Spatial Organization of Privacy in Qajar Residential Architecture of Sanandaj: Analyzing the Influence of Kurdish Culture and Contemporary Regeneration Patterns

Abstract

Spatial-cultural privacy, as an integrated system in Iranian residential architecture, has been shaped by the distinctive components of Kurdish culture in the Qajar-era houses of Sanandaj (late 18th to early 20th century CE). This study employs a mixed-method approach, encompassing systematic field studies, architectural plan analysis using tools such as spatial syntax, and semi-structured interviews with 10 experts (5 restoration architects, 3 university professors specializing in vernacular architecture, and 2 Kurdish culture researchers) to examine five prominent buildings: Khosrowabad Mansion, Asef Vaziri House, Vakil-al-Molk House, Moshir Divan Mansion, and Mulla Lotfollah Sheikh-al-Islam House. Findings reveal that spatial systems, including (a) dual-layered central courtyards with seasonal functionality, (b) hierarchical spatial progression from public to private zones, and (c) visual control mechanisms (deep verandas and latticed windows), systematically ensure privacy at familial, gendered, and hospitality levels, with 78% of private spaces shielded from direct external views. The study’s innovation lies in proposing a “Hierarchical Privacy Model” applicable at urban, building, and architectural detail scales, which can be implemented using small courtyards and local materials in contemporary housing design and urban regeneration projects in Sanandaj and other vernacular contexts. Limitations include the lack of reliable historical documentation on the usage of certain private spaces and the need for comparative studies with other Kurdish-inhabited cities.