An Investigation of the Architectural Structure of Façades in Houses of Tabriz in Qajar and Early Pahlavi I Era

The present study was intended to examine the architectural styles and methods in residential buildings of the city of Tabriz in Qajar and early Pahlavi I era as an attempt to improve the residential space and give identity to the buildings and the urban spaces of Tabriz. The study aims to figure out the existing concepts and the conditions in these residential buildings so that the modern buildings would be designed with regard to these concepts and covert values in Iranian houses. Dull and unappealing architectural quality of houses, inconsistency and the eradication and lack of the long-established originality in contemporary houses has obliged different societies to find a solution to this issue. Although some studies have been conducted with regard to the houses of Tabriz, they have not produced comprehensive and outstanding findings. Hence, as a reaction against this lack of research, the present study adopted a descriptive-analytical and library approaches to conduct a primary and original research to examine the organization and structuring methods of façades in Qajar and early Pahlavi I era. The purpose of the study was to identify the notions and concepts, pinpoint the necessary requirements and create a comprehensive view of the different dimensions of the long-established concepts and notions in order to construct buildings and complexes which would be more consistent and congruous with the needs of human beings. Having optimally used space and location, the Iranian architect incorporated all the necessary components in line with a certain purpose within a well-organized and useful complex and hence constructed the house with regard to its context and situation so that all the components were taken into account. Results of the study not only revealed the rational and perfect presence of designing elements in the façades of old houses in Tabriz but also demonstrated the preciseness and rigor of the Iranian architect in structuring and adapting the façades so that they would respond to human beings’ needs and create an innovative manifestation and establish a distinctive identity to the life and urban spacees.