Typology and comparative analysis of residential façades of the Qajar and Pahlavi eras in Sanandaj: Extraction of identity forming patterns for contemporary design

This study undertakes a typological and comparative analysis of residential façades from the Qajar and Pahlavi periods in Sanandaj, Iran, aiming to identify the spatial, structural, and aesthetic patterns that have shaped the visual identity of the city's historic fabric. Positioned at the intersection of architectural history and contemporary design discourse, the research documents formal transformations across two historical periods and interprets them as reflections of broader socio-cultural and spatial shifts. It also proposes a framework for reinterpreting extracted identity-forming patterns within contemporary architectural practice, contributing to context-sensitive design strategies and dynamic urban conservation.
Sanandaj, a historically significant city in western Iran, possesses a distinctive architectural heritage shaped by regional traditions and political transformations. During the Qajar period, residential architecture was predominantly introverted, organized around private courtyards and governed by spatial hierarchies. The subsequent Pahlavi period, influenced by modernization policies and new planning paradigms, introduced transformations in spatial organization and façade articulation. This transition offers a valuable case for examining how architectural identity evolves under cultural continuity and socio-political change.
The research adopts a qualitative, descriptive-analytical methodology. Data were collected through library and archival research, field documentation, architectural drawings, photographic analysis, and semi-structured interviews. The study examines 35 purposefully selected houses from the Qajar and Pahlavi periods, chosen for their representativeness and architectural integrity. The analytical framework focuses on façade composition, spatial hierarchy, semi-open elements, materiality, ornamental language, geometric proportions, and the relationship between the building envelope and the urban realm.
The findings reveal that historic residential façades in Sanandaj are structured around recurring identity-forming patterns. In the Qajar period, particularly in courtyard-facing façades, a layered spatial organization appears through deep columned verandas (Iwans), articulated openings, rhythmic fenestration, and ornamental detailing. These façades function not merely as decoration but as spatial thresholds between private and semi-private domains. Depth, shadow, and textural variation create an architectural expression that reinforces privacy, climatic adaptation, and familial cohesion. Native materials such as handmade brick, timber, and local stone embed these façades within the environmental and cultural context of the region.
By contrast, the Pahlavi period marks a shift toward outward-oriented façades engaging more directly with the street. Corresponding to modernization processes, façades become flatter and simplified, hierarchical entrance sequences are reduced, and decorative elements are abstracted into geometric patterns. The transition from handmade to industrial materials further contributes to visual simplification. The complex layering of Qajar façades gradually gives way to planar compositions emphasizing clarity and directness.
The research identifies three façade typologies articulating the architectural evolution of Sanandaj's residential fabric: the Qajar courtyard-oriented model with deep Iwans and layered surfaces; the Pahlavi model with flat street façades and simplified ornamentation; and a transitional hybrid model emerging in the late Qajar and early Pahlavi periods. This hybrid condition combines inward courtyard structures with outward-facing elements such as balconies or enlarged windows. Rather than a rupture, it represents an adaptive phase where traditional spatial logic coexists with new urban demands.
The study interprets these transformations through a socio-spatial lens. The shift from introverted to extroverted façades reflects changes in domestic life and urban interaction. The deep Iwans of Qajar houses transform into shallower balconies functioning primarily as a visual interface with the public realm. Hierarchical entrance systems diminish in favor of direct entryways aligned with modern street grids. These changes signal a recalibration of privacy and architectural representation within the urban environment.
Importantly, the research does not privilege one period over the other but views the evolution as a continuum of adaptation. The hybrid typology demonstrates how architectural identity can transform without discontinuity. The extracted patterns provide guidelines for context-sensitive intervention.
In conclusion, the comparative analysis of Qajar and Pahlavi residential façades in Sanandaj reveals a process of transformation shaped by spatial and cultural factors. By identifying three typologies and adaptable identity-forming patterns, the research bridges historical analysis and contemporary design strategy, offering a pathway for reinforcing Sanandaj's urban identity amid ongoing development.