Water reservoirs (āb anbār) of Yazd city with the ... · Water reservoirs (āb anbār) of Yazd...

Water reservoirs (āb anbār) of Yazd city with the perspective of saving energy consumption Case study: (six-windcatcher Water reservoir in Yazd, five-windcatcher Water reservoir in Yazd) Mohammad Rahimzadeh Bashmahaleh, Saeed Ghassemi

Abstract Iran’s architecture considering its specific climatic and geographic condition and due to factors such as economy and non-dependency and with the application of their specific functional and native architectural principles as well as with the use of natural energies such as wind, water, sun and … has managed to achieve saving in the consumption of energy. Factors such as shortage of permanent rivers and springs full of water and the low level of underground waters as well as high temperature and dry desert environment have all caused a high value for water. Iranian architectures with full knowledge of their native architecture principles have created some systems for water transfer with special features and characteristics. Our ancestors in these regions with reaching the lofty spirit of human have created water transfer systems from basement with special hydraulic system and after transferring water to the storage that it is being used there have saved and kept water in water reservoirs. These water reservoirs also depending on the climatic, social, cultural and religious and spatial attachments of every region have their own different architecture and design. In this paper we will study the way these water reservoirs have been constructed in Yazd city and we will try to use the experiences of our ancestors and the skills they have used in constructing them. Giving attention to water storage, type of the materials being used in it and its construction has been so much important and critical and a little bit of carelessness in this regard could have resulted in the creation of a hole or crack in the water reservoir and water leakage following it. What can be effective in saving energy consumption in traditional architecture of Iran, especially in the architecture of Yazd city, is full compliance with the unique and special native architectural principles of this region that after studying this great achievement of lasting Iranian architecture in Yazd city it is revealed that studying functional and fundamental principles and reasonable return to those principles can solve our problems. Key words: water reservoir, traditional and native architecture, technology, desert, saving energy.

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Introduction

With a reasonable and smart look to traditional architecture and its interaction with cultural, social, economic and environmental contexts of the present time we can tie one of the discrete strands of traditional architecture to the present. The present research is born out of possibility and opportunity and it is not presented to the reader in series of complete studies and organized article. However, our effort in searching the subject will not be useless. The main aim of the present paper is to introduce a part of native architecture of Iran that has received less attention. Water reservoirs considering their functional aspects, using water, the volume of water they can accommodate, the placement of their steps and their other spaces, type of access to water, shape of reservoir and its cover, its construction style, style and type of transferring water to them, their location in the city and neighborhood, size, ventilation and Refrigeration of water, the way of storing and cooking water and saving in energy consumption have been designed with specific principles that knowing these principles can express the lost rings of our traditional architecture. Today the importance of saving in the consumption of energy in buildings has been revealed to specialists and managers of societies and people more than ever, in a way that so many experts consider this as a key factors in the future of sustainable development in construction industry. In line with this and considering the fact that using energy and environmental resources have faced with serious limitations, in most of the countries saving energy consumption in buildings have turned into the a main priority during the last few recent decades. (Ghasemzadeh et al., 2010, 51)In this article we will introduce and study water reservoir of six-windcatcher and water reservoir of five-windcatcher in Amir Chakhmagh square in Yazd and the way of saving energy consumption in these water reservoirs will be introduced. Problem statement and research goals Looking at the energy saving in the above mentioned water reservoirs are the main goal of the present research. The past precious architecture indicates to overcoming to issues such as climate, weather and …. Therefore, we witness the specific native architecture of every region considering to the special climate and culture of that region. Iran due to having various climatic and cultural conditions has a special characteristic and various architectures in harmony with climate have been created in it. Hence, with studying the traditional architecture of Yazd’s water reservoirs we studying its native design and architecture and provide some points about this native architecture.

