|
|
Reprinted from:
Memar magazine
Fall 2003
|
|
.
Research:
Iran
|
.
The Architecture
of Birjand City
.
|
|
Architecture
|
|
By:
Zohreh BozorgNia, Iran |
.
In this article, the
local traditional architecture of Birjand is studied,
together with its contemporary architecture up to the
time of Pahlavi the Second. The buildings of Birjand
are discussed from two points of view: function and
aesthetics. The function of the buildings has been
segregated into two groups: public and private. In the
aesthetic evaluation of the buildings, the following
items have been taken into consideration:
- The kind of material used and the different
ways of their combination
- The form of plan, volumes and building elements and
also their arrangement rules
- Proportions and the relation between the surface of
full and empty parts of the facades
- Building ornaments, such as brickwork, tile work,
stonework, woodwork, etc. Patterns, color production,
texture and color combination has been discussed.
- Constructional methods, including load-bearing and
partition elements
- Different kinds of vaults
- Harmony or disharmony between different parts and
also between the building and the environment
The characteristics of 16 residential buildings are
categorized as follows:
- The roofing of all residential units consists of
vaults and domes. However, Tarami's (verandas in front
of the rooms) have flat roof, made of laths and
slates.
- Adobe is the dominant material of the buildings in
this city. The roofs and some of the walls are covered
with mud straw mixture. The main facade of each
building faces a courtyard and most of the time its
finishing consists of brickwork and occasionally a
combination of brick and stucco. Stone is also used in
the Socle of some buildings. However, Socle is usually
made of bricks, but in a pattern different from that
of the rest of the facade.
- Most of the houses have brickwork in their facades.
- In Birjand and its suburbs, there are a number of
castles, dating back to the time when safekeeping of
the city was a primary concern. Birjand is built upon
hills. The residential buildings, next to the castle,
are made of adobe and have a mud straw mixture
finishing (in some case also mixed with gypsum). The
combination of these houses forms an organic texture
with narrow crooked streets influenced by the slope of
the hill.
- In the flat areas around the castle, one could see a
number of public buildings, such as caravansaries,
mostly made of adobe and with mud-straw-gypsum mixture
finishing. The city's bazaar is next to the castle.
Birjand's Bazaar is not roofed, except for a small
part. One can also see a number of "Saras"
next to the bazaar. The facade of the bazaar has
brickwork ornamentation in some parts.
- In the historic part of the city, the city profile
generally consists of mud straw mix facades, dome and
barrel vaults roofs and brickwork portals. As a result
of introversion of city's architecture, the connection
between the interior space of the houses and the
alleys is limited to the main entrance.
The most dominant ornamentation in Birjand is
the brickwork at the portals. These portals have
various patterns and are made of different types of
bricks.
.
|
| . |
|
|
Research:
Architecture
|
|
. |
|
