Geography’s Effect on Architecture

Geography’s Effect on Kurdish Architecture: The Adaptation of Kurdish

Architecture to Diverse Geographical Ambiences
Lava Eminki

Department of Architectural Engineering, American University of Kurdistan, Duhok, Iraq

Students: lava.eminki@students.auk.edu.krd
Mentor: ahmed.ali@auk.edu.krd

ABSTRACT
Geography and architecture are two closely related and dependent constructs. Construction and design have evolved to generate
an environmentally responsive demeanor shaping the methods and techniques utilized to establish a region's framework of
architectonics. These demeanors have been established throughout the world yet the authentic mountainous and scenic terrain of
Duhok is yet to be assessed. Duhok, Kurdistan indulges in multiple architectural endeavors that articulate the presence of
topographical enhancements; certain neighborhoods that bear the history and beauty of familial genealogies are situated on steep
sloped terrains. These specific terrains exhibit the adaptability of architectural materials and techniques implemented to withstand
the climatic impacts held by the steepness of these inclines through the usage of specific core frameworks and materials. This
research paper examines the intricate relationship between geography and architecture, focusing on the impact of environmental
adaptation on the creation of functional and sustainable living spaces. Utilizing case studies on permeable and sustainable
architectural teachings based in Paris and New Mexico in comparison to a specific examination of Duhok, Kurdistan’s local
housing, emphasizing the challenges met by the presence of impermeable transfiguration on steep topographies including aquatic
damage and drainage issues. Fieldwork on a local house underscores the importance of local materials like stone and clay,
advocating for a combination of stone and crushed stone foundations for stability and permeability. Findings from the site analysis,
observational fieldwork and questionnaire’s reveal insights into the structural integrity, maintenance issues, and lifestyle impacts of
the specific house situated in Khabat St. The study is concluded by highlighting the necessity of permeable practices in
governmental policies to assure sustainable construction in regions with diverse geographical conditions alongside the
establishment of longevity against time.

KEYWORDS
Geography; Architecture; Permeability; Kurdistan; Duhok; New Mexico; Paris; Longevity; Maintenance; Functionality

1. INTRODUCTION
1.2. Effect of Geography on Kurdish Architecture

The construction of geographical culturation is contributed to through environmental adaptation where humans utilize the climatic
conditions, topographic terrains, and natural contributors of the region to generate a functional and resourceful living, creating
constructs of shelter through the fabrication of geo-architecture. Geographical architecture focuses on the sustainability and
functionality of the region as the substructure of the design (Goss, 1988). The specific adaptations create a genre of design
ensuring the project's resilience against the environment's hazards. This research paper will discuss the liability of environmental
consideration in the permeases of design with the establishment of sustainable permeability in geographical architecture.

Architectural limitations degrade the influence of permeable (Designing building in accordance to the maintenance of longevity
and circulation of light and air) endeavors in the face of geographical impingement. Variations of climatic circumstances and
environments include humidity, precipitation and seasonal modifications which substantially influence the advocates of responsive
design; current architects tend to seek the adaptive permeability of structures to assure unctuous conversions of buildings,
enhancing the relevancy of comfort, financial and energy proficiency (Lees, 2011). Failure in the consideration of environmental

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 Geography’s Effect on Architecture

circumstances leads to the construction of unfunctional and costly constructs. The upbringing of limitations through geography
involves the physical structuring and shape of the terrain that potentially yields both opportunities and challenges involving steep
slopes, rocky terrains and coastal locations leading to the authenticity of a spatial layout that necessitates the shapes and structure
of the region to predict and produce the buildings functionality (Abel, 1992).

Geography is the frontier of architectural sanctuary through its ongoing indication of natural catastrophe including wildfires,
hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes shaping an architect's periphery to the specifics of hazardous and resilient based construction
assuring the safety of the project's clients (Shih, 1998). Geographic regions attain their own authentic resources limiting them to a
great eradication of materials resulting in resource depletion and the generation of environmental degradation reconciling with the
informal usage of inappropriate materials. Geographical based infrastructures contribute to a building's accessibility within its
neighborhood through the availableness of main & secondary roads and sewage systems forming environmental authenticity in the
design by means of sustainable constructs, also involving the interjection of natural ventilation, solar heating and rainwater
harvesting, maximizing the utilization of natural surrounding sources.

1.3. International & Independent Contribution:

Multiple international advocates of architectonics have contributed to the constitution of permeably sustainable architecture
through informational research on the adaptability of frameworks in withstanding earthly hazards creating national precautions for
structural longevity.

