Teheran, Iran

Designing in Teheran (project A)

International architecture contest: “Designing in Teheran” – Building A. Illustrative report on the planning choices and logic. In the globalization era, architecture identifies itself in the artistic, fashion and communication fields and allows itself to become show, mass communication tool and direct expression of the evolution of taste, choosing to write out the rapidity of the flows that characterizes today’s society. As essential component of the modern city, the main theme followed in the composition of the architectural object is the pursue of movement, which is carried out in both plan and elevation. From a plan perspective, the basic concept is based on the repetition of a 30mx10m rectangle, variably moved with the objective of creating tension with the movement and different elevations, external as well as internal. From an elevation point of view, in the composition and dimension of the windows and in the variation of their overhangs which create a dynamic play on contrasts between lights and shadows, in addition to the utilization of materials. Observing the lateral elevation or the cross-section of the building, it is possible to note that another important goal was to make the side of the building remind of a water-fall, which is also the Persian meaning of Teheran, of “going downwards”. The building consists of three parts, each characterized and recognisible thanks to the use of a different material: a 2-floor basement in glass and internal brise-soleil, each 4.50m high including the false cealing, which includes the commercial premises; a 5-store intermediate section, each 3.60m high inclusing the false ceiling, which includes the management offices. This part is characterized by two different types of elevations: the first facing the outside, made of a ventilated facade in eco-friendly homogenous panels, 30% of which made of thermohardening resins reinforced by cellulose fibres (70%); the second facing the inside, characterized by glass walls which also form the extension of the basement; lastly, a top 1-floor residential section, 3.10m high, which represents the union of the material utilized in the two sections below and which is characterized by photovoltaic panels integrated in the covering attic. The analysis of the elevations, wishing to differentiate the external from the internal ones through windows towards the outside and glass walls towards the inside, implies an introspection on the outside which allows to project oneself towards the only work place. In the interior, thanks to the glass walls, the derived spaces are both airy and lively, full light and easy to control from any stand point. Furthermore, a plant divided in such way allows for the maximum flexibility in the interiors organization, in the offices disposition, in the work-places distrubuiton. Each floor can be different form the others and the offices can be designed according to different surface needs or grades. Within each office, glass panels divide actual work-places from other areas, and allow, whenever possible, from natural light and total control. The meeting rooms are defined by opaque panels with sliding doors with the panel itself.

Europaconcorsi Beta

Designing in Teheran (project A)