Showing 1 results for The Houses of Rasht City – Residential Plans – Space Syntax – the Evolution of Architecture
Amir Hossein Bagheri, Mojgan Khakpour, Amena Agharabi,
Volume 36, Issue 1 (1-2026)
Abstract
The studies of Iranian architecture, especially in the contemporary era, have often been centered around monumental buildings in each period and their analysis. Residential buildings, as one of the most widespread urban elements, have received comparatively less attention, even though the importance of documenting them is evident, regardless of associated debates. This study examines the physical transformations, spatial connections, and functional uses of houses in the city of Rasht. To achieve this, the research employs the Space Syntax analysis method, analyzing 24 case studies of houses in Rasht from the Qajar period to the present and producing justified graphs. Using a qualitative approach and inductive reasoning, the study identifies patterns of layout changes across historical periods. The results outline the evolution of residential layouts in four stages: the Qajar era, the First Pahlavi period, the Second Pahlavi period, and the Islamic Republic. The findings show extensive transformations in Rasht’s houses across all aspects under study: minor changes began in the First Pahlavi period, paving the way for broader transformations in subsequent years; the Second Pahlavi period witnessed comprehensive shifts that redefined domestic space; and finally, during the Islamic Republic era, houses assumed the form in which they are designed and used today.