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-What kind of effect climatic features have on architecture. -How energy is saved in water reservoirs. Literature Review In order to provide the perspective of the researchers who have conducted studied about water reservoirs, a selection of the perspectives of some of these researchers have been chosen which will be presented below: Memarian. Gholam Hossein. In his work he has studied the water reservoirs in Iran, with the title of “A journey into architecture of water reservoir of Yazd” which is an introduction to water reservoirs of Yazd. With introducing this unknown type of Iran’s architecture he has significantly contributed to our recognition of our traditional architecture. Ayatollahzadeh. Shirazi. Bagher, in his work he has studies and introduces the water reservoirs in the border areas of Desert of Iran and in his study the features and characteristics of this achievement of Iranians is introduces as a native achievement. Maserrat. Hossein, in his work he has studied the architecture of the water reservoirs of the city of Yazd and in his study general recognition of these water reservoirs, architectural and structural characteristics of these reservoirs and an introduction of these water reservoirs in the historical city of Yazd is seen. Mohammad Javad Saghafi and Asghar Saed Samiee, in their work the relationship between the environment with the compatibility of the adjacent materials and saving in building have been studied and they have found that considering the energy crisis in the world the increasing incompatibility of materials and depreciation in the building should be evaluated and studied. For reducing the consumption of energy, with the implementation of some solutions the Energy dissipation can be prevented in buildings. Architecture of the buildings considering the weather conditions, in harmony with the environment of every region can have a significant role in reducing the consumption of Fossil energy. About building architecture in harmony with climate so many studies have been conducted in Iran, among which we can name the studies of Kasmaee, Raazjooyan and Ghobadian. In all of these studies the climatic elements have been used and with the use of climatic proper and suitable climatic diagrams have analyzed proper climatic conditions. Farajzadeh Aal and colleagues have studied the architectural conformity of buildings in Sannadaj city with its bioclimatic conditions with the use of Mahoney method and have found that in past days attention on the effect of climatic factor in buildings’ architecture and design have been more than the present day (Farajzadeh Asal, 2008, 178). Raazjooyan (1988) has studied comfort and architecture in harmony with climate in different regions of Iran. Research hypotheses In line with the above stated the research hypotheses are presented considering the mentioned facts which are as per the following:

1. Our traditional architecture is in harmony with climate. 2. Climatic variety is effective on construction. 3. Energy saving is seen in the buildings and structures constructed in the past. 4. Considering the above hypotheses it can be said that traditional architecture in addition to being in harmony with climate has

been sustainable as well with regards to construction. 5. Water reservoirs in Yazd are influenced by native architecture style and are effective in saving energy consumption.

Research methodology The research method adopted in this study is historical descriptive with qualitative studies. The research population is traditional architecture of the water reservoirs of the city of Yazd with dry and hot climate. The sampling method used is Purposive sampling method and the data collection instruments are written sources of information, documents, maps, objective attitudes and observations and the data analysis performed in this study is in fact content analysis. With field studies for explaining the role of water reservoirs in saving energy consumption, first the architecture of these water reservoirs, their construction and their functions are introduced and then the findings are presented. Multiple definitions have been provided for water reservoirs in Persian encyclopedias. Moeen Encyclopedia says regarding the definition of water reservoir that it refers to a container that in which always they store tasty water or a covered place in the basement which is stored with water (Mo’een, 1992, 6). Memarian defines water reservoir in this way: “water reservoir, pond, pool, and other names of it are underground water storages that have been built for providing drinking water required by people in most of the regions of Iran and in some other countries” (Memarian, 1993: p 1).In three books of The History of Yazd, New History of Yazd and “Jame Mofidi” repeatedly the name of “cold water well” has been brought. “In the History of Yazd and The New History of Yazd the Wells of Cold Water have been repeatedly mentioned (Monuments of Yazd, 1992, 2, p. 647).In Timurid period building cold water well and using it has received more attention and with getting water from the well the needed water would have been provides and these wells have been for the use of public (The history of Yazd, 1996, p. 155). The evolution of water reservoir in historical periods This is well known that from the very beginning that human was created and felt the need of water started to think of storing water for his daily use. (Maserat, 2010, p.2) The Antiquity water reservoirs are equal to aqueducts but unfortunately this certain knowledge of Iranians haven’t managed to find a fame equal to aqueduct in the world (Memarian, Iran Newspaper, 2001).The oldest water reservoir in the world is the water reservoir of the city of Ur near Basra that has been built in the year 2150 B.C. at the order of the King of Ur on the platform of Ziggurat of this city. There is one more water reservoir that has been built in 6th century B.C. at the order of Justinian the emperor of Eastern half of Roman Empire in Constantinople. This water reservoir has two storage and 1001 columns and due to this is known as 1001 column water reservoir. The floor of the two storages is 3500 square meter in area. There is another water reservoir in Turkey with 356 columns with 12 meter height made from marble which are placed in 28 raw which is known as “Pariyatan Sarai” (underground palace) (Bolockbashi, 1991, p. 30).The oldest water reservoir in Iran or in other words water storage in Iran is the water storage of Ilam city Durantash Chogha Zanbil in Khuzenstan which goes back to around 3500 years ago (Warjavand, Parviz., 1989, p. 158) and still there are some water reservoirs from sixth and seventh A.H (Memarian, 2012, p. 34).The oldest known water reservoir of Iran from

