Family structure and housing Investigating the effect of family structure changes on houses' spatial organization (A case study of the houses of Yazd)

Iran's widespread developments influenced by the industrial revolution led to a lot of changes in family structure and by changing the function of family and the roles and relations of family members, paved the way for a change in the houses' spatial organization. Therefore, the main question addressed in this study is: ‘What changes are brought about in the space organization of houses of Yazd as a consequence of changes in the family structure?’ The strategy of research is qualitative and the method is grounded theory. The results of the present study revealed that every change in family structure has an equivalent effect on houses’ spatial organization. In fact, with the horizontalization of the pyramid of power and the creation of democracy in the family, the house has also become democratic and age and gender hierarchies have been eliminated from the organization of spaces. Besides, with the increase of individuality in the family, the organization of housing spaces has also changed in order to create distinct personal realms and eliminate the continuity and fluidity of the space. Moreover, by eliminating many of the functions and duties of the family, the functions and duties of the house have also changed such that it has become just a place for resting.