Cold Climate Architecture and Enviroment

Developing Ecotourism in Cold-Climate Farms through Contextual Architecture: A Study from Rural Iran (Savar Village, Bonab County)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Aliakbar Taghilou

Professor, Department of Geography and Planning, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran.

Abstract
This study formulates a design framework for tourist farms specifically suited to cold, mountainous regions by implementing context-sensitive architectural principles. It tackles the prevalent issue where conventional design models are inadequate for the distinctive characteristics of local settings, especially in harsh cold climates. Employing a descriptive-analytical and design-oriented methodology, the research integrates comprehensive desk study with extensive field investigations in the historic and touristic village of Savar.

The findings indicate that successfully combining context-responsive architecture with specific cold-climate adaptations and core agritourism principles generates a highly efficient and practical model for tourism farm development. Detailed energy performance simulations substantiate that this holistic approach can dramatically lessen environmental impact, achieving reductions of approximately 50.8% in heating energy demand, 57.5% in cooling thermal load, 52.6% in water consumption, and 63.1% in associated carbon emissions. These efficiencies highlight the model's strong potential for promoting environmental sustainability and operational cost-effectiveness in sensitive ecological zones.

The culminating design proposal embodies an architectural response that engages deeply with both the environmental and socio-cultural context. It strategically utilizes indigenous materials, meticulously conforms to the existing topographic slopes, employs passive solar and climate-buffering strategies, and seamlessly integrates agricultural production with tourist activities. This synthesis not only addresses functional needs but also preserves local identity. Consequently, the model establishes a viable, adaptable, and scalable prototype for advancing sustainable ecotourism and rural development in comparable cold and mountainous areas worldwide, offering valuable insights for planners, architects, and policymakers.

Keywords

Context-Sensitive Design
Contextual Design
Mountain Climate
Ecotourism
Savar Village
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