Recognition of Side Yards in Robats and Caravanserais in Central Iranian Plateau

From the Achaemenid era to the Qajar era, mid-way residences were built to serve various military, trade and residential purposes. In central Iranian regions, residences were formed around a courtyard, with the central courtyard serving as the pivotal link. Some mid-way residences not only had central courtyards but also contained other yards, serving in relation to the main courtyard. Considering the significance of side yards in meeting residents’ needs, it is increasingly important to examine these spaces in Robat and caravanserais. The goal of this study was to investigate the role and function of elements around side yards in Robats and caravanserais. This study raises the questions: “Which factors have formed multiple courtyards in these buildings?” “What are the reasons behind the similarities and differences of side yards in Robats and caravanserais?” This study used library sources such as books, articles and documents to explore space patterns using theoretical foundations and descriptive-analytical methods. Findings revealed that four factors of climate, privacy, intimacy (residence-related) and services contributed to establishing side yards, with each involving some subspaces. Robats and caravanserais feature different characters and are nearly identical from a functional point of view. A comparison of side yards’ functions indicates similar spaces and functions, which differ from each other structurally and spatially. Results have demonstrated that Robats have followed no pre-determined plans in their construction plans, with their yards sequentially formed along each other based on different periods; caravanserais, however, had predetermined plans and had their spaces constructed based on implementation designs.