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Islamic period is the one that Adud al-Dawla Deillami has constructed in 4th A.H. century in one of the three forts of Fars Estakhr which has 20 columns. The water of this water reservoir had been supplied from a dam put on a deep valley and has been enough and sufficient for the water usage of 1000 persons for 1 year (Ibn Balkhi: 156). Yazd province and desert city due to its unique climate have had hundreds of water reservoirs and there has been around 75 water reservoirs with and without inscriptions in Yazd city (Afshar 2, 1975, p. 647). In general typology of the water reservoirs are as per the following: Use of water Public In a way all the existing water reservoirs except the ones in the houses can be considered as public ones such as fort water reservoirs, city water reservoirs, rural on-the-way, desert water reservoirs and etc that all the people including the people of an area, a neighborhood or a caravan from every class and caste of the society can use and only field water reservoirs can be considered as private for the use of all the farmers in a specific area. Public water reservoirs are mostly among the buildings for the use of the public and are constructed by righteous, rulers, kings and rich people for pleasing God and helping people and have been usually large and prominent structures (Maserrat, 2010, p. 53). Private (personal) They refer to home water reservoirs that had been built in cities and villages in the private properties of people and with the purpose of the use of the owners of these properties and the members of their families. Mainly these water reservoirs would have been built in houses and sometimes even in private gardens (Maserat, 2010, p. 53). Function Rural Village water reservoirs don’t have main differences with city water reservoirs and their main difference is in their shape, ornaments and their construction. The builder of water reservoir in villages like the ones in cities will try their best to build these structures near the mosque, Hussainia and market so that more amount of people can use it (Memarian, 1993, p. 17). Desert water reservoir According to Great Islamic Encyclopedia these types water reservoir which are typical to dry deserts are storages which have been built with the purpose of providing the drinking water of the Livestock and that they have been normally built in a square shape with walls of about 2 meter height or more from the ground level with roof at top of them like a chamber (Abedini 1, 1995, p. 33). Field water reservoir (plain / farm / ranch) Mainly the water reservoirs which are built in plains, farms and ranches are used by farmers for their own use and for their livestock which are known as field water reservoirs. These types of storages are built in the form of roofed pools with mud, adobe and sometimes bricks that all around the pool there is a space for sitting and resting or beside it a shelter has been built for the farmers to relax and rest. Most of these structures have been built near and close to each other and each of them has the name of the person who has made it and even they have been piously founded (Memarian, 1995, p. 16). Mountain water reservoir This type of water reservoirs have been carved with engraving tool and hammer in the heart of mountains and among rocks and their roofs have been overarch for root. Sometimes also a part of the roof has been out of the natural rock and stone of the mountain that has been carved in a lunate shape with chisel and the rest would have been roofed with brick and would have been joined together. For example, we can mention great and large water reservoirs of Gerdkuh in Damghan (Abedinin, 1995, p 33). As it is clear, the main supply of water of these water reservoirs has been rain water. Fort water reservoir For the first time in Fars Nameh Ebn Balkhi, the name of a few fort water reservoir such as fort of Estakhr, fort of Semiran, Fort of Abadeh, fort of Rom Ravan have been mentioned [Ebn Balkhi, pp 157 and 159]. In all the forts around Yazd such as Rahmat Abad and Asadan some very simple instances of these water reservoirs are seen. These are often in the form of pools with roofs and their storage are rather small and deep and has been built in the form and shape of a square well in the central part of the fort. Some of these water reservoirs have been combined with the fort structure in a way that can collect the rain water that are streaming on the roof and Courtyard of the fort and store it in the water reservoir. The architecture of the water reservoirs inside the Caravanserais can be considered under the influence of fort water reservoirs (Abedini, 1995, pp 32 and 33). Caravanserai / inns water reservoir These water reservoirs have been built inside caravanserai or inns and have so many similarities with fort water reservoirs. Based on their location position normally they are supplied with rain water, aqueduct, wells or spring waters and is built in the form of roofed pools in the middle of the yard and on the main axes of caravanserai with rather small and shallow reservoirs. The roofs of these reservoirs which are flat were being used for Loading Caravans (Abedini, 1995, p. 33: cited from Maxime Siroux).Frequent instances of water reservoirs built inside inns are seen around the city and province of Yazd among that we can mention Shah Abbasi GardFaramarz caravanserai and Chahak caravanserai of Yazd. Chahak Caravanserai of Yazd which has been built Seyyed Shams Ul-din Mohammad in 8th century which would have been supplied with the water of Fathollah and Naeemabad which is coming from Mehriz.(Mostofi Bafghi, 1962, Vol. 3, p. 660). 2-2-7- On the way water reservoir In other words desert and caravanserai water reservoirs can be as well considered as on the way water reservoirs. However, often the structures known as on the way water reservoir to researchers are either built beside inns and


