A Comparative Study of Historical and Contemporary Houses in Kermanshah to Recognize Micro-Space Empowerment Methods

To enhance the performance of space, as the essence of architecture, it is required to strengthen and optimally use micro-spaces. The methods applied to this end are referred to as "micro-space empowerment methods". These methods have been applied at specific times and in given places to organize space by each society to interact with the territory, history, environmental capabilities, as well as lifestyle. The present study aims to investigate the empowerment methods of micro-spaces in the home to identify effective solutions to improve the quality of contemporary housing. So, the research questions are as follows: What are the micro-space empowerment methods? How are the micro-spaces in historical and contemporary houses empowered? How can micro-space empowerment methods be applied in today's housing? The present study is qualitative research carried out using data analysis. In the present study, first, the concepts related to micro-space empowerment are redefined and micro-space empowerment methods are described. Next, three houses belonging to three Qajar, Pahlavi, and contemporary eras are selected from the three old, middle, and new textures of Kermanshah City as a source, and their micro-spaces are studied and compared by library studies, field studies, and observations. The results indicate that traditional architecture and modern architecture are different in the design of architectural elements. In traditional houses, there is a convergent spatial organization through which various aspects such as responding to lifestyle, diverse lighting and landscape, interaction with nature, and comfort, are organized and integrated, while in contemporary houses, they are provided in a divergent design. Convergent design methods require the use of micro-space empowerment methods.