Recognition of physical-spatial structure types in rural housing architecture Shahroud valley, Khalkhal County

Background and Objective: Despite the historical background of the Khalkhal county, there are still insufficient studies to identify the native architecture, especially the rural architecture of this region. Because of a tourism path construction, between Khalkhal county and Masouleh city, through the Shahrood tourist valley, this study seeks to identify the physical – spatial characteristics of the native housing of villages located along this valley, in order to preserve and apply it in future developments. Method: The research method is qualitative one and data analysis is done by descriptive-analytical method. After field studies in Shahrood valley villages, the study species have been selected in terms of the dominant features of the native architecture from the “Shal, Kolur, Derow, Asbu and Askastan” villages and analyzed. Physical-spatial characteristics, such as plan form, architectural elements, materials and methods of construction, roof form, openings ratio, the ratio of mass to space, and functional relationships, have been surveyed and analyzed. Findings: Dense rural fabric, extroverted and compact architectural form, small openings, porch and columnar Telaar, wooden torrehs, sloping roofs, regarding terrain slope and using local materials are the characteristics of the rural housing architecture in this region. Also in most species, the service space is located on the ground floor and the living space is on the first floor. Discussion and Conclusions: The results show that all studied species are extroverted, and have porch, Telaar and wooden torreh as the fixed and dominant elements. The species can be classified in two types: The houses with porch, having closet space and houses with porch, but without closet space. In general, rural housing pattern of this region, is affected by the cold climate of Khalkhal region in “plan form, structure and materials, openings and  the ratio of mass to space and functional relationships”.