The Socio-Spatial Meaning in Traditional Houses of Arak

The pattern of social interactions and performing main activities is two aspects of lifestyle. Therefore they are considered as cultural features. The aim of this research is to clarify the role of Pattern of activities to make meaning of spaces in traditional houses. This research is based on Rapoport’s theory about the meaning of the build environment. Hence, the pattern of the main activities is studied a selection of traditional houses of Arak (a central city in Iran), and is evaluated by different indicators of social meaning: stranger/familiar, individual/collective, male/female, and daily/nightly. Each of these indicators is equivalent to these following socio-spatial meanings of the spaces: formal/intimate, public/private, male/female territory, and daily/nightly domain. Then, socio-spatial meaning of spaces is compared with physical features of the spaces. Finally, research indicates that this following factors: space dimensions; space position in regard to the yard; entrance, ground; the internal and external decorations are caused the various activities to be performed in special spaces, and consequently be created different socio-spatial meaning of spaces.