ABSTRACT
This chapter describes definitions and meanings of vernacular architecture and introduces the reader to vernacular dwellings, specifically those in the hot and dry climates of Iran. It illustrates how they were used in the past, and how they have changed and developed over time; it also shows the kinds of buildings with which they have been replaced. Domestic buildings make up the majority of vernacular buildings and hence are the best sources of information for studying vernacular architecture. The chapter deals with vernacular houses in the hot and dry climates of Iran, especially the dwellings in the traditional neighbourhoods of Yazd. The micro-climate of the non-traditional house changed compared to a traditional one, as a result of change in its orientation, size, location, the details of windows, and the thermal resistance and heat capacity of its envelope. In the process of modernisation traditional multi-courtyard houses also underwent extensive changes.
