A Review on the efficiency of using natural ventilation in traditional architecture (Case study: nor by Journal of Research in Ecology

Journal of Research in Ecology

ISSN No: Print: 2319 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1546; Online: 2319â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1554

An International Scientific Research Journal

Review

Journal of Research in Ecology

A Review on the efficiency of using natural ventilation in traditional architecture (Case study: northern Iran, Qajarieh era houses) Authors: Nilgoun Eslami1 and Babak Fazli Malidareh2

Institution: 1. Department of Architecture, Gonbad Kavoos Branch, Islamic Azad University, Golestan, Iran. 2. Department of Civil Engineering, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mazandaran, Iran.

ABSTRACT: One of the main problems in human life is achieving an inexhaustible source of energy. One of the most important renewable energies is wind and human being has been always thinking about application of this energy in industry and construction of buildings. Oldest method of using wind energy is documented in returns to ancient Iran. For the first time, Iranians succeeded to invent waterwheels by using wind force and send water from their water wells to farms. In Iranian traditional architecture, natural ventilation was the main part of building design that came to existence by creating natural air current into buildings. Native architecture reached to a phenomenon of stable architecture. For example, in North of Iran (Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan Provinces) architecture in humid and moderate weather, as a sample of native architecture mixed with nature, has an ancient history in which a soothing space compatible to climate was created by considering nature. This architecture guaranteed its stability by using ecological buildings and proper storage of energy resources that one of the main samples is in Qajarieh era and has considerable importance in art and architecture history of Iran because in that period, based on architecture of their ancestors heritage and also intercommunication with west, salient revolutions and innovation produced in domain of art and architecture. This review was aimed in identifying stable architecture and useful alternatives that were used for utilizing air current in humid and moderate climate. Keywords: Wind energy, Natural ventilation, Stable architecture, Native architecture, Qajarieh era

Corresponding author: Nilgoun Eslami

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Article Citation: Nilgoun Eslami and Babak Fazli Malidareh A Review on the efficiency of using natural ventilation in traditional architecture (case study: northern Iran, Qajarieh era houses) Journal of Research in Ecology (2017) 5(1):741-750 Dates: Received: 01 April 2017

Web Address: http://ecologyresearch.info/ documents/EC0346.pdf

Journal of Research in Ecology An International Scientific Research Journal

Accepted: 05 May 2017 Published: 12 Jun 2017

This article is governed by the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0), which gives permission for unrestricted use, non-commercial, distribution and reproduction in all medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

741-750| JRE | 2017 | Vol 5 | No 1

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Eslami and Malidareh, 2017 INTRODUCTION Since the origin, humans received help from the nature for securing themselves from natured forces and had shelter in caves and, trees and among stones (Ahmadpour, 2015). He did invariable initiatives for organizing environment around himself to meet his primary needs (Shoaee and Arabesmaili, 2013) and gradually learned to make his shelter more stably and then the world's different civilizations used their special methods by considering special conditions of climate and human was always looking for creation of biological environment to meet his emotional and physical needs and used

Figure 1. An example of aristocratic Qajari house, Amirnezam house, Tabriz (https://www.panoramio.com/user/7096451)

environmental conditions for his interests and made more comfortable houses by using sun, wind and water.

able energies because of its proper geographical loca-

Four decades prior to BC, Aristotle and one decade

tion (Tabriz et al., 2012). One of the renewable energies

press to BC, Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, a Roman archi-

is wind. So in the past, Iranian architects used wind fac-

tect, talked about the method of using wind in architec-

tor for moderating heat inside houses, salons and reser-

ture and construction. Among them, Iran's traditional

voirs. They could make the best coordination with envi-

architecture was one of the best examples of climatic

ronments by natural resources and pure energies in dif-

architecture which had the most desirable solutions for

ferent climates and provided the best biological require-

survival of biology and human welfare and desires using

ments with limitations and equipmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Shahamipour

natural energies. Iran has enormous resources of renew-

and Farzanmanesh, 2015; Utaberta et al., 2012). North

Figure 2. The impact of favorable wind on three northern provinces of Iran (https://www.britannica.com/place/Iran) 742

Journal of Research in Ecology (2017) 5(1):741â&#x20AC;&#x201C;750

Eslami and Malidareh, 2017

Figure 3. Ventilated by natural air flow (Tahbaz and Jalilian, 2011) of Iran architecture is one of the successful samples of

Fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas are

native architecture that has mixed with nature in such a

currently the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary energy sources. The

way that is pure of natural context and environment

heavy dependence on the fossil fuel in 20th century

around it (Peirov and Farivar, 2015). The purpose of

largely reduced the natural reserve of it (Bhandari et al.,

this view is identifying ecological elements used in nat-

2015). The issue of energy and the ways of taking the

ural ventilation of Qajarieh buildings in humid and

advantage of natural and renewable ones are the most

moderate climates.

important which attract attentions nowadays (Kalantari

Alternative Energy

et al., 2015).

