Abstract:
Vernacular architecture of Iran is a result of a
long term process of social and cultural
development which has expanded all over the
country. The hot and humid region of Iran
situates in a long and thin coastline of the
north side of the Persian Gulf. Kish Island,
with more than 1,000 years of history, is
located in this region with the same social and
climatic factors. Vernacular houses of Old
Saffein village are the best examples of the
harmony among human, construction and the
natural environment on Kish Island. This
article seeks to emphasize the architectural
concepts and ideas, as well as materials and
technology which are applied in the
vernacular architecture of Old Saffein, the last
remaining vernacular architecture of Kish
Island. To find its unique features, the study
overviews background of the island by
archival and observation methods. In addition
a study on appearance of the vernacular
houses by physical observation is used. This
results in an analysis of vernacular knowledge
of houses in Old Saffein village, to establish
specific features which can be applied for
guiding the process of developing
contemporary housing appropriate for Kish
Island community.
