Columnless Canopy

In a corner of an immaculately landscaped garden in front of a 63-unit apartment block, the project challenges the definition of "border", with notions of inside/outside, open/closed, light/heavy, and transparent/opaque changing according to the observer’s position. Set on a brick base, its rusted iron elements - leftovers from 6mm iron sheets used as framing in the surrounding landscaping project two years before - are mounted horizontally with an organically designed network of carrier points made of metal pipe, to maintain visibility to the garden but allow privacy from overlooking apartments. A firebox is set into the floor. The multipurpose canopy not only offers a cosy corner for general socialising or relaxation, but notably helps the community celebrate the tradition of Chaharshanbe Suri, a festival held on the last Wednesday before Iranian New Year, which is launched by a ritual that involves jumping over a brushwood fire while singing a song of purification.Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture