A series of separate gardens and terraces make this design a meditative getaway in this northern Iranian valley. The plot itself is wide at the meeting of the street, and bottlenecks as it moves away. In this way, the longer street-side wall adequately protects the privacy of the perpendicularly linear plot. Likewise, the levels of the villa and gardens themselves can be vertically focused as the land stretches further from the street on its north-south axis. The overall aim was to fully integrate all the elements of a traditional Persian house from iwan to various forms of gardens, such as baghcheh and sunken garden.

The design faced several challenges that shaped its final outcome. The elongated and narrowing plot required careful spatial organization to balance program and circulation. The dual slope of the land posed construction difficulties but was transformed into a design opportunity. Providing adequate natural light and ventilation was another challenge, addressed through orientation and openings. Finally, separating public and private spaces across different levels was essential to maintain comfort and privacy for the family.

On one side of the site, an entrance allowing cars to pass through a tunnel to the basement level garage was created. Red brick insulated walls suit the clay-infused earth of Tehran. The building itself is set back from the street-side wall, separated from it by the series of gardens and large hoz (garden pond) leading to the iwan (Persian-style patio) stretched out from the ground floor. The more private rooms are located on the upper floor, leaving the public spaces below to spill open to the garden. Cross ventilation through the structure and the surrounding yard was considered and designed as a passive cooling system.

Overlooking the gardens and orchard to the front, a terrace baharkhab was included on the upper floor (an area designated for sleeping outdoors during warmer months). The gardens become the life of the villa, which sits centrally toward the back end of the property. Along one wall, space for a hanging garden was designed and along the opposite wall, a scented garden leads back to a traditional Persian “sunken garden” behind the house.

The project integrates several innovative architectural and environmental strategies. A combined passive ventilation system was developed, orienting the building along a north–south axis with large openings to the north and south while minimizing east–west exposure. The pool was strategically positioned to cool and humidify incoming breezes, enhancing thermal comfort. The two-story iwan blocks excessive summer sun yet allows winter sunlight to penetrate, while also improving airflow. The second-floor setback further strengthens shading and ventilation. Locally sourced traditional brickwork was reimagined with modern insulation methods, combining cultural heritage with energy-efficient technology.

The design introduces a green roof, a tunnel entrance for cars, and a pool that also improves passive cooling. Traditional elements like the iwan and sunken garden were reinterpreted for daylight and ventilation, while insulated walls and thermal-break windows enhance energy efficiency.

Respect for nature and people was at the core of the project. By adapting to the natural topography, the design minimized unnecessary earthwork and preserved the site’s integrity. The architecture integrates gardens, pools, a sunken courtyard, and a green roof, reinforcing the bond between built space and landscape. Sustainable materials such as recyclable brick and energy-efficient glazing reduce environmental impact. At the same time, the project revives elements of Iranian architectural identity, from mirrorwork and tilework to spatial hierarchy, strengthening cultural continuity while serving the needs of modern living.

The design carefully considers multiple scales, from the site to human experience. The elongated 1,590 m² plot with a dual slope influenced the building’s layout, minimizing excavation and integrating terraced gardens. The 1,395 m², three-story building balances public spaces on the ground floor with private areas above, while setbacks create circulation around the house. Human-scale elements, including terraces, the baharkhab, sunken courtyard, and gardens, enhance outdoor living and comfort. Architectural features like the double-height iwan, pool, and green roof serve both functional and environmental purposes, supporting daylight, ventilation, and leisure.