Housing serves a dual purpose as both shelter and a vital contributor to human health and comfort. While traditional architecture successfully integrated medical and environmental knowledge to create health-oriented designs, contemporary housing often prioritizes economic factors over biological well-being, effectively transferring responsibility for occupant health from architects to medical professionals. This study investigates healthy housing patterns in hot, dry climates, using Kashan, Iran as a case study due to its well-preserved traditional houses and representative climate conditions.
Employing qualitative methods with analytical and logical reasoning, the research examines traditional and modern houses through the lens of medical and architectural knowledge. The urban scale analysis reveals important patterns in residential block orientation and the structure of closed versus open spaces, proposing both ideal configurations and corrective measures for current housing. At the architectural scale, the study identifies critical zoning considerations addressing air quality, sleep cycles, and physical movement patterns.
Spatial design patterns emerge for various house components, including outdoor spaces like yards and roofs, transitional spaces such as porches and terraces, and interior spaces ranging from living areas to service spaces. These patterns demonstrate how traditional design principles responsive to climate and human biology can inform contemporary housing reform.
As global temperatures rise, the research offers timely solutions for healthier living in hot, arid regions by bridging historical wisdom with modern needs. The findings provide architects with actionable models to reintegrate health as a fundamental design priority, particularly relevant for regions facing increasing climate challenges. The study ultimately advocates for a return to more holistic design approaches that prioritize occupant well-being alongside functional and economic considerations.