caravanserai such as Caravanserai water reservoir or Shah Abbasi GardFaramarz Caravanserai or Meibod inn (Kelar Meibod) or beside tent and shelters such as Shams Abad , Nosrat Abad and Janat Abad shelters (Memarian, 1992, p. 20).Pious and righteous people have provided cool and pleasant spaces beside water reservoirs for the tired and thirsty travelers of deserts who are escaping from the heat. Beside some of these water reservoirs some rooms have been made one the reservoir for relaxing and saying prayers of the travelers (Abedini, 1995, p.33).The glory of On-the-way water reservoirs are not less that the water reservoirs in the cities, but among these some small pools or water reservoirs have been built which are locate between the roads. For example, a few water pools of rain water still exist on the way of Kharanaq to Chak Chak (Memarian, 1992, p. 20). Urban water reservoir Without any doubt the best example of glory of Iran’s water reservoir is manifested in the construction and architecture of urban water reservoir. It is where the capable urban architecture has applied whatever experience, skill and expertise he had in the art of architecture, cooling, construction of windcatcher, dome, stairway and etc… all in one place in the architecture of water reservoir. Urban water reservoirs usually had been built in the center of the city’s neighborhoods and beside religious, educational, recreational and commercial places. The remained instances of these water reservoirs show that these urban instances comparing to other types have more capacity and could have provide the needs of the populated neighborhoods areas for months. Due to great importance of this structures for cities so much of care was given to the selection of material type and the quality of their building and in addition to the necessary and main sections and parts of the buildings a large forecourt, entrance, Engraving and vestibule, wide stairs, high windcatchers and as well as different ornaments have been designed and considered for them (Abedini, 1995, p. 32).Urban water reservoirs would have been building beside residential and public complexes and on the main roads and paths so that more populations can use it. As much as the neighborhoods were bigger the number of their water reservoirs was more and as the city and neighborhood would have expanded more water reservoirs would have been built and added. The number of urban water reservoirs of Yazd are more than hundred that each of them have different features, construction, number of windcatcher, size, storage and stairs, in a way that you can not find two similar water reservoirs in Yazd. In this city we can see water reservoirs with one windcatcher to 6 windcatchers and water reservoirs with single storage and double storage (Gonbad-e Sabz water reservoir and Khawje water reservoir) and from one stair to 76 stairs (Shah Abulghasem water reservoir). (Masserat, 2010, p.59). Water supply River (flood) Although some of the rural, desert and plain water reservoirs are supplied from the rivers’ water; however, most of the on-the-way water reservoirs are supplied by the spring flood of the nearby rivers and for this purpose some Embankments are created diagonally on the bed of the river and the water is directed to a direction going to water reservoir (Varjavand, 1989, p. 154) . Rain water The background of building water reservoirs that collect rain water from the roof and yard of the houses even goes back to the ancient European civilizations that they were using it for drinking and other necessary needs of life and some instances of it goes back to pre-historical period in the ruins of Nas Palace , Bronze Age Center in Crete Island of Franc (Poor Moghaddas, 2003, p. 27).Kardavani has divided water reservoirs that supply rain water into two groups: 1- water reservoirs that the collected water from the roofs are stored in them and 2- water reservoirs that get rain water from the ground (field water reservoirs) (Kardavani, 1992, p. 110). Hand water reservoir This type of water reservoir is a type in which not the rain water is filled and not the river water, but the water is directed with the intervention of humans from another place and in this case it can be a well, aqueduct or a spring and sometimes the water should pass through 10 miles before reaching the reservoir. Almost all the urban, rural and field water reservoirs especially in dry and desert areas are of this typ. using the water of Aqueduct supply had been made in two ways. First, reaching the watering passing under the aqueduct by building a Payab (place of standing), which has been either public or private, (also known as Pakane in Yazd) and second, by directing the water from aqueduct to the storage of water reservoir (Ayuzian, 1995, p. 14). Using water (access) Roofed storage Almost all the urban, rural, on-the-way, and even home water reservoirs have roofed and covered storage that their storage space is either dome shape or a flat surface (mostly home water reservoirs). These water reservoirs are more suitable from hygienic point of view and the water inside them is ventilated and cooled by the windcatchers or holes in the ceilings. The number of windcatchers is 1 to 7 and in most of them are 2 and the main material used in them including brick and mortar. However, water reservoirs with adobe and mud are also seen as well. in a short distance from the tank, the stairways are placed that are connected to a space named Pashir (small basement that the water reservoir valve is connected to its wall) and for removing water from the water reservoir we should necessarily have access to this value(Masserat, 2010, p. 33).Open tank these types of water reservoirs are as well-known as pool or pool water reservoir and according to the definition of Professor Baghbanzadeh, manual water reservoir is a water reservoir that its water can be removed with hand either with the palm of the hand or with the use of a Bucket or container [this water reservoir also exists in two type, one that the stairs of getting water has been located inside the reservoir and doesn’t have value(Masserat, 2010, p. 33).


Ventilation With pores These are water reservoirs that don’t have windcatcher and for the ventilation of the surface of the water and below the roof and cooling water are using the help of the hole and pores placed in the roof or the body of the reservoir (Masserat, 2010, p.33). Water reservoirs with windcatcher These types of water reservoirs have windcatchers for ventilating the weather above the water surface and beneath the roof and cooling the existing water in the reservoir that again according to the number of the windcatchers are categorized. Different instances of these water reservoirs are: one-wincatcher water reservoir, the reservoir in front of Emamzadeh Shanbeh Yazd, three-windcatchers water reservoir located Malmir gate of Yazd, five-windcaters water reservoir located in Amir Chakhmagh and six-windcatchers water reservoir in the six windcatcher neighborhood of Yazd and seven-windcaters water reservoir in the village of Asr Abad near Hojat Abad Yazd. Most of the Yazd water reservoirs are having two or four windcatchers. Even the construction type of these windcatchers is different, like four, six or eight-dimensional or with windcater with holds on top of the water reservoir hole in Yazd exist. In Ardakan and Meibod the windcatchers of the water reservoirs are having one direction and are directed toward north (Masserat, 2010, p. 33). Material Stone Still there are some stone water reservoirs seen in corners of Iran; however, the oldest stone water reservoir related to the Sasanid period had been seen by Mahmoud Mashroteh on his way from Yazd to Taft that year ago was ruined (Maserate, 2010, p. 33). Adobe There are so many water reservoirs in Yazd and around it which are made of adobe or mud, especially hand water reservoirs (the ones that the water is drawn from them by hand). However, there are still some water reservoirs in Yazd that their reservoirs and even windcatchers are made of adobe and some have a coating of brick for protection and some have a coating of plaster of clay and straw such as Abulmali water reservoir that only its entrance is made of brick (Masserat, 2010, p. 33). Brick Almost most of the water reservoirs existing in Yazd are made of brick, even some of the on-the-way, inn and etc water reservoirs that are totally from the bottom of the reservoir to the roof, walls, stairs, windcatchers and entrance are from Ghazaghi brick and are only covered with burr at their stairs for a longer life with the passage of time. (Masserate, 2010, p. 33). Maxim Siroux has divided water reservoirs in terms of shape into two groups. Cylindrical and cubic

They are excavated in the ground and therefore not so much expensive; however, their covers which are domes are space consuming. These water reservoirs can be small (20 to 30 m3 of capacity) or big (84 to 88 m3 of capacity). (Siroux, 1969, p. 244). Hall shaped water reservoirs These are in the form of columned halls that sometimes they have eight corners .Usually this type of water reservoirs is built among caravanserai. In cities large columned water reservoirs had been built(Siroux, 1969, p. 224). Ornaments Simple Compound Ornaments in water reservoirs are seen depending on the native architecture of every region that is rooted in the native principles of the people of that land. Size Water reservoirs considering the location position, land, and economic position have been built in different sizes. Building characteristics of water reservoirs The building characteristics of water reservoirs can be summarized in some elements of reservoir, reservoir cover, stairs and most probably windcatcher; however, each of these elements have characteristics that describing them is important in gaining a better understanding of water reservoirs. Building elements of water reservoir considering their specific function each have their unique building characteristics that are observable in different water reservoirs around the country. For example, storing a large volume of water inside the underground reservoir of these water reservoirs requires a structure that can tolerate the pressure exerted by the volume of water. Also, Lack of careful following the considerations regarding the proper sealing of the reservoir will cause the leakage of water and will cause some problem for the reservoir and its users. On the other hand for having a cold water and preventing its evaporation, some coatings are built for covering the reservoir that have the general characteristics of the vaulted building. in Yazd reservoir are build in circle and have a dome shape cover which is a common method in building water reservoirs(Memarian, 1992, 87, 127). Water reservoir building For building water reservoir three fundamental factors was being considered: Spatial location The city of Yazd like other dry cities with little rain has been placed near roads and Aqueduct in order to be able to provide the water needed by its residents. Together with the expansion and development of cities the residents of the new neighborhoods have multiple Thoughts in their mind, first, securing drinking water with digging Aqueduct and then using the secured water from it and directing it toward their land, tanks and water reservoirs that after storing it


in their reservoirs they were thinking to keep the water good and usable during the warm and hot months and after that they started to think about placing these water reservoirs near public spaces with large number of population (Masserat, 2010, p. 66). Land location In general architectures for building water reservoirs would have considered the following: 1- The land should not be chosen in salt lands. 2- The land should not be in a non-hygienic place and near a cemetery. 3- There would be no three around it so that the roots of the three will not damage the walls of the water reservoir. 4- The land should not be gypsum, because in that case the water will penetrate the ground and it will pressure the

walls and the body and eventually will corrode those walls. 5- The best ground is the rock and hard ground because it has enough resistance, its shape doesn’t change and water