Alternative energy i.e. renewable energy for producing these kinds of energy resources without car-

Kinds of renewable energies used at Qajarieh Wind Energy

bon is used. These kinds of energies donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have disad-

At the present time, we are able to predict wind

vantages of fossil fuels like increase of carbon dioxide

current position and their effect on all structural collec-

concentration and finally increase of earth temperature,

tions by using architecture aerodynamic science. With

weather changes and environmental pollution. In addi-

the help of this science, one can investigate wind cur-

tion, the resources of their production are inexhaustible

rents by using wind tunnel or using theoretical methods

limitless.

and mathematical calculations and impose required corrections before designing.

Figure 4 . Extraversion and openness of the 4 sides in Amirlatifi house, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/411516484678121816/) Journal of Research in Ecology (2017) 5(1):741â&#x20AC;&#x201C;750

Figure 5. Summer setting room of Bagheri house, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran

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Eslami and Malidareh, 2017

Figure 7. Exposure of openers of Taqavi house, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran

Figure 6. Summer setting room of Bagheri house, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran Architecture in Qajarieh era (1796-1925 AD) Totally, architecture of Qajarieh period is divid-

to dilation and old patterns of Iran architecture are accomplished for dilating space. In summary, if we con-

ed into two general periods

sider architecture development, dilation, transparency

The first period (Agha Mohammad Khan’s monarchy

and levitation of spaces, architecture of this period is

to the end of Mohammad Shah’s monarchy)

proposed as a development stage of Iranian old architec-

In this period, dominant look on architecture

ture. We should consider that, the end of Qajar era was

was on introvert look and based on Isfahan style and its

coincident with the time origin of modern architecture

accomplishment such as St. Masoumeh shrine in Qom

which was established in Europe and some typical con-

and Soltani mosque (http://arktourism.ir).

structions of modern architecture became viable. In fact,

The Second Period (Naseroddin Shah monarchy to the

Qajar architecture promoted principles and old patterns

end of Qajar dynasty government)

of Iranian architecture and created some innovations

In this period, an architectural style began in the

spatially (Figure 2) (http://www.islamicartz.com)

effect of Naseroddin Shah based on his posterity trips

Macro characteristics of architecture in Qajarieh

and also sending some Iranian students to Europe and

period

being affected by government parties and elites of socie-



ty. This architectural style is a compound of native and western architecture (Qasemi et al., 2015). Qajar architecture is divided in the Isfahanian

tiles 

Using crenation beside castles roof



Decorative elements and facing influenced by west-

method, but in this period, a new method was made in architecture that was again based on Isfahan style and

ern elements 

Tehran style, is a compound of Iranian noble architecture with western architecture. (Qasemi et al., 2015). Qajar architecture promoted the principles and

Using purple or red color in seven-colors of adobe

Construction of huge and high "Iwan" (balcony) in entries



Construction centrality with columns and capitals



Constructions in elevated form showing grandness

old patterns of Iranian architecture and made innova-

and power

tions specially. Locality and degree of Qajar architec-



Stone, cement and iron materials

ture in history of Iranian past architecture (before new



Interior decorations

period) can be arguable and deliberative. Spaces reach 744

Journal of Research in Ecology (2017) 5(1):741–750

Eslami and Malidareh, 2017

Figure 8. Roof height in Fazeli house, Sari, Mazandaran, Iran (http://tripyar.com)

Figure 9. Taqavi house, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran plant fibers, stone, soil, etc., providing requested ener-



