چکیده:
Despite the utilization of several earthquake resistant traditional techniques in Iranian architecture throughout the centuries,
the high seismic vulnerability of Iranian vernacular constructions is obvious. One of the latest innovations in building
earthquake-proof emergency dwellings, prior to introducing the modern seismic design codes, took place during the successive
destructive earthquakes of 1871, 1893 and 1895 in Quchan, located in northeast of Iran. These new shelters withstood shocks
successfully during the 1893 and 1895 quakes and were in use for at least the next 30 years. Therefore, this local effort of building
earthquake-proof constructions will be introduced in this paper not only as an intangible heritage of the regional knowledge, but
also as a successful experience in building earthquake resistant installations. In this article, the process of innovation of these
new shelters, their specific earthquake resistant features which did not have any peers in shape in the history of the construction
in the region, their evolution and finally extinction is described. Furthermore, the paper comprehensively focuses on describing
the capability of these shelters in comparison with similar geometrical forms of construction to indicate how local people chose
the best shape alternative based on the following three factors: seismic resistance, ease of built and the amount of spatial
similarity with previous local buildings.