The Qanat technology as a sustainable traditional element in old buildings of Kashan

Absence of water and unpleasant climate in arid and semi-arid regions has led to the invention and application of unique measures for the supply, maintenance and use of water. Ancient methods of groundwater management, such as the qanats system, have a profound influence on the lives of the water users. Therefore, builders try to use natural climatic strategies for confronting hard situations. Intricate systems were developed for the distribution of water from qanats for household consumptions and irrigation. The qanat has operated in conjunction with another structure such as ab-anbar for water storage, ice-house s for ice storage, wind catchers for air conditioning, and water mills for grinding grains. Techniques and principles of this architecture show that considering the experiment in traditional architecture of desert regions is conceivable to create an ecological and sustainable architecture. The goal of paper is to be considered the qanat technology as a sustainable traditional element in old buildings of Kashan because this city has a historical importance; Kashan is one of the oldest human habitations in Iran and life in this city has depended on groundwater resources. There are archaeological remains of one of the oldest qanats and also the other aspects of such as potential for revival, diversity, Socio-cultural and etc are related to qanat. Thus, the availability of water has resulted in prosperity both socially and economically.

Keywords:

Qanat , sustainable architecture , Kashan