The importance of construction techniques in the conservation of vernacular architecture of Masouleh

ABSTRACT Vernacular architecture has played an important role in construction and building spaces over human history. The disappearance of vernacular architecture leads to the extinction of experience available through our ancestors or earlier generation, the disturbance of peace and consistency and damage to our quality of life. Today’s man is regarded as a generation full of experience and innovation over centuries. Therefore, this heritage should be well preserved and taken advantage of through recognition and research. Since Iran, an ethnically diverse country with a variety of architectural patterns, is truly unique in terms of its vernacular architecture, its conservation is of vital importance. In this respect, one of the incomparable architectural patterns is the city of Masouleh. What distinguishes this city from other areas is its historical, cultural and architectural values. This paper aims to identify its construction techniques in order to preserve its vernacular architecture. For this purpose, a combination of interpretive-historical and qualitative strategies was used. Research tools include documentary research, observation, interviews, studying maps and sketches. The findings show environmentally friendly construction techniques were well responsive to the needs of residents of Masouleh in the past and that these techniques can fulfill current and future sustainability purposes.