An Inquiry into the Independent Identity of Windcatchers in Qom Compared to Yazd: From Symbolic Form to Climatic Function

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Assistant Professor of Urban Engineering in Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

10.22034/ahdc.2026.23969.1897

Abstract

Windcatchers (Badgirs) are among the most significant structural elements in Iran's hot-arid regions, primarily designed to mitigate climatic rigors. Among these cities, Yazd is globally renowned for its windcatchers; the prevalence of tall, multi-directional towers in its skyline serves as a key identity-defining element of this historic city. Similarly, Qom, located on the periphery of Iran’s central deserts, features tall, four-sided windcatchers. However, unlike Yazd, the windcatchers of Qom have remained largely understudied.

This research first identified and mapped the distribution of windcatchers within Qom's historical fabric through field surveys. Subsequently, their aesthetic, functional, and symbolic characteristics were extracted. Data regarding the windcatchers of Yazd were gathered from existing literature to facilitate a comparative analysis. The findings indicate that despite similarities in climatic conditions and certain formal attributes, the windcatchers of these two cities differ significantly in terms of functional performance and urban distribution.

In Qom, windcatchers are predominantly concentrated in aristocratic neighborhoods developed during the Qajar period, and their primary function is the ventilation and dehumidification of basements (Sardabs). This distinction demonstrates that while traditional Iranian architecture follows established principles, it exhibits a sophisticated adaptability, recalibrating its functions in response to specific localized environmental and subterranean variables.

Abstract:

Windcatchers (Badgirs) are among the most significant structural elements in Iran's hot-arid regions, primarily designed to mitigate climatic rigors. Among these cities, Yazd is globally renowned for its windcatchers; the prevalence of tall, multi-directional towers in its skyline serves as a key identity-defining element of this historic city. Similarly, Qom, located on the periphery of Iran’s central deserts, features tall, four-sided windcatchers. However, unlike Yazd, the windcatchers of Qom have remained largely understudied.

This research first identified and mapped the distribution of windcatchers within Qom's historical fabric through field surveys. Subsequently, their aesthetic, functional, and symbolic characteristics were extracted. Data regarding the windcatchers of Yazd were gathered from existing literature to facilitate a comparative analysis. The findings indicate that despite similarities in climatic conditions and certain formal attributes, the windcatchers of these two cities differ significantly in terms of functional performance and urban distribution.

In Qom, windcatchers are predominantly concentrated in aristocratic neighborhoods developed during the Qajar period, and their primary function is the ventilation and dehumidification of basements (Sardabs). This distinction demonstrates that while traditional Iranian architecture follows established principles, it exhibits a sophisticated adaptability, recalibrating its functions in response to specific localized environmental and subterranean variables.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  • آبروش, ص., ثروتی, م., محمدخان, ش., & قهرودی تالی, م. (1400). مسیریابی و بررسی روند حرکت منابع تولید گردوغباردر شکل‌گیری تپه‌های ماسه‌ای با استفاده از مدل HYSPLIT (مطالعه موردی: شرق استان قم، ماسه‌زار جلالی). مرتع و آبخیزداری، مجله منابع طبیعی ایران, 273-286.
  • اقبال السلطنه, ر. (1249). آلبوم شماره 171. آلبوم‌خانه کاخ‌موزه گلستان, تهران.
  • بهادری‌نژاد, م., & دهقانی, ع. (1387). بادگیر شاهکار مهندسی ایران. تهران: نشر یزدا.
  • بیات, س., زجاجی, ن., & امیدواریان, م. (1401). خانه‌های تاریخی قم. قم: مؤسسه بوستان کتاب.
  • پیرنیا, م. (1350). بادگیر و خیشخان. مجله هنر و معماری (10).
  • توسلی, م. (1381). ساخت شهر و معماری در اقلیم گرم و خشک ایران. تهران: نشر پیام.
  • جعفری, ج. (1384). تاریخ یزد. (ا. افشار, تدوین) تهران: شرکت انتشارات علمی و فرهنگی.
  • زمرشیدی, ح. (1373). معماری ایران-اجرای ساختمان‌های سنتی. تهران: نشر زمرد.
  • شریعت‌زاده, ع. (1371). بادگیرهای یزد و اسلوب ساخت آن‌ها. در ا. افشار, & ا. افشار (تدوین), یزدنامه (ص. 345-358). تهران: فرهنگ ایران‌زمین.
  • (1399). شناسنامه اقلیمی شهرستان یزد. یزد: اداره کل هواشناسی یزد، گروه تحقیقات هواشناسی کاربردی.
  • عمادیان رضوی, س. (1398). گونه شناسی ساختار معماری بادگیرهای دانشکده هنر و معماری دانشگاه یزد. یزد: مرکز پژوهشی بین‌المللی بادگیر.
  • غلامی تابش, ع. (1403). ابنیه سنتی قم. قم: آوای بهار.
  • قبادیان, و. (1374). بررسی اقلیمی ابنیه سنتی ایران. تهران: نشر دانشگاه تهران.
  • کلانترچاهوکی, و. (1382). تهویه و سرمایش خود به خودی ساختمان‌ها با استفاده از بادگیر. نشریه تهویه مطبوع, 1.
  • محمودی زرندی, م. (1393). بادگیر نماد معماری ایران. تهران: نشر یزدا.
  • مصطفوی, م. (1371). بادگیر پدیده‌ای سهل و ممتنع در معماری اصیل ایرانی. در ا. افشار, یزدنامه (ص. 337-344). تهران: فرهنگ ایران‌زمین.
  • معماریان, غ. (1386). آشنایی با معماری مسکونی ایران، گونه‌شناسی درون‌گرا. تهران: سروش دانش.
  • نمایه اقلیم استان قم. (1403). بازیابی در 10 22, 1403، از https://www.ghommet.ir/#/ghom

