frequently. As Preiser suggests personification and privacy motivates sense of security and subsequently increases work quality to better level (Preiser 1988). Dedicating more room to civil servants brings more privacy and more personification, and subsequently improves workplace's atmosphere. Also using upper floor rooms enhances circulation in the building and as a result, courtyards come in use by default. Moreover, for common spaces in the main house where tourists visit, it is a nice opportunity to exhibit performance of wind towers. Since none of rooms beneath wind-towers of south accommodation are occupied nobody would be disturbed.

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CHAPTER 5:

CONCLUSION

This thesis has explored a study to analyze new functions of mansions of Boroujerdi and Manouchehri - as components of cultural heritage and examples of traditional houses of central plateau of Iran - through user-based evaluation framework and architectural observations. Relying on literature the concepts and characteristics of Iranian traditional houses has been discussed to deliver their value. Each mansion has been separately introduced, their current condition and their state before restoration has been discussed as well as architectural characteristics and changes during restoration.

To bring more trustable and need-optimizing feedback for evaluation, surveys are implemented within the study beside expert evaluation of buildings. The quality of functionality in short-term has been surveyed through users' point of view. This brings more material for evaluation of a building's function and capabilities.

During surveying the guests and staff of mansion of Manouchehri, and civil servants of mansion of Boroujerdi, three sequences of surveying has been considered and the questions are provided in the manner for these three phases: technical, functional, and behavioral phases. Upon the responses from questionee, the overall evaluation is composed of and compared feedback from users/guests to expert evaluation.

User-based evaluation is a systematic method of assessment that can be hired in conservation studies and bring fruitful results. It is a frequent, practical-in-time, versatile and reliable method of studying buildings during a long period of time.

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REFERENCES

 Bosworth, C.E. (1989), Encaylopaedia of Islam Vol IV, Brill, Netherlands,

 Ardalan, N., & Laleh, B. (1973), The Sense of Unity : The Sufi Tradition in Persian Architecture, University of Chicago, USA

 Ranjbar, A.M. (2002), Islamic architecture of Iran, Elm o Sanat University, Iran

 Costello, V. F. (1971), Settlement Relations in the City and Region of Kashan, Iran, Durham University, England

 Fisher, W.B. (1968), The Cambridge History of Iran: Volume I; The Land of Iran, Cambridge University, England

 Preiser, W.F.E., Rabinowitz, H., White, E.T., (1989) Post Occupancy Evaluation, Thames and Hudson, London

 Frye, R.N. (1975), The Cambridge History of Iran: Volume IV; The Period from Arab Invasion to Saljuqs, Cambridge University, England  Jackson, P. (1986), The Cambridge History of Iran: Volume VI; Timurid and Safavid Periods, Cambridge University, England

 Avery, P. & Hambly G. & Melville C. (1991), The Cambridge History of Iran: Volume VII; From Nadir Shah to Islamic Republic, Cambridge University, England

حبیبی، محسن )0178(، از شار تا شهر، انتشارات دانشگاه تهران، تهران  Habibi, Mohsen (1990), De la Cité à la Ville, University of Tehran, Iran

 Saeidian, Amin (2013), Ab-anbar, sustainable traditional water supply system in hot arid regions, remarkable example of Iranian vernacular architecture, Mahshahr University, Iran

 Hyde, R. (2008), Bioclimatic Housing: Innovative Designs for Warm Climates, Earthscan, UK

 Sherban, Cantacuzino (1989), Re-architecture: old buildings/new uses, Abbeville Press, New York

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 Shirvani, A. H. & Kazemi, A. G. (2011), An Overview of Some Vernacular Techniques in Iranian Sustainable Architecture in Reference to Cisterns and Ice Houses, Shahid Rajaee University, Iran

 Eskandari, P. (2011), Analysis of Traditional Iranian Houses of Kashan in Terms of Space Organization and Access Design, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus

 Panahi, S. & Mirzaie, Q. & Mohammadikia, M. (2013), Comparative Analysis of Natural Elements in the Architecture of Tabriz and Kashan Houses (During Qajar Era), Azad University Press, Iran

