NIPCO Factory

NIPCO Factory is an industrial building in the industrial town of Eshtehard, designed by young architects Arash Mozaffari and Mehrdad Golmohammadi. The project features a double-layered building envelope that creates a play of shadow and light, with gaps in the forms and structure defining light openings without conventional windows.

The project tied for 3rd place (score 21/35) at the 1st Memar Award in 2001. The jury unanimously cited its "timely and appropriate architectural expression suited to its era," its engagement with an industrial complex "to soften the harsh nature of the factory," its unconventional approach "against market trends with low cost," and its "good detailing."

Iraj Kalantari called it "a timely work that speaks the language of its era," praising its "good formal values" and "beautiful movements" in the facade composition. Kamran Afshar Naderi noted the envelope work was achieved "at not a very high cost" for an industrial project: "The play of shadow and light is a thoroughly recognized subject in our culture. The volumes are very well sculpted." He added: "Behind this work, I sense a great effort that must be acknowledged." Mohammadreza Joudat praised the young designers' "considerable ability to negotiate with the client, giving the work a pleasant spirit very different from the harsh character typical of factories."