The Boukan neighbourhood is located in northern Tehran, characterised by steep terrain and dense tall trees. Many old houses with green courtyards line the alleys of this neighbourhood, and with even a slight elevation, open green views appear from their windows. The Collage Apartment is set within this context.
The building sits in four storeys atop a large stone base, with a sizeable courtyard containing several trees and a garden bed separating the alley from the building. The family residing in the third-floor unit had carried out a renovation but, dissatisfied with the result, decided near completion to redesign the space.
The building has a stepped form, and each floor has a large courtyard or balcony. This particular unit was the only one in the building without a green courtyard or balcony, owing to its smaller area relative to the other units. While all other units enjoy a strong connection to the views and exterior open space, the renovated apartment's openings were limited to a few south-facing windows.
The central idea of the design was to establish a strong line of communication between interior and exterior so as to make the most of the existing fabric's potential. To achieve this, new spaces were added like collages onto the simple ground of the living space -- green threads connecting inside and outside. They are tasked with admitting natural light, framing views of the outdoors, housing plants, and dividing the space.
A wooden tunnel running from the entrance axis divides the unit's plan in two. The southern half -- facing the courtyard -- is dedicated to public spaces: living room, reception area, and a large kitchen for hosting cooking classes. The northern half is the private zone, containing bedrooms, bathrooms, and service areas. Within this wooden tunnel, hidden cupboards, a laundry nook, and decorative shelves have been carefully designed.
Prior to the renovation, a single window opened from the reception area to the building's courtyard. In the new design, a rectangular terrace was built in front of it. Residents can spend a slice of domestic life in this space, facing nature. Moreover, by removing this barrier, views of the outdoors and daylight become available to the living room and kitchen.
The lightwell on the apartment's northern side has been replaced by a small courtyard. Plants have made this space green, and two adjacent rooms receive their light from it.