Construction of staircases in main axis

gies for ease with proper design of dilations and extro-



Respecting hierarchies

version of buildings with proper orientation, using tech-



Alteration of three valves to two valves

nology and native methods of making and creating de-



Housetop roof and construction of fields

sirable environments with natural energies and minimi-

Residential constructions in Qajarieh Period

zation of fossil energies are some ecological patterns in



Including central room, Iwan with two columns in

native architecture of northern Iran. Native construc-

front of it, small rooms around central room in a

tions of this area not only damage to their context but

simple and ample form

also play a role for improvement and its quality. Con-



Plans extended across construction



Construction of widespread landscape by windows



Springhouse shebang



Common funnel for construction of space



Construction of capitals and columns in entries



High "Iwan" porches



Construction of two-ways staircase in main axis



Alteration of three valves to two valves and entrance of direct light into construction



More variety and levity and dilation of spaces



Gradient roof and housetop



Mix of Iranian and European architecture (http://

struction is used as a member of natural cycle and for development of this cycle (Peirov and Farivar, 2015). North of Iran native architecture Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan Provinces Native architecture of northern Iran has the following characteristics. For preserving building from extra moisture of earth, houses were made over wooden legs, but moisture is less in foot of mountains. Houses were usually established over stone and mud feed and sometimes over the "Gorbeh ro" (catwalk) 

Iwan were made around rooms. 

www.islamicartz.com) Native architecture in Northern Iran Humid and moderate Climate Design and construction with climatic attitude for saving energy, using natural materials like wood,

Journal of Research in Ecology (2017) 5(1):741–750

For preserving rooms from rain, small and wide Most buildings were established with materials of minimum thermal capacity.



In all buildings of this area, without exception draught or natural ventilation are used.



Buildings were decentralized and sparse.

745

Eslami and Malidareh, 2017

Figure 10. Air exchange in Amirlatifi house, old Estrabad, Golestan, Iran

Figure 11. Kalagh Neshin of Agha Jan Nasab house

Plans of this area is widespread and open and this

ings. In addition, in hot regions and hot climate, wind

skeletal form is lengthy and narrow and with geo-

current is used for cooling environment and internal

metrical shapes.

space of buildings from one side, avoiding from unde-

Because of much rain, roofs were made gradient

sirable and intruder winds and their control are the main

(Kasmaei, 2012).

subjects that should be considered (Tahbaz and Jalilian,

Buildings have lengthy and narrow geometrical

2011).

shapes and are extended east-west.

Investigating sustainability elements in ecology using



 

renewable energy of wind in natural ventilation of

Natural Ventilation Natural ventilation means the movement of

Qajarieh buildings in northern Iran

fresh air inside building outside without using mechani-

In north of Iran’s traditional architecture, each

cal systems that ends in saving fossil energies. In this

part is a member of a regular and stable macro enviro-

process, air inside the building was heavy due to, skin

ment that plays a role in reacting with each other. Pre-

inspiration, cooking, smokes and similar cases and is

sent material, structuring methods, kind of buildings and

replaced with fresh and light air from outside (Tahbaz

their relation with design bed, all of them indicate bal-

and Jalilian, 2011; Schiller and Schille, 2000).

ance and dynamics of this architecture. Sustainability

The main advantage of utilization of natural

elements which played a role in natural ventilation of

ventilation in building design is not only reducing ener-

buildings by using wind energy is as follows:

gy consumption and cost, but also providing acceptable,

Dispersion and extroversion of building

conditions

Dispersion and extroversion of construction of

(Moosavi et al., 2014). Provision of fresh air with a con-

building was the best way in using wind current and air

nection to the outdoors, which are the main require-

ventilation in building (Figure 4). So, the building had

ments of natural ventilation, can be achieved by opena-

to be opened from two sides or four sides.

ble windows, double facades, ventilation stacks, balco-

Building orientation or direction

comfortable,

healthy

and

productive

nies, patios, terraces, atriums and gardens in a tall build-

It is one of the main works in buildings of Qajar

ing (Irwin, et al., 2008).

era and also Pahlavi era in north of Iran for ventilation

Using wind energy in architecture

and cooling by air, construction of north oriented build-

In climatic architecture, wind current is used for

ings and behind southern buildings was preferred. Be-

natural ventilation and renewal of air inside the build-

cause in north of this area, there is the Caspian whose

746

Journal of Research in Ecology (2017) 5(1):741–750

Eslami and Malidareh, 2017

Figure 12. Gorbehro in Agha Jan Nasab house building, Babol, Mazandaran, Iran

Figure 13. Iwan of Bagheries house, old Estrabad, Golestan, Iran

air flows from north to south and this causes natural

more especially in warm months of year in upstairs. In

ventilation of air. Also in winter, the southern side has

fact, it was the coolest room of house because there

more sunshades and as a result it is heated and north

were two corridors in front of each other that one of

side is shaded and is cooler.