 Taleqani, M. & Behboud, K. Heidari, S. (2009), Energy Efficient Architectural Design Strategies in Hot-Dry Area of Kashan, Tehran University, Iran

 Daryadari, J. & Ebrahimi, H. (2010), Review of the Development of Tourism in Kashan: Challenges and Solutions, Azad University, Iran

 Khiabanian, A. & Abbasi, A. (2012), Sustainable House in Iran’s Desert, Azad University of Ahar, Iran

 Zand Karimi, A. & Hosseini, B. (2012), The Influence of Iranian Islamic Architecture on Traditional Houses of Kashan, Sahid Beheshti University, Iran

 Amiri, T. S. & Alipur, A. & Seyyedi Saravi, M. (2014), Examining the Typology of Winter Sitting Spaces in Traditional Houses of Kashan, University of Mazandaran, Iran

 Gazzeh, T. (2009), Privacy as the Basis of Architectural Planning in the Islamic Culture of Saudi Arabia,

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APPENDIX A

THE LAND OF IRAN

Figure 134: a general map of Iran, from google images

Iran in her present state covers an area of some 1,648,195 km² and extends between longitude 44° and 63° E., and latitude 25° and 40° N. ranked as the 18th country in the world. Iran has a frontier that has been estimated at 2750 miles (4425) in total length, of which over half is sea coast, with 400 miles (643 km) lying along the southern Caspian shore, and the remainder (1100 miles (1170)) comprising the northern parts of the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf (The Cambridge History of Iran, vol 1). Iran neighbors to the following countries: from east to Afghanistan and Pakistan, from northeast to Turkmenistan, from northwest to Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan exclave, Armenia and Turkey, from west to Iraq,

131 via sea borders of Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman in southwest and south to Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

I. Provinces and population Iran is subdivided into thirty one provinces (Ostān). Among all provinces, Tehran is the first in population with approximately 12.5 million inhabitants (census taken in 2013), and the second crowded province is Khorasan Razavi with approximately 6 million inhabitants (census taken in 2011). Tehran province is the densest province (population/area) with 648.5 inhabitants per square kilometers and Alborz province with 235.8 inhabitants per square kilometers is the second dense province. Most of the provinces are located on mountainous regions. These provinces are mainly small in area and dense in population. The eastern and central provinces; on the other hand; are large and mainly poor in population. Even the populated ones like Razavi Khorasan province in northeast and Isfahan province in center have low population density. Each province consists of several sub-provinces or counties (shahrestān) which themselves consist of cities that each city (shahr) is identified by its capital city or town and its villages. In each province the largest city is the capital of the province and the largest city in each county is its capital. As well, each city is managed by a center that can be separated from the villages and towns or integratedly in form of a whole.

In terms of population and density of population Tehran is the first city with 12,896 person/km2 and total population of over 15 million inhabitants. This is while Yazd province owns population density of 8.3 person/km2 and overall population of around one million inhabitants. (Census of 2011)

II. Topography Topographically, Iran consists of rugged chain mountains enclosing several elevated basins or plateaus on which major agricultural and urban settlements are located. Two main chain mountains are Zāgros and Alborz. Zagros; the largest chain mountain; is formed by collision of tectonic activities of Eurasian plate and Arabian plate which is still active and makes earth deformation in western regions. The Zagros chain mountains start at extreme northeast of the country from Van lake in Turkey, roughly corresponds to Iran’s western borders with Iraq, and spans to whole length of western and southwestern Iranian plateau and end at the Strait of Hormuz. By all means, it dominates entire western portion of Iran (The Cambridge History of Iran, vol 1). The second vast mountain range of Iran is Alborz which starts from Azerbaijan and Armenia, extends closely parallel to whole southern Caspian Sea coast and

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ends inside Turkmenistan and Afghanistan with narrow width of 60-130 km and unusually high peaks. It forms a barrier in between Caspian Sea and Qazvin-Tehran plateau. In the higher parts ecoregion is mostly steppe and arid with few trees but in the northern slopes the Caspian-Hyrcanian forests are dense and fertile. Geologically, Alborz mountains are much younger than Zagros mountains and this is why the ranges in Alborz are much rougher and higher as the extreme height of western Asian locates in the central Alborz; Mt. Damavand (5670 m).

