The client used Simple and brick-like words to describe their vision for their home to us. Words that reminded us of the past architecture of this land and placed the Kashan desert nature as our primary source of inspiration.
And the image of the Populus Nigra tree swaying in the wind of Kashan's plain.
The first frame that inspired our central concept was the image of the gentle breeze amidst the Populus Nigra tree branches, set against the backdrop of the solid and steadfast mountains and deserts of Kashan. Afterward, the idea of four dancing columns emerged, ultimately poeticized by bricks delicately sliding over each other, evoking the memory of flowing garments in Iranian miniatures firmly embedded in our minds.
In a simple plan derived from the architecture of Kashan's climate, the central courtyard was another critical idea that brought together various house spaces. This patio also acted as a separator between public, semi-public, and private layers, shaping the different functions of the house around a central axis of light and nature.
This single-story house was designed and constructed for a four-person family, along with a suite on the lower level.
Initially, the client approached us with a designed plan and elevation, explaining that the building structure and significant portions of the walls had been constructed. They asked us to review and provide suggestions regarding the facade and plan if we had any. Padra office presented a completely different design for the facade, which, although accompanied by some demolitions, was favored by the client.
The structural changes in the plan, all of which were included in the plan modifications, are as follows:
1. Transferring the courtyard from the northern side to the central space and splitting its roof into a patio (the idea of a central courtyard).
2. Transforming the patio into an independent identity with natural light and lively plants and creating a space where semi-public and private layers revolve around a central axis of light and nature.
3. Rearranging some spaces to maximize natural light utilization.
4. Redefining the dining area and relocating the living and reception areas to align with the residents' lifestyles.
5. Changing the dimensions of the bedrooms and the master bedroom and ensuring suitable closet space.
For the execution of each column, ten horizontal sections were prepared at different levels, and the sections were cut on the iron sheet using CNC according to the design. Then, the surfaces were covered with rebar and mesh, surrounded by brickwork.
The final facade covering is handmade, hand-chiseled brick (Wakoub brick). The choice of materials and brickwork style was influenced by the architecture and historical background of Kashan, contrasting with the modern form of the project (the same contrast inspired by the natural environment of Kashan in the concept).
Some parts of this brickwork, such as the edges of the garden, the garden seat, and the courtyard door, were modernized and softened, taking inspiration from the art of brick carving in traditional Iranian architecture.
