Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development

Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development

Assessing the Relationship Between Ivān in Traditional Mazandaran Architecture and the Sense of Place from the Perspective of Housewives: A Case Study of Rural Houses in Qaemshahr

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Rouhollah Rahimi 1
Zahra Yousefi 2
Hesam Nadalian 3
1 Associate Professor at the University of Mazandaran
2 Master’s graduate in Architectural Engineering from University of Mazandaran
3 Master’s Graduate in Information Technology from the Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University, Tehran
10.22034/aaud.2026.505286.2950
Abstract
Ivān, as one of the prominent elements of vernacular architecture in the traditional buildings of Mazandaran, plays a significant role in spatial organization and the daily interactions of residents. The present research aims to evaluate the relationship between the Ivān and the sense of place attachment from the perspective of housewives living in traditional rural houses of Qaemshahr. Methodologically, the study is applied in purpose and employs a mixed-method approach (qualitative–quantitative). Data were collected through library studies, field observations, and a researcher-designed questionnaire. The statistical population consists of 75 housewives residing in traditional rural houses of Qaemshahr, selected using purposive sampling. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM) in SmartPLS software. The findings reveal that the Ivān, as a vital spatial element in Mazandaran’s traditional houses, not only moderates climatic conditions, but also functions as an intermediate space between the interior and exterior of the dwelling. It provides a suitable setting for women’s daily activities and social interactions, thereby strengthening their emotional attachment to the home and its surrounding environment. Furthermore, the results highlight that respect for nature, family interaction, and engagement with the outdoor environment through the Ivān play a crucial role in enhancing living quality and spatial identity. Overall, the study demonstrates a direct and significant relationship between the Ivān and the reinforcement of place attachment from the viewpoint of housewives. It emphasizes the need to reconsider vernacular architectural patterns and reinterpret the functional and cultural role of the Ivān in contemporary design, proposing it as a valuable model for improving quality of life, strengthening spatial identity, and achieving sustainable architecture within residential contexts.
Keywords
Ivān
Temperate and humid climate
Traditional buildings
Sense of belonging
Ami Ahmadi, Mahdieh. 2015. “Jayegh-e Ivan dar Banaha-ye Sonnati-ye Eqlim-e Mo’tadel va Mortub (ba Did-e Kolli be Khane-ha-ye Sonnati-ye Ostan-e Mazandaran).” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Modern Research in Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Planning. SID. https://sid.ir/paper/858164/fa. [in Persian]
Awad, Reham. 2019. “The Social Significance of Semi-Open Domestic Spaces for Women: A Comparative Study.” Journal of Housing and the Built Environment 34(2): 437-454. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-018-9636-4.
Ching, Francis D. K. 2003. Architecture: Form, Space, and Order. Translated by Zahra Qaragozlu. Tehran: Soroush. [in Persian].
Chowdhury, Soumyen. 2016. “Balconies and Verandas: Semi-Open Spaces in Domestic Architecture.” International Journal of Architectural Heritage 10(3): 289-305. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2015.1006772.
Diba, Darab, and Shahriar Yaghini. 1993. “Architecture and Urban Planning: Special Issue on Gilan.” Memari va Shahrsazi 24: 6-16. [in Persian]
Falakian, Narges. 2014. “Barrasi-ye Memari-ye Biroon-Gara-ye Eqlim-e Mo’tadel va Mortub.” In Proceedings of the National Conference on Energy Consumption Optimization in Science and Engineering. [in Persian]
Foruzanmehr, Ali. 2015. “People’s Perception of the Loggia: A Vernacular Passive Cooling System in Iranian Architecture.” Sustainable Cities and Society 19: 61-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2015.07.003.
Galogahi, Somayeh Zakiyan, Masoomeh Majidaee, and Hashemiyeh Mohaqeq Beheshti. 2016. “Effects of Window Position on Natural Cross Ventilation in Vernacular Architecture of Mazandaran (Case Study: Sari).” Journal of Fundamental and Applied Sciences 8(2S): 567-586.
