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Mohammadi Khoshbin H, Moradi A. (2025). Transparency and its Characteristics in Talesh Vernacular Housing. Athar. 46(109), 159-181. doi:10.22034/Athar.1857
URL: http://athar.richt.ir/article-2-1857-en.html

Abstract
Transparency has become an increasingly prominent principle in contemporary architecture, recognized as a key strategy for enhancing spatial quality. In the design and construction of modern buildings particularly within the housing sector overemphasis on quantitative metrics and physical requirements has often diminished the richness of spatial experiences. When thoughtfully incorporated into architectural design, transparency can serve as a powerful means of enriching residential environments. This concept encompasses multiple dimensions and components and has been creatively manifested in the vernacular architecture of Gilan. Understanding and applying these traditional interpretations of transparency can offer valuable insights for improving the spatial quality of contemporary residential architecture. The present study aims to identify indicators of transparency in architecture and to examine their application in the traditional houses of Talesh as a case study. Employing a qualitative approach, the first stage provides a descriptive and analytical formulation of the concept, characteristics, and indicators of transparency, supported by library-based research. In the second stage, the components and indicators identified earlier are examined in ten vernacular houses in Talesh, highlighting the physical and spatial manifestations of transparency in these buildings. Results indicate that transparency operates at various levels within the vernacular architecture of Talesh. Physical–structural transparency is expressed through façade elements such as openings, iwan (porches), gholamgardesh (semi-open corridors), telar (terraces), and niches. Visual–perceptual transparency emerges through windows, sightlines, and spatial continuity. Behavioral–functional transparency is shaped by connected spaces, staircases, and semi-open elements like porches and terraces. Finally, semantic–conceptual transparency, though less prevalent, appears in features such as lattice surfaces and the application of color.
Keywords: Transparency, Levels of Manifestation of Transparency, Characteristics and Indicators of Transparency, Vernacular Architecture, Vernacular Housing of Talesh.

Introduction
Transparency is a multifaceted concept that has been studied across diverse scientific disciplines, with its significance steadily increasing over time. In architecture, transparency is understood as both a spatial and visual quality, extending beyond the physical or tangible aspects of a structure to encompass a rich array of dimensions and meanings. Linguistically, the term denotes clarity, purity, brightness, and visibility. In architectural contexts, it refers to characteristics such as translucency, see-through quality, glassiness, and the capacity to transmit light, permitting visual access beyond a surface. Literally, transparency conveys the physical properties of a material, while in practice it relates to the spatial organization and articulation of architectural form. Throughout different historical periods, transparency in architecture has manifested in varying elements and levels, shaped by the prevailing cultural, environmental, and technological conditions of each era. As transparency has emerged as an important design consideration, it is evident that diverse interpretations and applications of this concept are present in the vernacular architecture of different regions.
Gilan Province, located in northern Iran, is geographically divided into two principal zones: mountainous (elevated) regions and lowland plains. Each zone has developed its own distinctive vernacular architectural style. Talesh County, situated within Gilan Province, encompasses the Talesh Mountains, foothills, and plains. This research aims to investigate how various levels and indicators of transparency are expressed in the traditional housing of this region, focusing specifically on vernacular buildings in the plains area of Talesh County. Ten traditional houses were selected as case studies. The study addresses the following key research questions:
• What is transparency?
• What are the different levels of transparency?
• What are the characteristics of Talesh’s vernacular architecture?
• How are the various levels of transparency manifested in the traditional housing of Talesh?
Understanding transparency in architecture can deepen conceptual comprehension and reveal its functional potential. Examining the indicators and expressions of transparency in vernacular buildings not only identifies fundamental architectural principles but also provides guidance for integrating these principles into contemporary architectural design strategies.

Discussion
In architectural discourse, transparency refers to a spatial quality arising from the relationship between a space’s interior and exterior surfaces. It mitigates the solidity of these boundaries, fostering a sense of openness. Transparency may be classified into three principal dimensions—visual clarity, perceptual transparency, and conceptual or semantic transparency—each manifesting at different levels. For analytical purposes, these levels can be grouped into four main categories:
1. Physical–Structural Transparency — Evident in spatial geometry, material reduction, the use of transparent surfaces, and the visibility of structural elements and form.
2. Visual–Perceptual Transparency — Designed to establish a clear visual connection between interior and exterior. In Iranian architecture, this is exemplified through elements such as Fakhr-o-Madayyen, orsi windows, shabak (lattices), and rozan (small openings).
3. Behavioral–Functional Transparency — One of the most significant levels, perceived through users’ movement and interaction within the space, and strongly associated with spatial continuity.
4. Semantic–Conceptual Transparency — Derives from cultural and spiritual values, manifested in Iranian architecture through symbolic light, mystical concepts, and Islamic motifs such as eslimi patterns.
Vernacular architecture is a direct reflection of the cultural identity, customs, and lifestyle of its region. The traditional houses of Talesh—located in the western part of Gilan Province exemplify this approach. Characteristic features include elongated rectangular plans, sloped roofs, minimal ornamentation, functional layouts, the absence of basements, high porosity in main façades, integration with natural surroundings, aligned dual-sided openings, and the use of locally sourced materials. In this study, transparency levels in ten vernacular houses of Talesh were analyzed according to four criteria: physical–structural (structural perception), visual–perceptual (visual understanding), behavioral–functional (spatial experience), and semantic–conceptual (mental interpretations). Each criterion was subdivided into three indicators, and the presence of these elements was systematically evaluated. Findings highlight the pivotal role of gholamgardesh, iwan (porches), and telar (terraces) in enhancing transparency within Talesh architecture. These elements not only permit greater daylight penetration into interior spaces but also contribute to physical, visual, and spatial perceptions of transparency. Openings, including doors, windows, and niches further increase transparency by revealing additional spatial layers and reducing material mass. Staircases add spatial fluidity and strengthen perceptual continuity. The incorporation of railings and lattice surfaces supports both physical and symbolic transparency, resonating with Islamic artistic traditions. Moreover, the use of color in architectural components enriches symbolic and mystical interpretations, deepening the conceptual understanding of transparency.

Conclusion
An in-depth understanding of transparency and its associated indicators can serve as an effective strategy for enhancing spatial quality in contemporary building design. These principles and their distinctive features have long been embedded in vernacular architecture. By examining how transparency manifests in traditional residential buildings, architects can derive strategies applicable to modern design practices. In the vernacular housing of Talesh, transparency occupies a central position. The architectural tradition of this region employs various elements to achieve spatial transparency, with telar (terrace), iwan (porch), gholamgardesh (semi-open corridor), and aligned openings playing the most prominent roles. Beyond their practical and functional applications, these components exert the greatest influence at the behavioral–functional level of transparency. Furthermore, open and semi-open spaces at the physical–structural level, coupled with reduced spatial boundaries at the visual–perceptual level, strengthen the experience of openness. Flat openings contribute to both structural and perceptual transparency. Additional features in Talesh vernacular housing, such as niches, rozan (small windows), staircases, color schemes, and perforated surfaces, also enhance transparency in meaningful ways. By suitably adapting and modernizing these principles whether through the integration of contemporary materials and construction techniques or through alterations in form and spatial organization it becomes possible to more effectively meet human needs and substantially improve the quality of modern housing.