An Investigation on Interior Spaces Related to Ornamentations (Based on Material) of Selected Spatial Houses of “Kashan” (IRAN) in QAJAR Period (19th)

Iran is a country with ancient history and architecture. Iranian architecture basically is classified in general in two periods; before and after Islam. One of the significant periods of Iranian architecture was during the Qajar dynasty in the 19th century. Housing is a very important topic in Iranian traditional architecture and house has a close relation with the Iranian culture. Moreover the diversity of climatic zones in Iran has led to creation of various types of architecture in different parts of the country. One of the considerable cities from Qajar period is Kashan, which is located in the hot and arid climatic zone. Due to the climate houses in Kashan are known as 4 season houses and were built by specific materials. The four season house layout has been formed because of hot summer sun and cold winter nights in this area. In this manner, one part of the house is facing the sun and is used during the winter, but the other part of the house is on the opposite side and is used during the hot summer. This is the framework that makes specific characteristics for Iranian architecture in the houses of this climate. It also makes the design of houses mostly introverted; and it is also a feature of Iranian culture, which means that privacy is greatly respected in the culture of this country and it is reflected in its architecture. One noteworthy feature of Iranian architecture in traditional housing is that ornamentations which were mostly used in interior spaces. “Talar” and “The King Room” were two parts of Iranian traditional houses that contained the richest and most luxurious ornamentations of all spaces in the house. These two parts are located in summer residence and winter residence, which were used to be the place for special events, ceremonies and big family gatherings. In this study elements of the interior ornamentation in summer and winter residence of some cases from Kashan will be analyzed. The main ornamental elements are brick work, plaster molding, tiling, mirror work, Moqarnas, stucco and different types of windows, which are analyzed in two summer and winter residences. Plaster molding, painting, sharp and shiny colors, high domed ceilings and Ivan are the elements of the “Talar” and “King Room” in summer residences of these houses; and windows were utilized in order to circulate the air and day lighting in these houses. Keywords: Iranian Islamic Architecture, “Qajar period”, “Kashan” City, Four Season Houses, Interior Ornamentation