Specific research’s taken into consideration would include the “11, Rue du Conservatoire and the Permeability of Buildings” by
Lloyd Jenkins which is a research article regarding the construction of a permeable design, adaptively reused throughout time
introducing the capacity held by the buildings characteristics which were elected based on their responsive climatic identifiers.
Thus, including the installation of multiple openings and junctions to articulate the advancement of natural ventilation along with
the excessive presence of natural light generating sustainable maintenance of electrical power (Jenkins, 2002). Such attributes are
highly stressed in the EU, urging national governments to incorporate laws indicating the convention and importance of such
techniques and materials in construction to advance the geographical identity of the territory through architecture (Shih, 1998).

Moreover, alternative contributing research’s include “The Adobe House in New Mexico” by Richard Hyde exhibiting the
relevance of local materials in the regulation of climatic endeavors during the interchangeable play of seasons in the deserts of New
Mexico. The utilization of local and traditional materials assures the effective contribution held by the framework on the
environment and vice versa, indicating the equivalent performance both constructs contribute to the region's comprehensive eco-
friendliness. New Mexico attains a fairly low profile and arid atmosphere pertaining the need for a long-term solution of permeable
architecture to withstand the impact of time and environmental peculiarities (Hyde, 2000).

Throughout both research’s, great precautions taken by the governments implemented laws of construction and architecture are
to be taken into consideration as Kurdistan and specifically Duhok is yet to establish laws that contribute to the foreseen
sustainability of buildings. International contributions acquire great advancements of architectural history and are therefore further
established in their constructional efforts. The independent contribution regarded to throughout this research demonstrates the
varying aspects of architectural materials and infrastructures along with the impacts they receive and implement on their
surroundings. Such attributions will be performed through fieldwork which involves a site analysis, questionnaire, observation and
examination of materials and general structures.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. “11, Rue du Conservatoire and the Permeability of Buildings” by Lloyd Jenkins

Permeability, the measure or degree of simplistic anthropoid motion and activity with ease, “11, Rue du Conservatoire and the
Permeability of Buildings” a study by Lloyd Jenkins investigates the varying cascades of natural constructs within the interior and
exterior spatial layouts of a design. Lloyd Jenkins discusses the permeability and modifications of use held by the 11, Rue de
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Conservatoire building (By Baptiste-Antoine Arles-Dufour) situated in (Marais District) Paris, France. Jenkins stresses the
importance of humane connections within the networks of local and residential buildings along with its effect of geography on the
formation of these links and connections as permeable architecture is only possible if the construct is built based on the foundation
of geographical limitations. The action of being permeable eases the modification of architectural styles with respect to periodic
facilitation, cultural traditions in one's neighborhood formulated through the endearing relationships humans generate with the local
alliances based in the main neighborhood (network) (Jenkins, 2002).

Permeability is subject to change in accordance with time, Jenkins focuses on the location, physical attributes and history of the 11,
Rue du Conservatoire where he specifies the multiple uses of the building along a timeline, he mentions its use as a commercial
warehouse, factory, printing press and a theater while also signifying each transformation in regards to the modifications sensed in
geography. The Marais district was initially a Jewishly led region which held its decline as a religiously valued district, it disregarded
the use of the building as a commercial warehouse in opposition, Marais grew on the accounts of touristic establishments leading to
its reutilization as a theater (Jenkins, 2002).

Lloyd (2002) stresses the concept of dynamics within the structure of a building stating the engagement and affairs held through the
alliance and relationship between geography and architecture leading to permeability and their effect on social psychology. The
permeability of the building is justified through its welcomeness as it acquired features like large windows and doors on the façade
to generate openness from any walk by its airy and welcoming characteristics. He pushes architects to utilize the concept of
permeability in their favor, to enhance the functionality of the structures based on geographical impacts while also generating
sustainable and lasting constructs that can withstand history (Jenkins, 2022).

Figure 1. Permeable architecture in 11 rue de conservatoire

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 Geography’s Effect on Architecture

Figure 2. Multiple openings are installed within the building to assure natural ventilation and illumination

This specific report stresses the significant disparity in Kurdistan's status in comparison to the 11, Rue de Conservatoire and the
usage of permeable architecture. Duhok specifically, is a continuously expanding city that acquires a population of 1 million people.
The rapid growth of the city has led to the formation of multiple predicaments including air pollution, traffic congestion and lack of
affordable housing. Permeability faces the Kurdish region as a concept of relative advancement since its known as a highly
impermeable region that acquires buildings with the presence of high walls and fences constructing negative altitudes to the general
architectural networks.

2.2. “The Adobe House in New Mexico” By Richard Hyde

Figure 3. Sustainability in adobe houses, New Mexico through temperature regulation

New Mexicans have generated great monumental value through the formation of their adobe houses. These dwellings are the
attestation of New Mexico’s architectural landscape's history and heritage. The incorporation of traditional materials including the
timeless sun-dried adobe bricks, sand, straw, clay, and water into thick walls by means of establishing climatic regulating
characteristics. This specific strategy exhibits the climax of authentic passive design generated through the significance of the
dwelling's sustainability and environmental impact in a desert like region. Hence, acquiring great sustainability, limitations are still
met as the natural materials are subject to destruction through moisture defection creating cracks that can lead to erosion and
sensitivity in instances that involve natural destructions (earthquakes). The preservation of these modules is reserved through the
Adobe Preservation Alliance to accentuate the importance of the adobe architecture (Hyde, 2000).

Moreover, instances of such qualification are not met in Kurdistan. The Kurdish region has acquired the trendiest and most up to
date classifications of architecture, yet the maintenance of sustainability and the proper investments is not easily met. Such aspects
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are possible through the advancement of specific architectural genres including permeable architecture which allows the longevity
and establishment of a building's stability and corporation amid its neighborhoods.

3. METHODS AND PROCEDURES

3.1. Case Study: Analysis of Environmentally Responsive Architecture in Local Kurdish Housing

Strategic Framework:

Figure 4. Framework of methodology and general structuring of the research

3.2. Data Collected: Local House at Khabat St.

Fieldwork: Conducting fieldwork studies assures the exact characterization of the location including the condition, stability,
temperature, and atmosphere of the area. This was conducted through the formation of an Indepth analysis through a site visit
along with the construction of a depth map to acquire the foot traffic and credibility of the specific neighborhood mentioned. The
welfare of the area was examined through a questionnaire with emphasis on the community and lifestyle of the people living in the
house.

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 Geography’s Effect on Architecture

Figure 5. Local house on Khabat St.

3.3. A Local House on a Steep Slope (Located on Khabat St.)

A local 80-year-old house (350 m^2) located on the initial top of a slope (Figure 6) on Khabat St. Duhok is subject to multiple
geographic endeavors. The neighborhood’s atmosphere is liable to specific impacts indulged by the presence of the structural core
and foundational stability against the steepness of its topography. The house is subject to both advantages such as natural
ventilation and disadvantages including erosion, landslides, and foundation failure. The region's general condition has fathomed
stability through its longevity and attempts at renovations throughout the years.

Figure 6. Front elevation of the structure

This specific house has indulged the usage of terracing to manage the slope the building is situated upon, ensuring the
minimization of possible excavation and grading. The building is shaped into a terrace of two platforms that allow the presence of
a garage and an open courtyard. This house is also at an advantage when it comes to solar gain as it faces the south and is subject
to present heat during winters. The specific structure attains a stone foundation which is highly functional when it comes to the

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 Geography’s Effect on Architecture

preservation of stability yet it's not a permeable attribute of construction as most stone foundations engage in drainage
complications meaning the instability of water movement if drainage systems fail to function, possibly causing the accumulation of
moisture that could be subject to frame frost resulting into foundation failure due to cold weathers (Figure 7).

Figure 7. Structure is subject to erosion, landslides & foundation failure

The terrain achieves a softer slope towards the basement region of the building which is situated on the second platform. The
mildness of this slope sustains the accumulation of moisture in the region, this results in water damage on both the building's
interior and exterior (Figure 8). This house has been met with multiple issues involving the drainage circulation causing the
eradication of usage in the cellar sector concluding constant costly renovations of the basement to maintain the buildings general
permanence and structure.

Figure 8. Aquatic damage on the basement; the white patches are the multiple attempts of renovation

To assure the welfare of the people living in the house a questionnaire was conducted (with 15 citizens) to pledge the stability of the neighborhood's social
welfare.

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 Geography’s Effect on Architecture

3.4. Questionnaire:
1. How often do you have to have your house inspected for structural integrity?
2. What are the common maintenance issues you face with your house?
3. How do you deal with water drainage on your property?
4. What are the costs associated with maintaining a house on a sloped hill?
Lifestyle:
5. How does living on a sloped hill affect your daily activities?
6. What are some of the safety precautions you take when living on a sloped hill?
7. How does your house's layout and design affect your lifestyle?
8. What are some of the unique challenges and joys of living in an old house?
Community:
9. How does living on a sloped hill affect your sense of community?
10. What are some of the challenges and benefits of living in a neighborhood with older homes?
11. How does the history of your neighborhood influence your living experience?
12. What are some of the ways you and your neighbors support each other?
13. Are there any specific concerns you have about the future of your home or neighborhood?

4. RESULTS
According to the conducted fieldwork and observational analysis, the most suitable solution to accommodate the weight of the
building and the stability of the structure while also maintaining a proper drainage system is by combining a stone foundation and a
crushed stone foundation. The combination of both will generate a resilient framework withstanding the dangers of material
preservation against water and the potency of the foundation against the steepness of the slope with accordance to the weight of
the structure avoiding both erosions and landslides through maintaining a boundary of stone foundation around the territory and
incorporating crushed stone foundation on the core base to insure the presence of a natural drainage system. The cooperation of
this aspect will generate a longevity of 50-80 years to the buildings structure. Water prevention could also be achieved through
waterproofing constructs such as the roof or the walls of the building to maintain the hazards of aquatic damage.

Figure 9. The difference between stone & crushed stone foundations

Modern houses nowadays contribute to these hazards through the usage of concrete and steel, benefacting more costly and
irrelevant approach's such as demolishing and rebuilding the structures using modern approaches by means of inapplicably
contributing to the state of the building. Construction on slopes is also capable of agitating the basis of vegetation and disturbance
of soil which can result into landslides and erosion due to heavy rain as constructs involving vegetation maintain the compactness
of soil which could also be impacted by the strength and power of wind. The stability of this specific house is not affected by the
impacts of wind as most houses in the neighborhood are intricately connected and preserved into one through their initial
construction with the corporation of robust local materials including mudbricks.

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 Geography’s Effect on Architecture

Other effective approaches of permeability involve the installation of double skin and ventilated facades which formulate a region
between the exterior and interior, aiding in the circulation of air and natural ventilation while also enhancing a visual connection
between the exterior and interior of the building by exchanging basic walls with constructs such as curtain walls and glass openings
to generate relevant and aesthetic openness in the infrastructure. These translucent approaches are all to be met to create an
utmost building that generally contributes to the structure's advantages along with the neighborhood's general welfare.

4.1. Atmospheric Results & Materials:

The immense significance of geography in construction has designated the shape and methodology of design in Duhok, especially
when steep hills or slopes are indulged. Duhok's mountainous terrain is perceived as one of the utmost astonishing regions in
Kurdistan, the beauty of these steep valleys and slopes is also present with challenges of construction therefore the utilization of
multiple techniques and materials must be examined to generate an adaptable building within the environment. Duhok attains a
very rhythmic geographical algorithm (Figure 8) that remains hot and dry in the summers (+41°C) and cool and wet in the winters
(-2°C), the maintenance of a building's framework necessitates the assurance of climatic variations and their preservation. Local
materials such as stone and clay are to be utilized to maintain a structure's inner temperature and longevity. This is due to the high
thermal mass attained by the materials which assures the structures capability of absorbing, storing, and releasing the heat it attains
throughout time.

Figure 10. Average annual temperatures of Duhok, Kurdistan

The presence of these materials generates a natural temperature regulator as during the day elevated temperatures and heat are
absorbed by the materials to maintain the buildings internal frigidity and released during the nights to keep the buildings warmth.
Furthermore, these materials are exceptionally durable and affordable in the local construction markets of Kurdistan, they are also
a great contributor to the maintenance of the structure as it was built using these specific mudbricks, yet the internal features have
been renovated to maintain the buildings aesthetic in accordance to the addition of these specific materials.

4.1. Questionnaire: Results

1. Every 3-4 years.
2. The main complications faced with the house are drainage issues (water damage) in the basement and washing closets.
3. We usually get professional tests done annually to rid the house of any complications.
4. Usually, a few hundred dollars
Lifestyle:
5. Walking back from the mosque down the road is challenging along with driving down the slope and securing parking
spots.
6. Changing the drainage system & access paths.
7. After renovating the house, our daily endeavors have been highly developed.
8. Carrying the memories of your parents, children, and grandchildren.
Community:
9. It does not really acquire any specific affect; the neighborhood is very connected with one another.
10. Challenges: Maintenance, updates, and energy efficiency & Benefits: Charm, Quality and Community
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11. It greatly contributes to the beauty of living here as most of the family was raised there.
12. Through common Kurdish hospitality.
13. Not necessarily except for new residential buildings that might impact the neighborhood's skyline.

According to the questionnaire conducted the average majority declared, life on a steep slope incapable of acquiring any sort of
exclusive community similar to any other neighborhood this house is integrated into its district and is greatly accessible by its
surroundings. The only issues faced by the owner's involved complications that are caused by aquatic damage and invalid drainage
circulation, both are to be solved with the installation of waterproof stone and clay constitutes and the addition of a crushed stone
foundation to the existing stone foundation. This is to allow the drainage of water through the buildings base structure while
assuring the incorporation of a proper drainage system that is capable of aiding in the extraction of water and climatic regulation
through-out all four seasons assuring the obliteration of water damage and the possibility of erosions, foundation failure and
landslides.

4.2. DepthmapX Constitutes:

Figure 11. The map and depthmapX analysis of the network

The aspects of this specific neighborhood were sought to determine the state and affairs of the region. Through examinations
done using the depthmapX application features such as entropy, connectivity, intensity, integration, node count and mean depth
being assessed. These aspects generate a simpler view of the neighborhood that determines the basis of accessibility and the
simplification of daily ordeals met by humans. The neighborhood attains a great degree of disorder (entropy) that is generated on
the adjacent secondary roads to the building due to the market availability in the region: the entropy is generally balanced, yet it is
high meaning that neighborhood is habitually complex and unpredictable. The region is mostly connected to its surroundings,
especially due to the minimum distance lying between the house and the main bazar, these connections acquire optimum intensity
through the accessibility of the region. The node count of the neighborhood assures the maximum integration of the house within
the major network assuring the shortest mean depth or pathway from the house to the external nodes of the main network.

5. DISCUSSION
5.1. Permeable Architecture in Kurdistan

The impermeability of the structures in Kurdistan generates congestion of both foot and vehicle traffic, this is due to the difficulty
met by people who are attempting to acquire transportation through walking and biking but being limited by the impermeable
structuring of the general neighborhood's in Duhok, leading to the use of vehicle transportation resulting into the expansion of
traffic congestion. Air pollution is also subject to the greatness of traffic congestion and the limitations held against permeability
trapping pollution and decreasing the quality of air. The impermeability of buildings increases the expenses and costs of materials
and construction held by architectonics leading to the lack of affordable housing. These complications are met due to multiple
altitudes concluding the education of the architects and implementations of policies regarding permeable architecture with financial
contributions. The developments of these specific aspects will generate great bases of sustainable evolution in Kurdistan's
geographical construction.

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 Geography’s Effect on Architecture

Moreover, multiple aspects could be taken into consideration by the government of Kurdistan to generate more permeable
architecture. The construction of policies that stress the buildings to be shaped into the characteristics of permeable architecture.
The implementation of alliances between Kurdistan and other international organizations to increase the means of education based
on permeability in construction to generate more influential and sustainable architects in the future. The decline of permeable
architecture is bound to change in the following years, this modification is capable of generating informal and formal changes. The
informality is to be sensed as the implication of permeable aspects and their implementation on the newly constructed buildings in
Duhok.

5.2. Limitations

This research has been conducted based on a partial region in a neighborhood and is in no way shape or form a symbolization of
all elevated structures on steep hills in Duhok, Kurdistan. The slope does not achieve a great level of steepness therefore other
neighborhoods that acquire steeper slopes might indulge in greater frameworks of complications. Attempting to inhabit a policy of
permeable teachings in the government to assure the sustainable constructions yet such attributes are difficult to achieve as a mere
student.

6. CONCLUSIONS
The longevity and permeability of architecture is based on the region's climatic conditions and habitats. Duhok specifically
necessitates the aid of characteristics that carry adaptable features capable of withstanding the ranging seasons met by their
mountainous terrain. Unlike other regions that have fragmented laws involving stressed inhabitation of permeability and
sustainability in construction, Duhok is yet to inhibit such features and is on the route to constructional enhancement that will
allow the affordable usage of local materials and techniques to establish and achieve permeable architecture that is capable of
lasting with longevity and adapting to multiple and numerous uses. The local houses in Duhok’s center are inhabited with stone
foundations, and this is due to the steep topography acting on the buildings structure. The local Kurdish materials and techniques
were bound to being the only features capable of withstanding the weight of the buildings and the regulation of temperatures
according to Duhok's local geography and materials, generating the basis of natural ventilation and insultation along with the
addition of crushed stone foundations as some of the greatest issues faced by the old structures that have been renovated
throughout time are met with water/moisture damage and issues regarding drainage. Temperature regulations are highly regarded
to against the geographic maintenance of Duhok. Unlike other middle eastern territories; Duhok is known for its rhythmic climate
modifications that are a resultant of their scenic and mountainous terrain.

7. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author thanks Dr. Ahmed Ali for providing their extensive and well appreciated mentoring throughout the procedure of
composing this paper. Their insightful feedback and constructive criticism aided in the construction of the paper's authentic
essence.

8. REFERENCES
1. ABEL, D. J., S. K. YAP, R. ACKLAND, M. A. CAMERON, D. F. SMITH, and G. WALKER. “Environmental Decision
Support System Project: An Exploration of Alternative Architectures for Geographical Information Systems.” International Journal
of Geographical Information Systems 6, no. 3 (May 1, 1992): 193–204. https://doi.org/10.1080/02693799208901905.

2. “Effect of Fiber Architecture on Permeability in Liquid Composite Molding - Shih - 1998 - Polymer Composites - Wiley Online
Library.” Accessed December 3, 2023. https://4spepublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pc.10136.

3. “Form & Structure of Urban Housing in Duhok City | Academic Journal of Nawroz University.” Accessed December 3, 2023.
https://journals.nawroz.edu.krd/index.php/ajnu/article/view/88.

4. “Geography and Architecture: 11, Rue Du Conservatoire and the Permeability of Buildings - Lloyd Jenkins, 2002.” Accessed
December 3, 2023. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1206331202005003003.

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5. “Geography: A Hidden Antidote to Rescue Modern Architecture | SpringerLink.” Accessed December 3, 2023.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-74590-5_14.

6. Guy, Simon, and Graham Farmer. “Reinterpreting Sustainable Architecture: The Place of Technology.” Journal of Architectural
Education 54, no. 3 (February 1, 2001): 140–48. https://doi.org/10.1162/10464880152632451.

7. Goss, Jon. “The Built Environment and Social Theory: Towards an Architectural Geography ∗.” The Professional Geographer 40,
no. 4 (November 1, 1988): 392–403. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0033-0124.1988.00392.x.

8. Hyde Richard. Climate responsive design : a study of buildings in moderate and hot humid climates. E & FN Spon, 2000.
https://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA48013821.

9. Kondo, K., M. Tsuchiya, and S. Sanada. “Evaluation of Effect of Micro-Topography on Design Wind Velocity.” Journal of Wind
Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, Fifth Asia-Pacific Conference on Wind Engineering, 90, no. 12 (December 1, 2002): 1707–
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9. ABOUT STUDENT AUTHORS

Lava Eminki, an architectural engineering student whom will graduate in 2028 has sought the beauty of facilitating structuring
through the perspectives of architectonics. She has gathered articulate knowledge through the indulgence of her initial studies
based on architecture; the composition of this paper has aided in her perception of environmentally responsive architecture and its
significance.

10. PRESS SUMMARY

Geography and architecture are two closely related and dependent constructs. Construction and design have evolved to generate
an environmentally responsive demeanor shaping the methods and techniques utilized to establish a region's framework of
architectonics. These demeanors have been established throughout the world yet the authentic mountainous and scenic terrain of
Duhok is yet to be assessed. Duhok, Kurdistan indulges in multiple architectural endeavors that articulate the presence of
topographical enhancements, certain neighborhoods that bear the history and beauty of familial genealogies are situated on steep
sloped terrains. These specific terrains exhibit the adaptability of architectural materials and techniques implemented to withstand
the climatic impacts held by the steepness of these inclines through the usage of specific core frameworks and materials. This
research paper examines the intricate relationship between geography and architecture, focusing on the impact of environmental
adaptation on the creation of functional and sustainable living spaces. Utilizing case studies on permeable and sustainable
architectural teachings based in Paris and New Mexico in comparison to a specific examination of Duhok, Kurdistan’s local
housing emphasizing the challenges met by the presence of impermeable transfiguration on steep topographies including aquatic
damage and drainage issues. Fieldwork on a local house underscores the importance of local materials like stone and clay,
advocating for a combination of stone and crushed stone foundations for stability and permeability. Findings from the site analysis,
observational fieldwork and questionnaire’s reveal insights into the structural integrity, maintenance issues, and lifestyle impacts of
the specific house situated in Khabat St. The study is concluded by highlighting the necessity of permeable practices in
governmental policies to assure sustainable construction in regions with diverse geographical conditions alongside the
establishment of longevity against time.

12