Isfahan House

Isfahan, Iran

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Isfahan House

Isfahan, Iran

Firm

PIRO Architecture

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Concept

SIZE

1000 sqft - 3000 sqft

BUDGET

$10K - 50K

"There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

In this project, we embrace the rich tapestry of history while soaring into the future. Our architectural idea is centered around the profound interplay of place, and our journey begins at the heart of a historic neighborhood that carries echoes of Middle Eastern Islamic cities. This locale, with its blind façades, compact layouts, narrow alleys, hierarchical arrangements, and central courtyards, provides us with a historical canvas from which to draw inspiration.

Simultaneously, our site faces one of the greatest architectural marvels ever constructed, Sheikh Lotfollah. Its magnificent dome graces the neighborhood, casting a captivating shadow over our building, especially when viewed from the first floor.

These two aspects seamlessly intertwine to shape our project. The exterior envelops us, with no openings, echoing the architectural rhythm of the adjacent structures. Yet, its playful and geometric form offers a tantalizing glimpse of the inner spaces. These walls are honest about what they contain, yet they masterfully conceal it. One can interpret them as containers that hold liquid spaces, where the fluidity transcends mere symbolism, allowing one space to flow seamlessly into another.

At the heart of this architectural plan, a courtyard takes its form and placement cues from historical references, appearing almost borderless, making it impossible to distinguish between the pool and the courtyard itself. On the ground level, one volume houses the access to the upper floor, while the other serves as a dining area and a kitchen, offering a fluid connection between spaces.

The staircase leading to the upper floor presents a unique perspective. Its direction leads towards the sky, offering a direct view of the iconic dome, Sheikh Lotfollah, creating a bridge between the past and present. On the contrary, the stairs descending to the basement transform the journey into a dive, where the basement is illuminated by the void on the upper floor, reminiscent of the unique luminance found in Sheikh Lotfollah.

The upper level is adorned with a bedroom where a conical skylight concludes the composition, celebrating the interplay of light and space.

As we embark on this architectural journey, we draw inspiration not only from aesthetics but also from the profound concepts that architecture embodies. Much like a forest with countless trees, the individual elements come together to form a distinct whole, and in the context of a society, individuals, in pursuing collective interests, often lose their individuality. This project explores the intricate dance between history, innovation, and the essence of human individuality.

“I am not sure how much of this comes from aesthetics, and how much from concept. But of course, a single tree is more of a tree than a number of them. You've heard the story of the child who asked his father to show him the forest. The father obliged. When they got there, the father asked the child if he could see the forest. Surprised, the child said, 'Yes, but there are so many trees that I can hardly see the forest.' When you have a lot of trees lined up next to each other, you don't see trees anymore. You see something else that carries a different concept. I think you can similarly argue that when people are together, they lose their individual values and turn into a mass, bound together by their collective interests. As soon as they focus on their collective interests, they lose their meaning as human beings. Of course, it would be wonderful as a social movement, but it wouldn't have any individuality. People may think something different inside, but they give in to their collective interests, which in turn destroy their individuality.” — Abbas Kiarostami