them was in north side and the other in south side and

Plurality and exposure of openers

air moved into this space with more pressure from north

In the north of Iran’s traditional architecture,

to south and moved out of this space with more pres-

openers are used more in front of each other, in order to

sure. As a result, this part of house had more air current

flow air well into building. Of course it should be men-

and natural ventilation was better.

tioned that the number of higher or upper floor openers

Construction of stairs in mid-space of building

was usually more than lower floor ones (Figure 5) Height of the building roof

In many buildings of Qajar era and also Pahlavi, stairs were made in mid-space of building because of

It was the main principle that was considered

more air current to have natural ventilation (Figure 7).

more by most of the architects of that time. Height of

In other words, a kind of air movement was from up to

down floors was made less than upper floors (Figure 6).

down and from down to up (Dashti, 2013).

As an example height of the ground floors was made

Kalagh Neshin

about two meters and these rooms were called winter-

In traditional constructions with humid and

setting rooms. Because of shorter roof and also fewer

moderate climate, a reticulated valve was made for en-

number of openers, airflow was less and thermal ex-

tering air outside in to the space. As seen in Figure 8,

change was less in open spaces and as a result, internal

"Kalagh Neshin" was the highest part of building and

space became warm earlier and height of upper floors

airflow directed from outside into buildings and caused

were made about four meters and they were called sum-

natural ventilation between spaces of house, like Bâdgir

mer-setting rooms. Because of roaf height and also

operation in dry and hot climates. Fixing and repairing

more number of openers and as a result using better

roof cracks were other applications of "Kalagh

airflow, space became cool earlier (Dashti, 2013).

Neshin" (Dashti, 2013).

Construction of a small room between rooms around

Gorbehro

In many buildings of that period, a small room

As seen in Figure 9, Gorbehro is a canal made

was made between other two rooms for cooling space

under building and taking moisture from foundation of

Journal of Research in Ecology (2017) 5(1):741–750

747

Eslami and Malidareh, 2017 ing and coordination of building with nature. Those days, architects used some techniques that nowadays engineers neglected or forgot them. By the development of modern architecture and extra dependency of human on technology, native architecture and in following native oriented architecture are less argued. Also progressive utilization of fossil energies put the world into crisis of finishing energy resources and this case caused Figure 14. Iwan of Osia house, Babol, Mazandaran, Iran

inexpiable damages to our environment. Traditional architecture while energy consumption has not been defined as today, have utilized some passive design

building and direct towards up and removes moisture.

methods by attending to the potentials of the region and

"Gorbehros" have a main role in lowering degree of

made them highlight. Air conditioning and mechanical

moisture and hence flowing wind inside the space of

ventilation have been for decades the standard method

house causes cooling air inside (Dashti, 2013).

of environmental control in many building types. Global

Iwan

warming, pollution and dwindling energy supplies have In Persian language, Iwan means 'portico, open

lead to a new environmental approach in building de-

gallery, porch or palace' and the word lwan in Arabic

sign. Innovative technologies along with bioclimatic

covers the Persian concept (Reuther, 1967). Iwan is one

principles and traditional design strategies are often

of the historical elements of Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s architecture that is

combined to create new and potentially successful de-

considered as a main innovation in native architecture.

sign solutions. In Iranian traditional architecture, natural

This element was designed by climatic method and was

ventilation was the main part of building design, but

known as a ventilating system and provides pleasant

nowadays optimal utilization of wind energy was ne-

ventilation by using renewable energy (Mirhadi and

glected very much. Therefore, according to this fact that

Sanaee, 2014). Also it is the semi-open space of house

wind energy is more economical than other pure ener-

that is the main and most applicable space which has

gies, it is necessary to apply the solution for decrease of

multiple operations (Diba and Yaghini, 1993). Iwan is

using fossil fuels and using stable patterns according to

in the middle and semi-open space in hierarchy and is

climates as a step for preserving our environment.

available from open to close space (Armaghan and Gorji, 2009). This element was in Safavi architecture but

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