cannot penetrate it (Noorbakhsh, 2002, p. 81-82). Economic position Without any doubt the economic or the financial position of the person or persons building the water reservoir had been influential on the choice of land, construction and the quality of water reservoir in terms of application of the types of materials, shapes and ornaments and size (Nozari, 1992, p. 134). Implementation stages of water reservoir The first stage shows the consideration of the location and type of soil and the native principle of architecture that itself show sustainability, the second stage is excavation stage. In the next stage the well is excavated that in the next stage to that the materials are selected considering the ecology of the area that this selection is done considering the type of function of the structure.In the next stage, considering the type of the soil of the location and the way of preventing the accidents is the stage of constructing the floor that in this stage the insulation and sealing receive attention. The next stage which is that most important and main stage of the construction is the stage of building the reservoir that is different considering the climate and native architecture of every region and the shape of the reservoirs are Cylindrical or square. After specifying the shape of the reservoir the walls are built. The thickness type of the wall is determined considering the coating type, capacity of the reservoir and the ground type of the location of the reservoir. The next stage is to build the Parof or in local language “Ja’Pa” which is 90 cm high and 10 cm raised and has been built to provide a support and place for the feet of the workers at the time of Dredging, removing the sludge and repairing. The next stage is to build a well known as “Shotor Galo” (Trap) which was used as a channel for going inside the reservoir and clearing the water surface out of the garbage. After this architectures would have built three holes one for entry of water and the other two (one to half a meter lower than the first hole) for overflow and the other one for bring out the garbage. In the next stage the number of openings, considering the number of windcatchers and specifying the number of openings and work of Qamh starts which is the most difficult part of making a water reservoir in which covering the roof (ceiling) of the reservoir or making the roof is started. After making the rood, it is the turn of making the “Rozan” (a cover with holes on top of the reservoir for ventilation), “stairway” and “Pashir”. And after this stage the entrance and its elements including vault, platform and Saqakhaneh would have been built (Masserat. 2010, pp 66- 109). Introducing six-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd This water reservoir is the only structure with six windcatcher which is famous due to having tall, beautiful and octagonal windcatchers and a grand egg shape dome. The structure has two entrance with two stairways and two “Pashir” at the two sides of the reservoir which are almost along each other that one of has been desgined for Muslims with portal and stairway and a very beautiful station at south and the other in the northern part with less space and ornaments for Zoroastrians. (some rejects this idea due to lack of existence of Zoroastrians in this area and believe that the reason that this place has been made in two entrance might be that it is locate in a populated area). (Olia, 1996, p. 130).

Figure (1): six-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (cultural heritage of Yazd)

Figure (2): six-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (cultural heritage of Yazd)


Figure (3): a cross section of six-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (cultural heritage of Yazd)

The stairway is consisted of two open and closed parts and the entrance is located in the beginning of the closed part, the southern entrance which reaches to “Pashir” with 55 stairs. In front of the entrance of it and in the middle of 25 th and 26th stair from the top there is one Vestibule which has been covered with brick and although it doesn’t have any entrance in the open area; however, the architectures with creating two hollows and bumps in its walls have created a static space (Memarian, 1992, 52).

Figure (4): northern entrance (Muslims), six-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (cultural heritage of Yazd)

As the shape and construction of the windcatchers show, three windcatchers have been first built with three circular reservoirs and then three more windcatchers that are different with the skill and proficiency of its architectures Gholomreza Master Ali Siah have been added at the time of reconstruction of the structure (Memarian, 54), (apparently in 1952). Builders for better and maximized used of the flowing winds in Yazd have built the windcatchers in octagonal shape. The height of the reservoir and windcatchers, the beautiful architecture of the windcatchers, beautiful entrances and brick ornaments and decorations with Mogharnas works are among the pleasant features and advantages of this structure. As hold writes:” using windcatcher especially in Yazd has reached its perfection, where there are so many water reservoirs with 4 windcatchers and the famous water reservoir with 6 windcatcher is showing off”. (Hold. Encyclopedia Iranica). (Masserat, 2010, p. 147)

Figure (5): southern entrance, six-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (authors) (southern entrance, Zoroastrians entrance, less

decorations, Arch Cap)

Figure (6): Figure (5): northern entrance, six-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (authors) (southern entrance, Zoroastrians

entrance, less decorations, Arch Cap)


Figure (7): windcatcher rack, six-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (authors) (12 meters windcatcher, beveled at the corner of the

racks, dominant windcatcher on the reservoir)

6- Introducing five-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (Traditional Fatemi) This structure has a reservoir with a circular plan with a arched ceiling of zigzag type and with 5 octagonal windcatchers and the material used in them are adobe, brick, mud, mortar, stone and wood and it has a brick entrance without any ornament and decoration which is located in the closed section.

Figure (8): five-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (authors)

Figure (9): Entrance, five-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (authors)

Figure (10): Staircase between the stairway, five-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (cultural heritage of Yazd)


Figure (11): Plan of five-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (cultural heritage of Yazd)

In the way of stairway on staircase is seen. This is due to being on the Drainage path of new Aqueduct using freshwater that was coming from Khavidak desert.

Figure (12): cross section view: five-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (cultural heritage of Yazd)

Figure (13): Dome roof and five windcatcher, five-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (authors)

This structure with 5 beautiful and grand windcatchers and being located at the historical axis of Yazd has a Exquisite greatness which is built in the year of 845. (Masserat, 2010, p. 133).

Figure (14): roofed entrance of stairway, five-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (authors)


Figure (15): Stairway, five-windcatcher water reservoir of Yazd (authors)

Discussion In this section the useful results on saving energy consumption in Yazd water reservoirs will be introduced: Reservoir Considering our study of the water reservoirs and their location position, we can see that the focus has been on placing them beside public structures and on land with sufficient resistance and landslides force. And as much as the used materials less the made expenses less so the architectures would have built them inside the ground. The reason of placing reservoir / tank of water reservoirs in the heart of the ground was to use the latent potential of ground, i.e., its coolness in the summer and its warmness in the winter to make the water cold in the summer and to prevent from its freezing in the winter. One of the factors that make water drinkable and nice to taste is the amount of oxygen in it and as much as the level of oxygen is more in the water, it will appear better to taste. The reason of using cylindrical shape reservoirs in Yazd has been due to their relative low cost of production, their greater body resistance and creation of even pressure to the body which was one of the techniques used by architectures in Yazd and also for preventing contamination they would have used salt rock for preventing the growth of bacteria at the surface of the water and reservoir. Floor The architecture of these structures at the floor of their structures with the use of soil mortar and lime and no concrete plan during the hot months due to creation of cracks and drying and use of lead with a thickness of 10 to 15 cm have prevented the penetration of humidity to the bottom and also prevented the change of the shape of the ground. This will help the water to remain cold in the hot summer. Another thing which is seen in making the floor of the water reservoirs is that fact that the down diameter is larger than the up diameter of the reservoir and this is effective in reducing the pressure of water and hence not damaging the reservoir. Walls In building the wall for reducing the consumption of energy burr for Contrasting with moisture and reducing lateral forces and the use of brick in a wave like to give more strength to the structure is seen. Thick walls in water reservoirs prevent the penetration of cold weather from inside to the outside and seal the water reservoirs in the cold winter. Stairway In water reservoir, stairway has an important role in saving energy consumption, in a way that for having sufficient light in the stairway, it has been direct and Perpendicular to the reservoir and storage of the water reservoir and in them they have given attention to the sunrise and sunset, movement of the moon and getting light from open stairways as well as closed (roofed) ones. Also, in water reservoirs some chambers are seem in the beginning of the stairway and staircase as relaxing space. Dome In the dry and hot climates the dome like roofs are used. Among the climatic features of the dome-shaped and Arched roofs in dry and hot areas is that the height of the reservoir from the floor up to the beneath the floor (vault) is so much and hence can create a kind of vertical natural ventilation in the reservoir. Another advantage of these types of vaults is that wind passes more easily from the convex surface and hence causes less destruction and erosion. Architectures with the use of dome-shaped roof in these water reservoirs as well as having access to proper materials and radiation of a beam of sunlight to the roof have made the weather under the roof cool and have protected the weather from contamination as well. The effect of wind In water reservoirs the wind will evaporate the surface of the water at the area just beneath the dome and this will get the heat of the water surface and makes it cool. Windcatchers Windcatchers are one of the effective elements in water reservoirs that play an important role in cooling the water, ventilating it, keeping it healthy and decomposing organic materials and have been built at both sides of the water reservoirs in octagonal or rectangular shapes in order to make use of the winds. Architectures for cooling the water have tried to use as more as possible of these windcatchers and have tried to make them as much as possible tall. Windcatchers have an important role of entering the cool weather and taking out the hot and polluted weather. Also, with Suction and blowing will prevent the water corruption and the change of its taste and smell. Another important factor in building the windcatchers is the existence of racks around them with shapes and sizes proportional to the wind and also the existence of flat or convex parts in the corners in windcatchers. Windcatchers are placed vertical to reservoir for proper and effective exchange of air in water reservoirs.