Figure 135: topography map of Iran, from Google images

In marked contrast to the north and west, where the defining highland ring is broad, high and extremely regular in structural pattern, the east and southeast of Iran consist of a number of upland massifs separated by topographical expanses of differing width and lower but varied altitudes (The Cambridge history of Iran vol 1). The highest peak of these scattered mountain chains is Taftan, a stratovolcano with 3941 meters height located in southeastern Iran.

III. Deserts Iran is a land of varied climate and topography. It varies from uplands to flatlands, from humid to dry, from fertile green regions to arid salty lands. The climate of Iran is one of the extremes due to its geographical location and varied topography. The summers are extremely hot with temperatures in the interior rising possibly higher than anywhere else in the world; certainly over 55°C14 has been recorded. In winter, however, the great altitude of much of the

14 NASA satellites informally have recorded the world’s extreme hot point with 70.7° C in central desert of Iran where no life nor water exists. 133

country and its continental situation result in far lower temperature than one would expect to find in a country in such low latitudes. Minus 30°C cab be recorded in northwest and minus 20°C is common in many places. (Iran National Committee of ICID, 1999)

Deserts of Iran lie at the central plateau of Iran where the rims demarcated and form a cluster of inland large and small basins without drainage to sea. The deserts are categorized into two main categories: one category is coastal desert which extends to Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf, and the other one is central desert. According to some researches Iran has totally sixty deserts some of which are: Maranjab desert, Mesr desert, Rig-e Jenn, Dasht-e Kavir and Kavir-e Lut. The central deserts experience the least amount of annual rainfall with average between 20 to 150mm. In summer days, because of lack of clouds and dryness of the air the temperature is very high but for the same logics the nights get cold instantly. This diurnal severe exchange of temperature enhances the erosive activities.

Figure 136: barkhans of deserts of Iran, from Figure 137: kalouts of the great desert, from Google Google images images Two main deserts of Iran according to area and dryness are Dasht-e Kavir (Kavir desert) and Kavir-e Lut (Lut desert). Dasht-e Kavir; with approximately 77,600 km² area; is an inhabited vast area of rainless salt lands and a cluster of several smaller deserts and some unexplored areas in central northeast of Iran located at south of Semnan, southeast of Mashhad, northeast of Isfahan. There are several salty swamps in this desert which the largest is the Salt Lake (also known as Houz-e Soltan) located in south of Tehran and Qom and north of Kashan. Kavir-e Lut (in local languages Lut means emptiness), the second vast dry area of Iran, is the second desert and the driest and hottest region in the country which holds the title of extreme hot point of the planet named Kalut which is a part of central Lut without any drop of water nor footprint of life, not even microorganism. Geomorphologically, the central Lut desert is classified by three classes: pediments, kaluts (yardangs) and barkhans.

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IV. Climate Generally Iran’s climate is classified into four main groups: moderate Hyrcanian climate; mountainous climate; hot and dry climate; and hot and humid climate. The first group; moderate Hyrcanian climate; is referred to southern Caspian Sea green regions which locates at the northern slopes of Alborz heights and extends from Ardebil; west of Caspian Sea in neighborhood with Republic of Azerbaijan; to the eastern part of the sea in province of Golestan; neighbor of Turkmenistan. This region is covered with Hyrcanian-Caspian mixed forests with approximate area 55000 km². For its immense annual precipitation; 900 mm to 1600 mm; and the high peaks that encage the moist in the northern regions, this biome is highly fertile and profitable for agriculture.