Gorji Mahlabani, Yousef, and Kimia Daneshvar. 2010. “Tasir-e Eqlim bar Shakl-Giri-ye Onsor-ha-ye Memari-ye Sonnati-ye Gilan.” Bahar va Tabestan 12: 135-146. [in Persian]
Haeri, Mohammadreza. 1995. Pazhohishi Darbare-ye Karbord-e Osoul-e Memari-ye Khaneh-ye Sonnati va Tarikhi dar Tarahi-ye Maskan-e Emroozi. Vols. 1 and 3. Tehran: Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. [in Persian]
Jafari, Elham, and Fatemeh Ramazani. 2013. “Barrasi-ye Ivan va Telar be-Onvan-e Unsur-i Paydar bar Kalebed-e Memari-ye Bumi-ye Gilan.” In Proceedings of the National Conference on Sustainable Architecture and Urban Development. [in Persian]
Jafi Tirtashi, Forugh, and Abbasali Ranjbar Kouchesarayi. 2014. “Jayegh-e Ivan dar Memari-ye Bumi-ye Tabarestan.” In Proceedings of the Second National Conference on Tabristan Art. [in Persian]
Javadi, Asia. 1984. Memari-ye Iran be Qalam-e 33 Pazhuheshgar-e Irani. Tehran: Nashr-e Mojaddad. [in Persian]
Kasmaei, Morteza. 2010. Climatic Design: Zoning and Guidelines for Moderate Climates (Guilan and Mazandaran Provinces). Tehran: Building and Housing Research Centre.
Low, Setha M. 2000. On the Plaza: The Politics of Public Space and Culture. Austin: University of Texas Press.
Mahmoudi, Abdollah. 2005. “Baznegari-ye Ahammiyat-e Ivan dar Khaneh-ha-ye Sonnati (ba Negah-e Vizheh be Bam).” Honarhaye Ziba (22): 53-62. https://sid.ir/paper/5820/fa. [in Persian]
Matini, Mohammad Reza, Nadiyeh Imani, and Seyyed Amin Hosseini. 2021. “Barrasi-ye Balkon-ha-ye Taghyir-Pazir Sazgar ba Mohit va Niyaz-e Sakenan dar Mojtama-ha-ye Maskuni.” Andisheh-nameh-ye Memari 1(2): 95-105. [in Persian]
Mehrinejad Khotbehsara, Elham, Pegah Eghbal, and Sara Nourmusavi Nasab. 2016. “Porch and Balcony as Sustainable Architecture Factors in Vernacular Houses of West of Guilan: Case Studies in Khotbehara, Iran.” World Rural Observations 8(3): 48-56.
Mousavi, Seyed Mohsen, and Hesameddin Talebi. 2008. Amuzeh-ha-ye Memari-ye Savadkuh. Tehran: Shelfin. [in Persian]
Nasrallahi, Abdollah, and Narges Afzali. 2013. “Ivan: A Sustainable Pattern in Iranian Architecture.” In Proceedings of the National Conference on Architecture, Culture, and Urban Management. [in Persian]
Nozari, Sholeh. 2004. “Rahnamud-ha-ye Tarahi-ye Fazaha-ye Baz-e Maskuni.” Saffeh 39: 45-56. [in Persian]
Pour-Deyhimi, Shahram. 2003. “Fazaha-ye Baz dar Majmoo’e-ha-ye Maskuni.” Saffeh 13(36): 36-51. [in Persian]
Qobadian, Vahid. 2013. Barrasi-ye Eqlimi-ye Abnieh-ye Sonnati-ye Iran. Tehran: University of Tehran Press. [in Persian]
Rahimi, Rouhollah, & Razani, Farnaz. 2022. “Assessing the Relationship between Physical Healing Components of Educational Environments and Mental Health of Users (Case Study: Students of University of Mazandaran).” Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 24(8): 115-132. https://doi.org/10.30495/jest.2022.61216.5410. [in Persian]
Relph, Edward. 1976. Place and Placelessness. London: Pion.
Ribeiro, Catarina, Nuno M. M. Ramos, and Inês Flores-Colen. 2020. “A Review of Balcony Impacts on the Indoor Environmental Quality of Dwellings.” Sustainability 12(16): 6453. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166453.
Sa’dinia, Kobra, Hassan Sajadzadeh, and Ali Alaei. 2013. “Amalkard-e Ivan dar Khaneh-ha-ye Sonnati dar Eqlim-ha-ye Mokhtalef-e Iran.” In Proceedings of the First National Conference on Architecture, Restoration, Urbanism, and Sustainable Environment. [in Persian]
Saremi, Ali Akbar, and Taghi Radmard. 1997. Arzesh-ha-ye Paydar dar Memari-ye Iran. Tehran: Organization of Cultural Heritage Publications. [in Persian]
Saremi, Hamidreza, Mehran Ahmadnejad, and Vahid Mirzaei. 2015. “Barrasi-ye Tatbighi-ye Naqsh va Jayegh-e Ivan dar Banaha-ye Memari-ye Eslami.” In Proceedings of the National Conference on Iranian-Islamic Architecture and Urbanism. [in Persian]
Tabarestan. 2017. Farhang-e Lughat-e Mazandaran. http://www.tabarestan.ir. [in Persian]
Tafazzoli, Abbasali. 2003. Ivan va Karbord-e An dar Memari-ye Eslami. Tehran: Markaz-e Pazhuhesh-ha-ye Olum va Kompyuteri va Eslami. [in Persian]
Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development
Volume 19, Issue 54
Spring 2026
Pages 1-23

  • Receive Date 04 March 2025
  • Revise Date 17 December 2025
  • Accept Date 03 May 2026