Materials In water reservoirs using materials with high thermal capacity for delaying thermal exchange between inside and outside environment and as well as in the water reservoirs and using appropriate materials such as brick would have prevented the moisture descent from ground to the walls. Conclusion Considering our assessments of the case studies and the field study performed it is concluded that the architectures of these water reservoirs for using the latent energy in the ground and optimized usage of the thermal adjustment and soil thermal capacity and preventing water freezing in winters and also using healthy and cool water in hot summer have adopted appropriated strategies. With considering the direction of desirable winds and sunlight and moonlight in moonlit nights for ventilation, Preventing the spread of harmful bacteria and making water cool, a certain shape and geometry, proper materials, proper wall thickness and proper type of coating in the ceiling and roof and type of access and entrance to water reservoir, all have been adopted and deployed wisely and carefully. Water reservoirs without the benefit of non-renewable energy have had an important role in reducing energy consumption and comfort of their users that with rational utilization and understanding the underlying mechanisms of climate and environmental sustainability in harmony with conservation and renewable energy storage we can as well provide and maintain the right to choose for the next generation. Resources 1-Abedini, Majid and et al., (1995), Water reservoir, The Great Islamic Encyclopedia, Tehran: 2nd edition, vol.1, Great Islamic Encyclopedia Center. 2-Siroux, Maxim, (1970), the caravanserai of Iran and small buildings on the way, translated by Issa Behnam, Tehran: Organization of National protected monuments. 3-Masserat, Hossein,( 2010), a survey in Yazd water reservoirs, Andishmandan. 4-Memarian, Gholam Hossein,(1992), an introduction in architecture of Yazd water reservoirs, Tehran, Iran University of Science and Technology. 5-Memarian, Gholam Hossein,( 2012), Iranian architecture, Tehran, Soroush Danesh. 6-Afshar, Iraj, (1975 and 1969), Monuments of Yazd, Tehran: Association of National Monuments, Vol. 1 & 2. 7-Kardavani, Parviz, (1989), Resources and problems of water in Iran, Tehran: Tehran University. 8-Mostoufi, Bafghi, Mohammad Mofid,(1962), Jamde Mofidi, with the efforts of Iraj Afshar, vol. 1 & 3. 9-Balkhi, Farsnameh, with the efforts of Gay Lesternege and Raynold Nickelson , (1984), Tehran: Donyaye Ketab. 10-Parviz, (1987), water reservoir, in Encyclopedia of Shia books, under supervision of Ahmad Bonyad Islami. 11-Pirnia, (1974), Iran's gifts to the world of architecture, Payab, Art and People, issue, 139, pp 25 – 31. 12-Eivazian, Simon, (1995), formation of Caravanserai out of the cities, Book of Articles Collections of Congress of Architectural History and urbanization of Iran, Tehran, cultural heritage of Iran, vol. 1. 13-Abulashagh, Ebrahim, (1961), principles of countries, with the effort of Iraj Afshar, Tehran: translation and publication agency. 14-Poor Moghadas, Hossein et al., spring of (2003), chemical and microbial studies of rural water reservoirs in Golestan province, Journal of Water and Waste, Esfahan, issue 45, p. 31. 15-Abulghasem Ibn Ahmad, (1989), Ashkal al-alam, translated by Ali Ibn Abdolsalam Kateb, Mashhad, Astan Quds Razavi, publications of Beh. 16-Olia, Mohammad Reza, traditional art and architecture of Yazd, Yazd, The diamond of the desert, Governor of Yazd, (1996), pp. 119 – 130. 17-Ghasemzadeh, Masoud, Kari, Bahrouz, Tahmasebi, Farhang. (2010). Rural housing and regulations for saving in energy consumption, housing and rural environment, issue 131, pp 51 – 60. 18-Noorbakhsh, Hossein, Water ponds in Persian Gulf, People’s culture, (1999), summer of 2002, 1st year, issue 2, p. 91. 19-Ayatollahzadeh Shirazi, Bagher, Water reservoirs at the border of the desert, Archaeology, spring and summer of (1970), and Iran’s Art, issue 5, p. 36. 20-Chap Nou Galss, J. et al., Environmental engineering, and vol. 1: water and sewage, translated by Mohammad Ali Kei Nejad and Sirus Ebrahimi, 2nd edition, Tabriz, Sahand University of Technology, (2004). 21-Bolokbashi, Ali, Water reservoir, In Children and Adolescence Book Encyclopedia, Tehran, children and adolescence publications,( 1992), vol.1, pp 13-15. 22-Farajzadeh Asl, Manochehr, Ghorbani, Ahmad, Lashkari, Hossein. (2008), studying the architectural conformity of the buildings of Sannadaj with its climatic conditions with the use of Mahoney method, Humanities journal, vol. 12, issue 2, 161 – 180.

Mohammad Rahimzadeh Bashmahaleh, Master student of Architecture, University of Art and Architecture, Islamic Azad University of Yazd, Yazd, Iran Saeed Ghassemi, Educator, Architecture department, Institute of Higher Education of Eshragh, Bojnourd, Iran

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