 

Bahadori, M. N. (1985). An Improved design of wind towers for natural ventilation and passive cooling. Solar Energy, 35(2).

Bahadori, M. N., Dehghani-sanij, A., & Sayigh, A. (2014). Wind Towers: Architecture, Climate and Sustainability. Switzerland; London: Springer International Publishing.

Dieulafoy, M. (1884). Album Dieulafoy. Perse 1. de l’Institut national d’histoire de l’art. Retrieved 12 12, 2024, from https://bibliotheque-numerique.inha.fr/collection/item/62746-album-dieulafoy-perse-1

Elmualim, A. A. (2006). AVerification of design calculations of a wind catcher/tower natural ventilation system with performance testing in a real building. International Journal of Ventilation, 4(4), 393-404.

Gadmer, F. (1927). Perse, Koum, Vue d'ensemble de la mosquée de Fathma. Les collections du musée départemental Albert-Kahn. Opendata Hauts-de-Seine, Paris. Retrieved 02 14, 2019, from http://collections.albert-kahn.hauts-de-seine.fr/?page=accueil

Givoni, B. (1994). Passive and Low Energy Cooling of Builbings. New York: Reinhold Press.

Heim, A. (1950). ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Bildarchiv, Zürich. Retrieved 06 24, 2020, from https://ba.e-pics.ethz.ch/#main-search-mode=and&categories-node=7466f859-04fd-4ff1-af4c-db00fe0644bf&detail-asset=af171165-2f6a-44f2-91b9-f27e1ed1f3b6

Heim, A. (1950-1958). ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Bildarchiv, Zürich. Retrieved 06 24, 2020, from https://search.library.ethz.ch/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=DADS&tab=default_tab&docid=EPICSDia_023g-060&lang=de_DE

Mahyari, A. (1996). Excavations at Tape Sang-e Cagmag, Proceeding of IInd annual symposium on Archeological research in Iran. Sydney: Sydney University.

O'Kane, B. (1976). The al-Ghiyasiyya at khirgird,Iran. British Institute of Persian Studies, 14, 79-92.

Roaf, S. (1988). The Windcatcher of Yazd. Department of Architecture. Oxford Polytechnic. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.24384/0m49-rr97

Roaf, S. (1988). The windcatcher of Yazd, , Department of Architecture, ,. Oxford Polytechnic.

Rosenthal, F. (1977). Poetry and Architecture: the badhanj. Journal of Arabic Literature, 1-19.

Sevryugin , A. (1900). the Kunstkamera. Retrieved 01 01, 2025, from Collection online: https://collection.kunstkamera.ru/en/entity/OBJECT/96859?page=7&query=Sevryugin%20Anton&index=326

Sykes, P. M. (1900). Lantern slide, showing an archway with muqarnas (broken slide) Iran. British Museum, London. Retrieved 01 12, 2025, from https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/AA_Sykes-171

Journal of Architecture in Hot and Dry Climate
Volume 12, Issue 20
December 2024
Pages 115-130

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics