7. Sustainable Wooden Construction of Traditional Houses in Moderate Humid Climate of North Iran

Wood has shown a rich history in the architectural characteristics of most nations. Its importance refers to the natural origin and environmental aspects which emphasize the approach toward sustainable architecture. Its history is particularly highlighted in the humid and moderate regions where the abundance of vegetation intensifies the wide use of wood. In order to learn the valuable lessons from historic architecture and apply them nowadays, recognizing its critical functions and performance in the past is inevitable. Guilan province in Iran benefits from the unique wooden architecture, compatible with the requirements of the area and based on sustainability principles. Determination of these potentials provides new perspectives to take advantage of low-rise residential buildings in this area and similar contexts. In this regard, the major wooden components in structure and elements were studied and their performance and mechanism introduced. However, the wood capabilities are still replicable in this geography, urbanism rate, and common industrial materials, and methods prohibit its development in the construction sector. This chapter seeks to revive its place in the sustainable architecture of the past.