The mountainous climate of Iran corresponds to the western and northwestern boundaries where the Zagros ridges form several elevated basins that make the region almost rich for fruit agriculture. This climatic class divides into two sub-groups: dry mountainous climate and cold mountainous climate; which both has common attributes in severely cold snowy winters and mellow dry summers.

Figure 138: climatic map of Iran that shows different temperatures in the country, from welcometoiran.com webpage

In general Iran’s large area is hot and dry which includes central plateau and basins, deserts and salt lands. The annual precipitation in some regions is less than 100 mm that means agriculture is impossible without irrigation. The most considerable features of this climate is extremely hot summers and harsh winters, serious lack of water, high-speed seasonal winds 135

and extreme temperature shift between day and night. The hot and humid climate covers southern and southwestern parts of the country where the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf blow maritime air into the lands that are enclosed with southern Zagros chain mountains. This provides rough humid climatic condition that is unbearable in summer when the temperature exceeds 50°c. The area is rich in vegetation and agriculture yet the solutions for comfortable lifestyle are entirely different to the other parts of the country.

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APPENDIX B

KARIZ AND WATER SOURCES

It is mentioned although coastal regions of Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf and whole western border of the country are rich in vegetation, Iran is still considered to be a dry country. This persona is not only for extremely huge arid lands of central plateau but for lack of water as well, that brings great deal of struggle to survive. In his convey to find water, ancient inhabitant of the plateau has discovered the tracks of water tens of meter below his footsteps and spent hundreds of years to develop his specific inventions. For such a region when the topic comes to Iran it is of high degree of importance. Water for its extremely vital value and being hard to access has always been sacred and stored by ultimate care. As much as its acquiring, for storing water he invented specific and technically practical methods and types of buildings.

I. Kariz Kāriz (in Arabic Qanāt) is an originally Iranian irrigation underground long water canal which has existed from remote ages. It transports water from snowy slopes to plain thirsty cities which would otherwise have remained uninhabitable and uncultivable. A kariz consists of a mādarche (mother well) which is a deep shaft down to a water table; an underground tunnel that can be several kilometers long (the longest kariz is 72 km in Oshkoz, Yazd); access shafts which are dug in particular distance from each other to provide air for the excavators and a way to remove out the dug soil; and finally the output of kariz which can be a huge well or deep pond from which it is distributed into several fountains and canals.

Kariz (Qanat in Arabic) is a long underground water canal drilled to bring fresh water from its source to city or cultivated lands. In this specific system a several kilometers of tunnel is dug underground. For securing construction every few ten meters a shaft is dug to ground for supplying air for breathing, for tossing excavated soil, and later for air ventilation into canal. The earliest footprints of kariz dates back to about 3000 years ago, somewhere in

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northwestern Iran. Much developed evidences are discovered in southeastern Iran and Afghanistan. Today 28,040 karizes still provide Iran with an annual supply of approximately 10,050 billion cubic meters of water and their combined length is over four and half time the earth’s circumference. (Pirnia 1995)

Figure 139: aerial hoto of a kariz showing its Figure 140: view of inside of a kariz, ventilation shafts, from Campribge History of from Cambridge History of Iran Iran

Figure 141: structure of a kariz, from Wikipedia.org

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II. Āb-Anbar (cistern) Another type of architecture for collecting water is āb-anbār (cistern). In hot dry season when the permanent water supply would diminish, ab-anbar is the survival solution to preserve cold water. The plan layout of ab-anbars is in two types: circular with domed roof or rectangular (rectangle or square) supported by several piers or pillars and multi-domed roof or barrel-vaulted roof. Ab-anbar is filled with rain water or snow during precipitation but the main water input is from subterranean water canals. An especial water channel branched from a main canal feed ab-anbar and the volume of entry is controlled. However, this happens in towns and caravansarays the cisterns are filled from the spring torrents of nearby streams. (Ranjbar 2002)

Figure 142: entrance of a cistern in central Iran, Figure 143: a cistern in Persian Gulf region, from from archives of Ministry of Culture archives of Ministry of Culture

