Impact of Façade Decorations on Creating Visual Privacy in the Inner and Outer Courtyards of Qajar Houses in Tabriz

Pashaei Asl, Maedeh; Monadi, Aref; Belali Oskoyi, Azita; Jamali, Yahya

doi:10.22034/aaud.2024.380543.2754

Impact of Façade Decorations on Creating Visual Privacy in the Inner and Outer Courtyards of Qajar Houses in Tabriz

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Maedeh Pashaei Asl ¹

Aref Monadi ²

Azita Belali Oskoyi ³

Yahya Jamali ⁴

¹ M.A. in Islamic Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran (Corresponding Author).

² Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Soore University, Tehran, Iran.

³ Professor of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran.

⁴ Ph.D. Candidate in Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Isfahan University of Art, Isfahan, Iran.

10.22034/aaud.2024.380543.2754

Abstract

Privacy is one of the most fundamental features of Islamic architecture. Preserving privacy in traditional houses has been regarded as an essential concept and was considered a primary function of traditional dwellings. One of the most critical measures to maintain and establish privacy for the residents was the separation of courtyards into inner (andaruni) and outer (biruni) spaces. Islam emphasizes the observance of privacy and boundaries within the home, considering it a necessary condition for achieving security and peace of mind. To comply with divine rules and ensure the security of women in terms of privacy and hijab, buildings were designed in a way that the interior of the house could not be seen, allowing women inside to enjoy security and peace of mind. In this manner, the presence of boundaries and privacy between mahram and non-mahram individuals became entirely explicit and tangible through the use of specific architectural designs. The aim of this study, conducted through a historical method, is to examine the relationship between privacy and decorations in the façades of the inner and outer courtyards of Qajar houses in Tabriz. The research questions are as follows: What relationship do the decorations used in the façades of the inner and outer courtyards of houses have with each other, and what impact do they have on creating privacy? According to the findings, the decorations in the inner and outer courtyards differ significantly from one another. In the outer courtyard façades, the decorations—such as the use of recesses and shadows, increasing the density of lattice window components, raising the height of the porch cornice, and the use of embossed ornaments—resulted in a reduction of visual continuity, decreased transparency, and increased privacy. In contrast, the inner courtyards featured façades with fewer recesses, a lack of density in the lattice window components, and simpler decorations. The reason for this distinction lies in the presence of strangers and non-mahram individuals in the outer courtyard, as opposed to the inner courtyard.

Keywords

Decorations

Visual Privacy

Qajar Houses of Tabriz

Inner Courtyard

Outer Courtyard

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