Winners of Memar Awards (2000-2008), Recent Works

Memar Award celebrates its ninth birthday this year. The continuation of this program, or in fact the continuation of Memar Magazine, which is now 12 years old, and the constant increase in its circulation is witness to the acceptance of this private magazine and private award by the professional community. The private nature of the award was emphasized in the first invitation to the competition in 2001 when the entry requirements were defined:

All non-public works (works not funded by public finance) demonstrating innovation in design, construction and desirable execution in any part of the country, which have been completed and utilized within the last 6 years can be entered into the competition.

The main difference of the Great Memar Award with other awards and competitions before it, is that firstly it appeared in the late 70s which is one of the most active and vibrant periods of architecture in post-revolution Iran, secondly by excluding governmental works and dedicating the award to non-governmental projects, a larger number of architects, particularly the younger generation, found opportunity to take part in the competition, and thirdly the sponsoring of this award by a private organization presented for the very first time a clear example of cooperation and full coordination amongst private organizations, overall entirely by the profession.

It may be for this reason that in time the status of this award and the range of people who take part in it have gradually evolved. The controversial result of the 2001 Memar Award, which was awarded to Firouz Firouz and Seyed Hadi Mirmiran, an influential and renowned architect, or as noted in a memo in the 40th issue of Memar Magazine: The selecting of a talented architect but with few works, along with the works of younger groups within the same year, led to the belief that in the process of selecting winners, the principles of competition, the practice of democratic selection and methods of professional judgment would be adhered to.

Firouz Firouz and Associates, 1st Place, 2001 Award

Mehrkadeh Residential Complex, 2007

Client: Batak Virasetan. Design associate and 3D: Noushin Afsesh. Type number: 13. Area: 50,000 square meters. Location: Tehran.

The Mehrkadeh residential complex is a hillside housing development by Firouz Firouz and Associates. The project features terraced housing units arranged along the natural slope, with each unit having views of the surrounding landscape. The design integrates stone facades with modern construction techniques, creating a contemporary interpretation of hillside living. The complex includes 13 unit types spread across a 50,000 square meter site, with careful attention to privacy and shared outdoor spaces.

Polsheer Consulting Engineers, 1st and 3rd Place, 2002 Award

Incubator, Sci-Tech Park, Isfahan

Client: Isfahan Sci-Tech Park. Director of design team: Mohammadreza Ghaneie. Design team: Mohammadreza Ghaneie, Ali Sheshboluki. Design associate: Ali Mircani, Robert Kashanian, Yazid Makronan. Technical team manager: Fereydoun Boroujeni. Start date: 2004. Completion date: 2007. Contractor: Karhin Co. Supervision: Taj Farzin consulting group. Area: 6,700 square meters. Photo: Ashkan Ghaneie.

The Incubator building at Isfahan Sci-Tech Park is one of the most striking examples of contemporary Iranian architecture. The building features a dramatic curved roof structure composed of repeating barrel vault sections that echo the traditional architecture of Isfahan while using entirely modern materials and construction methods. The metallic roof ribs create a rhythmic pattern that catches light differently throughout the day, and the building is set against the dramatic backdrop of the mountains outside Isfahan.

Ramin Mehdizadeh, 1st and 2nd Place, 2004 and 2006 Awards

House No. 1, Mahallat

Client and Construction: Mahdi Mehdizadeh. Structure: Reza Mohajerzade. Total built area: 450 square meters. Lot area: 320 square meters. Photo: Ramin Mehdizadeh.

House No. 1 in Mahallat is one of Ramin Mehdizadeh's most acclaimed residential designs. The house features a carefully crafted stone facade that creates a powerful dialogue between solid and void. The use of local layered stone gives the building a strong connection to its Central Iranian context, while the modern proportions and window compositions mark it as distinctly contemporary. The interior features split levels connected by exposed staircases, with stone walls continuing inside to create a seamless transition between exterior and interior.

Pars Nika Co. Office Renovation

Client: Pars Nika Co. Design associate: Leila Mohaghegh. Construction: Ramin Mehdizadeh. Construction period: 35 days. Total area: 120 square meters. Carpenter: Zade Rafiee. Photo: Ramin Mehdizadeh.

The Pars Nika office renovation demonstrates Mehdizadeh's ability to transform small commercial spaces. Completed in just 35 days, the 120-square-meter office features a warm palette of wood paneling, stone accent walls, and carefully considered lighting. The reception area showcases custom-designed desk furniture with variations in L-shaped configurations, while the conference room features full-height wood paneling and contemporary lighting design.