Revisiting and Revitalizing the Principles of Iranian–Islamic Architecture in Residential Building Facades: With Emphasis on Qajar-Era Housing and Housing of the Recent Decade in the City of Qom

Abstract

The urban facade constitutes the first perceptual layer of the city, shaping the identity and legibility of the environment and maintaining a direct relationship with citizens’ sense of place attachment. The historical houses of Qom, particularly the architectural works of the Qajar period, represent prominent examples of Iranian–Islamic architectural principles, including the observance of privacy, human-scale proportions, the use of indigenous materials, and ornamentation compatible with cultural and climatic conditions. However, the rapid urban expansion and transformations in construction practices during recent decades have led to a decline in harmony with the historical urban fabric and the emergence of visual disorder. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative) to reinterpret the principles of Iranian–Islamic architecture in historical houses and to examine the extent to which these principles are reflected in the contemporary facades of District 4 of Qom. Data were collected through library-based studies and field surveys and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The findings indicate that Qajar-era houses possessed considerable coherence in functional, physical, and semantic dimensions, whereas many contemporary facades lack such harmony, and existing regulations have failed to achieve the expected level of quality. By proposing design and managerial strategies, including the development of comprehensive facade design guidelines, the use of indigenous materials, the enhancement of designers’ education, and effective municipal supervision, the study contributes to the revitalization of Iranian–Islamic identity and the improvement of the urban landscape quality in Qom.