Gholam Hossein Memarian, Seyed Majid Hashemi Toghr-Oljerdi, Hesam Kamalipour,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (December 2012)
Abstract
Considering the acceptance of culture as the principle predictorof understanding housing elements, including religious and
behavioral patterns, is becoming increasingly important. This understanding can be clearly visualized in a city such as Kerman.
Kerman is located in South-East of Iran andhas a diverse culture witha residential district in which Muslims, Zoroastrians, and
Jews liveside by side in harmony. In this paper, the impact of religious and behavioral patterns on the interactive structure of
houses, which belong to the followers of the above mentioned religions, will be explained.The results of this study could be used
as a practical guideline and framework by the planners who are organizing approachesfor designing and renovating buildings in
these districts. The paper implements a combinationalresearch method using documentation, field study, interviews, observation
and logical reasoning in order to discuss the matter of privacy and hospitality and its impacts on formation of the houses.
Furthermore, apart from the study of ethnography, the paper demonstratesthe fact that there are at least two impressive layers
affecting the traditional architectural housing in Kerman. The first layer is derived from the dominant cultural patterns of
privacy respecting the rights of neighbors and hospitality that are acceptable by all religions.Adhering to these two principles is
practical even today. Moreover, the second layer affecting the architectural housing of the Jews and Zoroastrians is derived from
their traditions and religious beliefs.
