Saman Mansion is located just one block from Enghelab Street, one of the most significant streets in Tehran and Iran. Over the decades, Enghelab has served as a stage for countless artistic, cultural, and social movements, shaping the city’s identity. Built during the same period as the street itself, Saman Mansion shares in this historical context. Its proximity to Enghelab has woven the mansion into the street’s vibrant flow of life, making it more than a building—an inseparable part of Tehran’s living history.

Saman Mansion is a historical building with a legacy of nearly 100 years, located in an affluent district of old Tehran. Based on field surveys, archival research, and analysis of aerial photographs from 1940 (1319 SH) and 1956 (1335 SH), it is likely that the building was constructed between 1921 and 1961 (1300–1340 SH). This period is recognized as the "Middle Period of Contemporary Iranian Architecture," reflecting the influence of modernity on Iranian architectural practice.

Originally built as a private residence, the mansion was later repurposed. In the 1960s and 1970s (1340s and 1350s SH), it served as the office for KSB Company, a firm active in the field of large-scale water treatment infrastructure and the import of German industrial equipment. Subsequently, the building came under the ownership of Saman Bank.

Architectural features such as its three-story structure with a semi-basement level, high ceilings, reinforced concrete construction, and the distinctive circular room on the middle floor have drawn the attention of architects and researchers alike. Preliminary studies suggest that the building was likely designed by foreign architects—possibly German or Italian—and its structure shows influences from ship forms and decks.

The mansion’s courtyard once included a lush garden and a water basin, which have since been replaced by asphalt paving and a temporary roof structure.

Saman Mansion stands as a symbol of the interaction between Iranian architecture and foreign influences in the contemporary era, highlighting its unique status in the architectural and social history of Tehran.

Following an evaluation of the building’s potential, the architectural design of Saman Mansion was developed with the aim of introducing cultural and research-oriented functions. The design process included preparing the project’s physical program, analyzing required functions, exploring vertical circulation options, and organizing spatial arrangements.

Spatial Layout: Second Basement Level: Dedicated to a studio and sound recording room.

First Basement Level: Includes public spaces such as a multi-purpose hall and an art shop, both with direct access to the courtyard.

Ground Floor and First Floor: Allocated for public and private exhibition spaces.

Art Storage Vault: Located beneath the courtyard with appropriate security and access control measures.

Added Second Floor: Contains administrative offices for managers and staff.

Complementary Facilities: Courtyard and Café: A green garden stretching from south to north, with the restoration of the original water basin and an open-air café offering a calm and inviting atmosphere.

Security Room, Caretaker's Unit, Public Restrooms, and Storage: Designed to ensure comprehensive support services for the complex.

Key Spatial Features: Northern Corridor: Enriched with a green wall and climbing plants, creating a refreshing and immersive experience.

Conversation Room: A circular room at the heart of the building, designed as a reflective and contemplative space, lit through distinctive openings.

Galleries: Preserving the historic character of the mansion while providing optimal lighting, acoustics, cooling, and heating for art exhibitions.

Art Shop: Located in the former kitchen, featuring a vaulted brick ceiling and a tranquil interior design.

Multi-purpose Hall: Equipped with foldable seating, acoustic panels, and curtains for sound and light control.

Design Objective: To create a distinctive environment that preserves the historical authenticity of the building while meeting the cultural, research, and social needs of its visitors and users.

The renovation and strengthening of Saman Mansion utilizes a modern and innovative method that significantly departs from traditional structural reinforcement techniques. Key features include:

Instead of conventional concrete ties and steel frames, carbon fiber (FRCM) and alkali-resistant fiberglass mesh (ARFM) are used in the form of surface-mounted strips on structural walls.

This method minimizes physical intervention and damage to the original historic fabric, maintaining architectural integrity.

Structural elements are integrated seamlessly with architectural components, ensuring spatial harmony while enhancing seismic performance.

As a lightweight, flexible, and non-invasive approach, this method represents a new engineering strategy for retrofitting historic buildings, balancing preservation with performance.

The technical upgrade of Saman Mansion includes several modern systems and devices, installed to enhance both function and compatibility with the historic building. These include:

Carbon fiber and fiberglass mesh for seismic strengthening.

A VRF system for cooling and heating in the basement levels, and ducted split units in the upper floors, selected for their low visual and acoustic impact.

A rooftop AirWasher unit supplying fresh air through ducts aligned along the western façade.

SuperVent one-way valves for the venting system, reducing the need for visible vent pipes and minimizing wall damage.

Upgraded electrical panels and lighting systems, suitable for cultural functions.

New plumbing and cabling, with vertical risers designed to preserve the structure and ensure maintenance access.

These systems allow the building to meet contemporary technical standards while preserving its architectural character and historic integrity.

The adaptive reuse of Saman Mansion as a cultural and research center reflects a strong social responsibility toward heritage preservation and civic engagement. The project contributes to society by:

Conserving and revitalizing a significant architectural example from the transitional period of Iranian architecture.

Providing inclusive, public access to spaces for exhibitions, cultural events, research, and gatherings.

Supporting urban regeneration in a historic neighborhood through preservation rather than demolition.

Raising public awareness about the value of architectural heritage and promoting long-term stewardship of historical assets.

The design and interventions in the Saman Mansion project are carefully scaled in response to both human experience and urban context:

The site is located just beyond the historical city wall near Dowlat Gate, within a culturally significant part of north Tehran.

The functional scale of interior spaces is adapted to serve a balanced combination of exhibition, public, and administrative uses without overwhelming the original form.

The limited vertical extension (second-floor addition) and reprogramming of the basement levels maintain a respectful dialogue between historical architecture and new use.

The courtyard redesign considers social and interactive dimensions, transforming it into a public landscape for cultural exchange, relaxation, and community interaction.