For the purpose of ventilation and preventing the distribution of microorganism and illness in the enclosed space of ab-anbar, one or several wind towers or badgirs (maximum 6 badgirs) is constructed adjacent to the cistern or near to it joined with a sub-canal or air. This technique provides favorable air circulation in hollow part of ab-anbar cools the surface of water and blows the heat outside. Any slight breeze turns into empowered stream. Ab-anbar; as it contains huge amount of water (300 – 3000m² or in some exceptions 100,000m²); has to be strong in construction and water-resist in inner surface. For this purpose the body of store is made with stone of over-cooked brick and a thick totally waterproof tenacious lime-based plaster layer named sārooj is employed to guarantee the resistance against the bulky volume of water.

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APPENDIX C

BADGIR (WIND-TOWER)

Wind-tower or wind-catcher is an element of architecture in Iran which can be found from north coasts of Persian Gulf to Tehran that encapsulates range of hot, hot and dry and hot and humid climates and has been used for several centuries in Iran, Iraq and some of Arab countries at Persian Gulf. These chimney-resembling vertical shafts are usually seen in houses, pavilions and cisterns. Wind-tower performs like modern air conditioner and puffs wind into house but at the same time it acts like ventilation and puffs out warm weather as well, yet no energy nor electric is used. It is an example of conversion of natural energy and force into favorable condition.

Plan of a wind tower can be rectangular, square or octagonal. The entry of a wind tower can be open to one side, two opposite sides, or all sides, depending on predominant local wind directions. Each opening has several vents to suck air in. Shafts are structured by cross plates all along their height.

Figure 144: plan of wind-towers with square and rectangle bases

Plates provide triangular sections that keep stream winding in and prevent wind to escape from opposite vents, and make warm/fresh air interchange possible. They also hold wind towers from collapse in stormy days. A wind tower is part of a whole, if we might call wind catcher. The whole system relies on cold water supply to smoothen breeze and cool it. Two possible ways for keeping a breeze cold is:

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1. Linking the shafts to basement where water supply from kariz provide extremely cold water and blown-in wind gets colder by touch of water stream. This method also keeps damp cold basement dry and healthy. It is shown in the figure 122.

2. Providing a water supply like a pond beneath foot of a shaft to circulate wind around water and make it cold. See figure 121.

Figure 145: diagram of inhale and exhale of a wind Figure 146: cooling wind using water pond tower and role of sub-stream Kariz water in cooling beneath the foot of wind tower breeze

In some traditional houses and specially in smaller and modest ones where the owners could not gather money for construction of water pond beneath wind shafts, an old method which is still in use in mega air conditioners was putting water soaked straw and grass in the opening of water shaft. By this not breeze gets colder but also dust would not enter rooms.

Figure 147: a perspective section of a four sided wind tower showing plates and direction of winds for both inhale and exhale, Gazzeh 2009.

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APPENDIX D

SURVEY SHEETS

I. Surveying guests of Manouchehri hotel - How long would you mind to stay in the hotel?

- How do you find the rooms prices?

- How did you find your room at the first glance? - Are you satisfied with the dimensions of your room? □ Small □ Fair □ Large - Do you have enough space or closet to place your personal belongings? □ I have enough space, closets and shelves to put my things in □ I fit my things but it is not convenient □ I have no closet in the room, leave my things on the ground or on chair and bed - Do you feel safe to leave your personal belongings and IDs in the room while you are out? - Do you feel cozy and relax in your room? - Did you displace any of the furniture such as bed, desk, mirror, etc? In the event of changing, please mark it in the plan drawn at the end of the survey sheet. - Do you think the facilities placed in rooms are enough? Mirror, chair, desk, fridge, books, bed, etc. - Does your room have balcony? - If it has, do you use balcony? How and most often, when do you use it? - Do you use courtyard? How long do you spend in the courtyard daily? - What do you do when you are in courtyard? - How do you describe the dimensions of WC/bathroom □ Small □ Fair □ Big □ Too large - How do you describe the ventilation in your WC? □ Too weak, it takes too much to blow the damp air out □ Normal, in just few minutes the vapor is gone □ Too strong, vapor disappeared quickly after shower

