Studying the Architecture Elements of Suburban Caravanserais in Central Iran to Identify Their Similarities and Differences

Abstract

This study explores how the architecture of Iranian caravanserais evolved due to changes in architectural knowledge, techniques, and functional needs. The main goal is to classify and compare the physical and architectural features of caravanserais in central Iran to identify their common and distinctive characteristics. The research addresses one main question: How do physical and metaphysical factors influence the formation of architectural styles?. Using a developmental and applied approach, the study combines inductive, interpretive, historical, and comparative methods. Data were collected through library research and field observations. Key architectural components—such as entrances, vestibules, porches, courtyards, rooms, porticos, stables, and towers—were analyzed in terms of spatial organization and typology. Findings show that caravanserai architecture was shaped by the construction traditions and design systems of its time, following shared frameworks created by skilled architects and coordinated institutions. By comparing architectural features, the research identifies which elements remained consistent and which evolved, offering valuable insights for the conservation and restoration of damaged caravanserais. The study focuses on roadside caravanserais in Isfahan, Qom, Markazi, and Tehran provinces, analyzing 65 examples from various historical periods in Iran’s hot and dry central regions