Life Science Journal 2012;9(3) http://www.lifesciencesite.com http://www.lifesciencesite.com lifesciencej@gmail.com 2576 Sustainable strategies in Iranian houses Shadi Babaei 1 , Nasim Fazeli 1 , Behnam Ghasemzadeh 2, * 1. Ministry of Science Research and Technology, Allameh Dehkhoda Higher Education Institute 2. Department of Art and Architecture, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran Behnam.ghasemzadeh@ymail.com Abstract: Traditional Iranian architecture especially houses have unique characteristics, while considering aesthetic issues and environmental conservation have been responsive to climate requirements for each region. Techniques and rules used in this architecture clearly have in themselves many new concepts in sustainable architecture arena. This paper studies these sustainable concepts in the architecture of Iranian houses. This research is qualitative, descriptive and then analytic in regard to research performing process. Investigating and selecting the bases and concepts are based on library and documentation methods. This research results show that sustainability can be promoted in environmental, economic, social and architectural dimensions considering to indigenous and local sustainable values. [Shadi Babaei, Nasim Fazeli, Behnam Ghasemzadeh. Sustainable strategies in Iranian houses. Life Sci J 2012;9(3):2576-2580] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com . 373 Keywords: Sustainable architecture, Iranian houses, Iranian architecture, traditional architecture 1. Introduction A glance at the architecture of Iranian houses at least in past fifty years indicates that the solutions and architectural spaces which over the centuries had permanent presence have been eliminated and supposed to be inefficient. These solutions not only promoted physical and functional aspects of architecture but also equipped with advanced technology of that time by consistency with environmental and climate conditions and utilizing renewable energies and in their lines. In the discussion of sustainable development and following it sustainable architecture, it is obvious that each building should interact with its surrounded natural environment. The controversial and significant part is how to interact and the type of considered measures. This is exactly something that was exploited years ago by Iranian people with especial skill. They have benefited from it by performing technologies and especial rules in regard to optimal use of energies and natural resources particularly solar and wind energies; and coordinating with regional climate. But unfortunately, today it is forgotten and destroyed. These measures are not only evident in environmental but also in social and economic dimensions (Zandieh and Parvardinejad, 2010). Therefore, sustainable architecture helps to create a healthy environment based on resource efficiency, conservation of non-renewable resources, reducing consumption of renewable energies and quality promotion of life and human health. “Evaluation of traditional solutions in local architecture precedes the development of mechanical solutions in order to accept or remedy these methodologies to preserve from modern sophisticated requirements... This process should be based on new progresses acquired in humanities, physics as well as in sciences such as material technology, physics, aerodynamics, meteorology and physiology” (Hassan Fathi, 1986). So first, in this research the principles of sustainable architecture and then climate techniques used in architecture of Iranian traditional houses have been specifically studied. The existence of spaces such as particular residential spaces for summer and winter, optimal use of wind and solar energy and soil thermal capacity are significant characteristics of houses in different regions of Iran. In this research, it has been attempted briefly to investigate some elements and techniques used in construction and architecture of Iranian traditional houses. 2. Methods This research is qualitative in regard to performance process, applied in regard to research results, retrospective in time of research conducting, descriptive in research objective and then field study in regard to its analysis(diagram 1). Books, reliable journals and sites have been used for obtaining optimum results and providing appropriate answers to the questions. Finally, it has been attempted to totalize and analyze the obtained materials by field visiting of available facilities and giving case examples of different types of housing. 3. Research Questions 3.1 To utilize the greatest advantage from sun rotation in different seasons and the existing wind in each climate, how should be climate