Impact of Climate on the Principles of Gilan Traditional Architecture

Gilan is located in the north of Iran and on the southern coast of Caspian Sea. Gilan province has a wet climate and high precipitation in the form of rain. Meanwhile Alborz Chain Mountains blocks the passage of humidity. Geographically, it consists of two distinct parts: mountain and flat areas and each area has its own architectural properties. Generally, rain and high humidity has a direct influence on the architecture of this region to use maximum air ventilation and to prevent humidity blockage urban and rural architecture is based on constructing buildings separate from each other and tend to achieve architecture in harmony with climate elements used in Gilan architecture achieve this goal by decreasing humidity and increasing air ventilation together with direct running surface water. Such elements along with observing aesthetic aspects provide the settlers with a comfortable life. EIVAN, TALAR, FAKON, KORSICHINI, GHOLAMGARD and… are among these elements and each one is explained in this article. The extension of structure is south ward, east ward, west ward and finally in height. All the above mentioned factors with outward oriented structures have created a special kind of architecture the main cause of which is climate outward orientation and sloped roofs are the eminent features of architecture in Gilan. In this architecture there is not a clear border between inside and outside spaces. Semi open spaces and transparent layers combine the indoors and outdoors and increase the influence of the sun, wind, rain and seasons on the life of settler. This article intends to present a general picture of Gilan’s architecture. An architecture and design mainly influenced by climate. In this article library and field research methods have been used.