Site Description

A 10-floor residential building is located at a crossroad in the heart of the old parklands of Northern Tehran (Shemiran), within walking distance of the Tajrish, bazaar. This area was used in the past as Yeylagh, an ancient transhumance yearly practice moving into cooler and higher areas during the hot summer months. The area was known for its sprawling princely gardens at the foothills of the towering Alborz Mountains. Today, with the growth and expansion of the city, towers have arisen and the neighborhood has transformed into one of Tehran most sought-after residential address.

Problematic History

The building is designed for luxurious family and hospitality living while remaining faithful to the age-old concept of Persian architecture, namely the private/inner chambers called “Andarouni” and the public/outer halls of the “Birouni.” The building consists of one 650m2 5bedrooms Penthouse unit, a three 3/4-bedroom Duplexes units, each 430m2 and six 410m2 with 3/4-bedroom mono-level apartments unrivalled elegance. Each apartment unit is allocation of 3 indoor parking spaces. All the apartments enjoy a large living room, dining room and TV room with an abundance of natural light flow throughout the apartments.

Inspiration

Our design is driven by the belief that the quality of the surroundings directly impacts the quality of life. We believe that design should permeate all aspects of the building from the exterior, the lobby the common areas and within all apartments.

Inspired by Iran's rich and ancient culture, it incorporates color and material to achieve the elegance associated with the combination of tradition and modernity. Luxury is achieved by providing esoteric beauty, the finest of qualities and most importantly, tranquility and ease of living in an urban setting. This building is a Firouz Firouz signatory design residence building, where both the spirit of harmony the feeling of peace coexists as a modern relic of Elayieh’s charming gardens history.

New Concept, System and Method

The Kouhyar façade mirrors the rich color pallet of Persian rugs by mixing the bleus, reds, yellow and greens transforming the building into a joyful and inviting residence. The exterior façade is punctuated and set back to allow a floral ribbon of greenery in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. A large private Eyvan (Iwan/Terrace) graces all units, bestowing upon them the sensory experience of Tehran’s well-defined four seasons.

Continuing the garden traditions of the neighbourhood, the Kuhyar building shares its green space with the city landscape, thereby showing a generosity of spirit, by creating a magnificent drive-in “carriage” courtyard entrance, allowing the sound of a water cascade, the aroma of flowers and two Cypresses to greet you into a warm and panoramic lobby.

Firouz Firouz’s well-known style and reputation for fine craftsmanship and finishing bestows a sense of well-being and comfort to the interior spaces, again combining colors and textures.

At the entrance level the residence features a unique pool spa area (encompassing a swimming pool, a massage room and saunas) flanked by a lush and naturally colorful private garden so rarely seen in Tehran, as well as a spacious fitness center again with its own private garden.

The landscape strategy in Kuhyar Residence offers a reinterpretation of traditional Persian garden principles within the context of a vertical, urban apartment building. Rather than limiting greenery to the ground or rooftop, the design introduces a continuous "green ribbon" that flows from the entrance courtyard, climbs the recessed terraces, and culminates in a rooftop garden.

This vertical continuity, together with a drive-in garden courtyard at street level, establishes a generous threshold between the city and the private realm. The landscape becomes an experience—of light, scent, and season—through private terraces, iwan-like balconies, and exclusive green views in the pool and fitness areas.

The result is a rare integration of nature in Tehran’s dense urban fabric, not just as decoration, but as a system of living landscape tied to spatial identity, environmental quality, and sensory well-being.

New Elements, Objects, Tools

At Kuhyar Residence, materials are curated to evoke cultural memory, tactility, and timeless elegance. In the pool area, bespoke hand-painted glazed tiles by a renowned Iranian artist depict iconic Iranian landscapes—from Mount Damavand to Tehran’s historic symbols—transforming the space into a visual and sensory experience.

The façade features metal louvers, not wood, adding a contemporary character while regulating light and privacy. Shades of deep blue, basalt stone flooring in the parking, bronze detailing in elevators, and a refined mix of granite and wood in the lobby elevate the material quality throughout the building.

A highlight of the interior is the 100 m² lobby, inspired by traditional Iranian craftsmanship. It incorporates mirror mosaic (ayeneh-kari) and delicate plasterwork (gach-kari) in combination with colored glass motifs from Shiraz. These elements create a warm, welcoming atmosphere with a sense of visual richness and cultural continuity.

Culture Improvement

At Kuhyar Residence, the architectural design goes beyond aesthetics and function—it embodies a responsibility toward enhancing the quality of life. Rooted in the belief that the built environment deeply influences human well-being, the project emphasizes comfort, natural light, green integration, and emotional connection to space.

The design reinterprets traditional Iranian living patterns in a contemporary form, offering spaces that support family cohesion, privacy, tranquility, and cultural continuity. Every detail—from natural ventilation and views to serene lobbies and wellness amenities—is crafted to improve daily life.

In a fast-changing and high-density urban context like Tehran, Kuhyar serves as a model for how architecture can offer both physical and emotional refuge, reconnecting residents with nature, beauty, and a sense of belonging.

Scale to Consider

The design of the Kuhyar Residence considers multiple scales—from the intimate scale of family life to the larger urban context of modern and densely built Elahiyeh. Set within a contemporary high-density neighborhood, the project consciously redefines the relationship between residents and their environment through a focus on spatial quality, greenery, and light. Features like green terraces, iwans, and generous natural lighting provide a layered experience that enhances everyday living across all scales.