RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE - A COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS OF ZOROASTRIAN AND ISLAMIC HOUSES IN IRAN

This is a study of the interrelationships between religious traditions and domestic vernacular architecture. through a comparative study of two religious groups - the Zoroastrians and the Muslims - in Iran, we describe the influence of their religious traditions, beliefs, values, rituals, and religion-legitimated social conduct on the houses of eac h religious group. Utilizing an antipositivist perspective, we also de scribe the influence on their houses of the interaction of these two g roups and their cultures, as well as the effects of differential power and hegemonic relations. We draw several theoretical lessons from thi s comparative cultural study and examine issues related to the adequac y of positivist, modernist studies, and the potential of an antipositi vist perspective in environmental design research.