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- How do you leave the WC door after using it and why? □ I leave it open □ I leave it open only after shower □ I leave it open after using toilette □ I close in any case - Does the vapor transfer into the room from WC? □ Yes, after shower the vapor comes out into the room □ No, it is limited with the WC - How is the same position to the smell of lavatory? □ The smell comes into the rooms even when I shut the door □ The smell comes into the room but not when I shut the WC door □ The smell is blown away and does not come into the room, neither stays in the WC - There is no elevation change in between the room and the WC levels, does it disturb you when you walk out of shower into the room with wet feet? - How do you describe heating/cooling system? □ It is great and it makes the air chilly □ It is good but I feel warm sometimes □ It cannot chill out the room, the warmth is disturbing - How do you describe the cooling system when you sleep in your room? □ I hardly can sleep at night □ It is fair, I just remove some clothes to chill out □ I sweat a lot and cannot sleep even when I dress off - How do you feel right now? - How do you evaluate the dampness in your room? □ It is as damp as I hardly breathe □ It is slightly damp, especially for a while after I take shower □ It is damp just near the WC door □ It is not damp at all - To talk about natural day light, how do you describe it? □ It is too much sunshine □ It is fair, the light does not disturb □ It catches few sun light and it is almost dark - How do you describe electrical lighting? □ It is too much from one source □ It is too much from several lamps □ It is fair and balanced □ It is dark almost and depressing - Does the air circulation in your room good? □ It is good, it only needs to open one of the windows □ I have to open all the windows to make air circulated □ The air cannot be refreshed unless I open the room door and windows so an air stream begins - Do the smells emerged from the things in the room such as rugs, furniture, wood, curtains, etc. disturb? □ It is to smelly and the smells are bold □ It is normal, the smells are strong but not disturbing □ There is not smell or so slight

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- Do you have any problem for the noises coming from neighbor rooms? □ The noises are so clear and I can easily hear the conversations □ The noises are vague but it is disturbing □ The noises disturbing is so weak □ There is no disturbing noise at all - How about the noises coming from the courtyard? □ It is too annoying □ It is normal □ Almost no noise coming - What time do you serve breakfast usually? - What do you do after you serve breakfast? □ Go back to my room and rest or stay in my room □ Go back to my room, get ready and go out □ Stay in the courtyard □ (add your comment) - Do you prefer to serve lunch and dinner in the hotel or to go out in a restaurant? - How often do you use gallery, shop, cinema and other places in the house? - How do you describe parking lot? - Had you heard/seen/read about Iranian hotel houses before you walk in one of them? - How did you become aware of Iranian hotel houses? □ By a tour agency □ By a friend □ By advertisement □ By television □ By searching the web □ Other; please mark it - Had you ever visited an Iranian residential heritage before you come to this hotel? - What was your image before you visit the hotel? - Does the actual hotel meet your expectations and imaginations about Persian house? - How do you feel in your room?

I feel like I am in my own I do not feel homey home

I feel secure I feel unsecure

I feel privacy I do not feel privacy

I feel comfortable I do not feel comfortable

- For the next time visiting Kashan, do you book in a traditional hoel again or prefer to go to a hotel

