Abstract:
Climate is one of the many factors such as socio-cultural values, economics, materials,
administrative factors and technology that influence architectural forms. The climatic solutions effecting on architecture, differ in various regions, cultures, time and technology. The climate of the province of Golestan plays an active role in the formation and diversity of vernacular dwellings. This region is in contact with numerous environmental factors. It is limited by Alborz Mountain in the south, by Turkmenistan desert in the north-east, and by Caspian Sea in the north-west bringing about high humidity in this province. With this background, the paper's question raised: "How do the climatic design principles of vernacular architecture respond to microclimates in this region?" In this paper, the focus is on building's envelopes and shells in three local climatic scopes of the region. The paper is based on a combination of research methodologies: field research (integrating case studies) and archival research. The climatic data are being analyzed by Mahoney tables providing preliminary design recommendations. They are grouped under eight headings: layout, spacing, ventilation, openings (size, position and protection), the relation between building and ground, veranda, wall and roof. This essay argues about the knowledge and skill of vernacular and traditional bioclimatic construction suggesting conceptual strategies for improve current dwelling aiming to a sustainable future.
Machine summary:
The aim of this paper is to evaluate the role of building envelope in vernacular and traditional architecture in three separate climatic zones in Golestan province, according to the type of construction, climatic performance of building envelope, and climatic elements and parts used in the body of buildings.
The second part analyzes the building envelope, method of construction and their relation with environment at each identified types of the architecture in the region by studying the elements and components used in the building envelope and shell of vernacular houses.
MATERIALS AND METHODS In this paper, three different types of architecture in Golestan province have been identified consisting of urban residential units in plain and flatlands, residential units in hillside areas as well as villagous residential units in steep of mountains.
These are: a) the layout of the buildings (orientation in relation to sunshine and wind, aspect ratio); b) spacing; c) Ventilation; d) openings (size-position, protection); e) walls (materials-thickness); f) roofs.
Recommended specifications for southern shores of Caspian sea region including Golestan province: a) Layout: orientation north and south (long axis east-west); b) spacing: open spaces for breeze penetration, but protection from hot and cold winds; c) Ventilation: rooms should be single banked with permanent provision for ventilation; d) openings: medium level of openings, 25-40%; protection of openings: protection from rain; position of openings: in windward side at body height; e) walls: light walls, low thermal capacity, short time lag; f) roofs: light, insulated roofs (Ibid).