Iranian architectural elements

thumb|330px|Multiple iwans and tiled domes of the 16th-century Persian-style Po-i-Kalyan#Mir-i Arab Madrassah|Mir-i-Arab madrasa, [[Bukhara, Uzbekistan]] An iwan (, also ivan or ivān/īvān; ) is a rectangular hall or space, usually vaulted, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open. The formal gateway to the iwan is called '''''', a Persian term for a portal projecting from the facade of a building, usually decorated with calligraphy bands, glazed tilework, and geometric designs. Since the definition allows for some interpretation, the overall forms and characteristics can vary greatly

tradition and style of garden

thumb |An ab anbar (water reservoir) with windcatchers (openings near the top of the towers) in the central desert city of [[Yazd, Iran]] thumb |Aghazadeh Mansion in Abarkooh, [[Iran, has an elaborate 18-m windtower with two levels of openings, plus some smaller windtowers.]]

thumb|right|300px|Yakhchāl of Moayedi, Iran A yakhchāl (; yakh meaning 'ice' and chāl meaning 'pit') is an ancient type of ice house, which also made ice. They are primarily found in the Dasht-e Lut and Dasht-e-Kavir deserts, whose climates range from cold (BWk) to hot (BWh) desert regions.

emblematic arch common in Moorish architecture

thumb|right|260px|Large sahn of the Great Mosque of Kairouan, surrounded by riwaq (arcades), in [[Tunisia.]]

In traditional Persian architecture, a howz () is a centrally positioned symmetrical axis pool. If in a traditional house or private courtyard, it is used for bathing, aesthetics or both. If in a sahn of a mosque, it is used for performing ablutions. A howz is usually around deep. It may be used as a "theatre" for people to sit on all sides of the pool while others entertain.

thumb|The Tomb of Salim Chishti at [[Fatehpur Sikri, India was built in 1581 during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.]]

thumb|The charbagh at the Tomb of Jahangir in [[Lahore, Pakistan]]

thumb|right|Shabestan of the Jameh Mosque of Tabriz; as Tabriz does not have a hot climate, the Shabestan here was not built underground. A shabestan or shabistan (; is an underground space that can be usually found in traditional architecture of mosques, houses, and schools in ancient Iran.

structure in medieval Iranian architecture consisted of four barrel vaults and a dome

traditional Iranian water reservoir

form of garden of Old Iranian origin

thumb|right|Banna'i brickwork in the [[Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasavi. The blue brickwork spells out the names of Allah, Muhammad and Ali in square Kufic calligraphy.]] In Iranian architecture, '''banna'i''' (, "builder's technique" in Persian) is an architectural decorative art in which glazed tiles are alternated with plain bricks to create geometric patterns over the surface of a wall or to spell out sacred names or pious phrases. This technique originated in Syria and Iraq in the 8th century, and matured in the Seljuq and Timurid era, as it spread to Iran, Anatolia and Central Asia.

thumb|A Kucheh in Kashan. Photo was taken from entrance to [[Tabatabai House looking outside into the Kucheh.]] In traditional Persian architecture, a kucheh or koocheh (), is a narrow especially designed alley. Remnants of it are still seen in modern Iran and regional countries.

Ayeneh-kari () is a kind of Iranian interior decoration where artists assemble finely cut mirrors together in geometric, calligraphic or foliage forms (inspired by flowers and other plants). This creates a shining surface covered with complex facets, reflecting light as intricate abstract patterns or glittering reflections. Beside their decorative use, this art form is used as a strong durable cover for interior spaces.

thumb|The zarih in the Al-Askari Shrine which surrounds the graves of Hasan al-Askari, [[Ali al-Hadi, and Narjis Khatun]] thumb|The large wooden zarih built over the grave of Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i before the renovation. A zarih (, , ) or ḍarīḥ () is a lattice structure which usually encloses a grave in a mosque or an Islamic shrine. In some cases, it can also surround a religious relic on display.

thumb|The talar of the Chehel Sotoun palace in [[Isfahan]] A talar or talaar () is a type of porch or hall in Iranian architecture. It generally refers to a porch fronting a building, supported by columns, and open on one or three sides. The term is also applied more widely to denote a throne hall or audience hall with some of these features.