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II. Surveying staff of Manouchehri Hotel 1) Sex: 2) Position: 3) How long are you working at the actual position? 4) Have you served in another hotel before you come to Manouchehri House? 5) Do you stay nights in the hotel or your home? □ Yes □ No 6) Do you feel comfortable in the house? □ Yes □ No 7) Do you feel privacy in the house? □ Yes □ No 8) Do you think the house is friendly and welcoming? □ Yes □ No 9) Do you feel secure in the house? □ Yes □ No 10) What do you think about using a house as a hotel? 11) How do you describe the access from your home to the house? □ It is too far □ It is normal, I take bus or taxi to get to the work □ It is so near, I walk to the house 12) How do you describe the house’s position and access to the city center? 13) Have you ever heard any negative or positive feedbacks about the house from tourists who stay in the house? 14) Do you have a work room in the hotel? □ Yes □ No 15) Do you occupy the room alone or you share it with some other staff? 16) If you share, do you prefer to be alone? If yes, why? 17) How long are you occupying the current room? 18) Do you use your personal room after your shift is over? If yes, for what activities? 19) Have you changed the place of desk, closet, or other furniture since you occupied the room? Or do you mind to change anything? 20) How do you find room’s dimensions □ I have plenty of empty space □ Normal, I set furniture easily and I have easy circulation □ Small, I can hardly set furniture and circulation is enclosed 21) Are the closets and shelves enough? □ Yes □ No 22) Do you have enough space for personal belongings? □ Yes 146

□ No 23) How do you describe circulation in your room? □ It is vast and furniture are set properly so I walk around easily □ It is fair, I feel it could be better □ It is so close and walking without touching things is almost impossible 24) How do you describe cooling system? □ It is great and it makes the air chilly □ It is good but I feel warm sometimes □ It cannot chill out the room, the warmth is disturbing 25) How is the room’s temperature during warm weather? □ It is too hot, almost unbearable □ It is hot but tolerable □ It is normally warm 26) How is the inner temperature when a sudden change in weather happens? 27) How do you feel right now? □ Hot □ Warm □ Normal □ Chilly □ Cold 28) The noise coming from neighboring rooms: □ Is clear and disturbing □ Is vague and sometimes disturbing □ Is normal □ Is so little □ There is no noise at all 29) The noise coming from courtyard □ Is clear and disturbing □ Is vague and sometimes disturbing □ Is normal □ Is so little □ There is no noise at all 30) The noise coming from corridors □ Is clear and disturbing □ Is vague and sometimes disturbing □ Is normal □ Is so little □ There is no noise at all 31) Is there any place which noises disturb you? 32) How do you describe the natural light in your room? □ It is too much sunlight here □ It is normal □ It lacks sunshine 33) How is the sunlight floor reflex in your room? □ Light reflex is to strong and disturbing □ It is normal □ There is no reflex 147

34) How is the position of electrical lighting? □ It is too light and bright □ It is normal □ It is almost dark and weak 35) How about the electrical shades and reflexes? □ It is disturbing and straight □ It is normal, not disturbing but considerable □ It is weak and rounded, does not disturb at all 36) How do you describe natural ventilation of your room? □ Good □ Fair □ Bad 37) Do the smells scented from the items in your room (such as wood smell and resins, carpets or rags, plastic items, and probable moisture of walls) disturbing? □ So disturbing □ Normal but considerable □ Slight □ There is no smell 38) How is moisture in your room? □ Too damp and permanent □ Normal and temporary □ Almost dry 39) How is the inner room weather when you do not open windows? □ It does not really differ □ It is better to open it once a while □ I hardly breathe when the windows are shut 40) How do you describe your access from your place to the places below: □ Courtyard □ Kitchen □ Café □ WC □ Shop □ Cinema □ Parking lot □ Mosque

41) When do you often use courtyard and for what activities? 42) Do you continue using the courtyard in the tourism seasons? 43) Did you bring personal stuff like television, family picture, painting, statue, personal belongings, or anything personal with you to your room? If yes, what they are? If no, why not? 44) Do you like this room of do you prefer to use another room in the building?

45) How do you feel about your room?

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I feel like I am in my own I do not feel homey home

I feel secure I feel unsecure

I feel privacy I do not feel privacy

I feel comfortable I do not feel comfortable

46) Which part of this building do you find beautiful the most? 47) From those parts occupied by the staff of the hotel which part do you like the most? 48) Feel free to answer “what factors attract your satisfactory of unsatisfactory over this building?”

III. Surveying civil servants of mansion of Boroujerdi Position:

How long are you working at the actual position?

Before you come to this organization, have you been working in another building?

How is working in traditional atmosphere?

Does it differ to a random office building?

