Analysis of traditional architecture in building the capital of Qajar period Mofakhem

The architecture of the mansion of Dar-al-HokomehMofakham, as one of the prominent monuments of ‌the city of Bojnourd during Qajar era architecture, enjoys the richness of traditional Iranian architecture both in terms of function and aesthetics. In the midst, the architecture of this building has not been deprived of cultural, social, historical and artistic factors of its own age.
Furthermore, the objective representation of this impact is more tangible and visible in the architectural details of the sturucture of Mofakham mansion, including its design, plan, art decorations, etc. However, unfortunately, this issue has not been considered as the focus study and concern of architects in identifying and recognizing different rich architectural aspects in the structure of this edifice. In this regard, investigating the traditional Iranian architecture and its evolution in Qajar period as well as recognizing the overall architecture of the aforementioned building is so considerable. The present article makes attempts to explore the effects of traditional architecture of Qajar era on the structure of Dar-al-HokomehMofakham mansion, especially in the two aesthetic and functional areas. The investigation of the aesthetic areas deals with the aesthetic criteria of Mofakham mansion in the historical context of Ghajar era. As a rule, these criteria were consistent on and based upon needs of its own time, among which we can mention to the following: the use of symmetry in elongation of the edifice, the use of colored tiles, mainly turquoise, azure blue and yellow, the application of different styles in tiling of the column capitals, particularly the tiling of roof above the porches.
Thus, according to the stated purpose, hypothesis of this research shows that, it seems that, traditional architecture and at the same time Western Qajar era architecture has been impact on Mofakham building in various aspects (functional and aesthetic building).
Methodologically speaking, the present study is kind of descriptive-analytic research whose data is considered to be analyzed in a comparative study between the characteristics of the mansion of Dar-al-HokomehMofakham in Bojnourd and the architecture of Qajar era. The method of data collection in the present study is in the form of documentary and field study. Iranian art and architecture during Qajar era were under the influence of the currents of modernization and development which found out a more pronounced and different appearance. However, these achievements entered more into the body and spirit of the architecture of the time, in buildings and mansions. The overall findings of the present study indicate that, in spite of the influence of Western architecture, the architecture of Qajar period, more or less, succeeded to improve and promote the old architectural patterns and bring about innovations in functional and aesthetic aspects. In a way that in spite of some Western architectural influences in this period, the architecture of this building is still based on fundamental principles of Iranian-Islamic architecture, such as the principle of interiority, intimacy, etc. and with consideration of Iranian traditional arts such as decorative brickwork, tiling and construction of spring house and sash window, etc.