Role of Geometry in Formation of Traditional Iranian Houses

Abstract

Use of geometry in Iranian architecture and art has a long history. Geometry has been one of the most important design instruments, both in pre-Islamic and Islamic Iran, through which subjective and spiritual ideas have been materialized, and presented in form of architecture and art. Given abstract quality of geometry and Islamic view of architecture and art, role of geometry became much more important in Islamic period. Therefore, as an instrument, geometry has a very important and effective role in formation of Islamic Iranian geometry. Such effect manifests itself in plan, size and architectural decorations. Such role and effect is visible in residential architecture as well, and geometry has been used in all processes and steps of design and all details of building. This paper aims to study role of geometry in formation of traditional Iranian houses. For this purpose, analytic-descriptive method, library study (books, Persian and Latin papers, pictures and drawings), review of relevant literature, direct observation, and analysis of many instances of traditional houses, were used to study role of geometry in formation of traditional Iranian houses.