Extracting the design principles of contemporary roadside service complexes using the architectural model of historical Iranian caravanserais

Historical Iranian roadside caravanserais, renowned for their architectural innovation and functional adaptability, offer valuable design principles for contemporary roadside service complexes. A comparative analysis of nine prominent caravanserais—selected through the Delphi method involving 15 architecture specialists—revealed that while the four-iwan plan with a central courtyard dominates (over 65% of cases), significant diversity exists in layouts (e.g., two-iwan, circular, octagonal) and materials, tailored to climatic conditions and geographical locations. This study demonstrates that leveraging these historical models can address modern challenges such as climate responsiveness and cultural identity in roadside infrastructure. The research employed a rigorous comparative approach, integrating theoretical foundations, archaeological documents, and spatial pattern analysis to extract actionable design principles.

Sheykhaleslami, S. F. E. (2026). Extracting the design principles of contemporary roadside service complexes using the architectural model of historical Iranian caravanserais. The Journal of Landscape Architecture and Garden Design, 2(4), 49–66. https://doi.org/10.61838/lagdj.41