Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development

Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development

Typology of Historic Houses in the City of Taft from the Safavid Era to the Early Pahlavi Period

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Mohsen Dehghani Tafti
Department of Architecture and Urban Design, Iran University of Science and Technology
10.22034/aaud.2026.552899.3002
Abstract
This article aims to explore the historic houses of the city of Taft and extract their architectural patterns. The research method is typology. Field investigations reveal that, at first glance, the historic houses of Taft can be categorized into two main groups: natural–conventional houses and stylistic houses, with this study focusing on the latter. Within this category, based on the overall scheme or image conveyed by their spatial organization and physical elements, four distinct types were identified: Talardār (hall-based), Shekam-darideh, Soffeh-dār, and Kushki.
The Talardār houses derive their identity from a central Talar (hall) located on the main axis of the house, representing the prevalent and customary construction pattern in Taft. Due to their spatial flexibility, these houses allowed architects considerable freedom in design and were adaptable to various sites and situations. In the Soffeh-dār and Shekam-derideh types, the central iwan or the recessed structure is symmetrically located on the main façade, governed by a distinct structural order. These two types were less common in Taft and typically associated with more affluent residences. The Kushki type, on the other hand, was characterized by an extroverted layout, designed at the center of large gardens, with a central Howz-khaneh (pool house) forming the axis of symmetry.
In conclusion, the results of this study confirm that diverse cultural, environmental, and social factors collectively influenced the emergence of local architectural types and their application across different contexts. Furthermore, alongside indigenous building traditions, “migrant types” also found their way into Taft. Upon their introduction, these migrant types underwent two levels of adaptation—basic and preliminary changes, as well as more complex secondary modifications—to harmonize with the people and natural environment of the region.
Keywords
'Typology'
'Architectural patterns'
'Taft (Yazd)'
'Historic houses of Taft'
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Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development
Volume 19, Issue 54
Spring 2026
Pages 89-106

  • Receive Date 16 October 2025
  • Revise Date 22 May 2026
  • Accept Date 27 May 2026