Does it influence the working quality?

Does it influence the interconnection and friendly atmosphere between the colleagues?

How much do you belong yourself to the actual atmosphere?

Do you work in a room alone or you share it with other colleagues?

Do you prefer to work along or with your colleagues?

- How do you describe the dimensions of your work room? □ It is too large and too high □ It is large and high but it is not overpowering □ It is normal in any sense □ It is small - Is there any other room you would prefer to work in? - Do you have enough space to set your equipment and your desk easily? - Do you have enough shelves or cabinets to put your personal belongings? - Since you occupied the room have you ever changed the furniture or office equipment’s places? If yes, what did you change? - In the next month are you going to change anything’s place in the room? If so, what things? - How do you describe circulation in your room? 149

□ It is vast and furniture are set properly so I walk around easily □ It is fair, I feel it could be better □ It is so close and walking without touching things is almost impossible - How do you describe the natural light in your room? □ It is too much sunlight here □ It is normal □ It lacks sunshine - How is the sunlight floor reflex in your room? □ Light reflex is to strong and disturbing □ It is normal □ There is no reflex - How is the position of electrical lighting? □ It is too light and bright □ It is normal □ It is almost dark and weak - How about the electrical shades and reflexes? □ It is disturbing and straight □ It is normal, not disturbing but considerable □ It is weak and rounded, does not disturb at all - How do you describe the acoustic factor in your room? □ Noises from outside comes into the room and my voice as well for outside □ Noises coming from outside are not clear and understandable □ There is no noise passing - Do the noises coming from the sounds from next rooms disturb? □ Yes it is too strong □ It is normal and not annoying □ There is no noise at all - Does your colleagues’ speaking interrupt you while they speak in normal or low voice? - Does the room echoes your voices? Does it affect you? □ Yes, talking voices echo in the room and it is annoying □ Yes, sounds echo but does not influence □ No, there is no echo at all - How do you describe the warmth of your room during cold season? □ It is too warm, irritatingly warm □ It is warm and comfortable □ It is almost warm, but not so convenient □ It is so cold - How about cold seasons? □ It is extremely cool □ It is comfortably cold □ It is not as cool as to be comfortable □ It is hot, I am not relax then - Do you use natural air circulation during warm season, opening windows and doors? - If yes, how do you describe it? □ It is practical and helpful □ It depends on winds, partially cooling 150

□ I open it but the air stream is too low - How is the room’s inner weather during a sudden climatic change? - How do you find it right now? - Does your room have ventilation? - Do you have ventilation device or use windows to refresh the air? - How is natural circulation in your room? □ it is great □ It is efficient □ It is poor - How about device ventilation? □ It is great □ It is efficient, we may open windows too □ It cannot refresh the air - Do the smells emerged from the things in the room such as rugs, furniture, wood, curtains, etc. disturb? □ It is to smelly and the smells are bold □ It is normal, the smells are strong but not disturbing □ There is not smell or so slight - How is the moisture condition in your room? □ It is damp and permanent □ It is damp sometimes but it is temporary □ It is totally dry - How do you describe the accessibility of the places below to your room?

□ Parking lot □ Mosque □ Kitchen □ Café □ WC □ Courtyard - How much of the room you occupied do you use? - Do you asked the office for extra furniture, desk, table or whatever needs space? - Do you have personal stuff like paintings, pets or family pictures, sculpture, a vase of flowers, decorations, your personal office items or any electronic devices like coffee maker, tea maker, TV or fridge? If yes, note them please. - How often do you use the courtyards? - How often do you walk in the touristic part of the house? - Is there any part in the entire building you would like to spend a while for relaxing? - Which part of the entire building do you like the most? - Which part of the building would you like to be your office instead of the actual room? - For what factors you like or dislike your workplace?

- In the table below please mark how do you feel in your room?

151

I do not feel belonging to I feel belonging to here here

I feel secure I feel unsecure

I feel privacy I do not feel privacy

I feel comfortable I do not feel comfortable

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