Jury Commentary

Kamran Afshar Naderi: Although architectural attention is visible in the design of space and grounds, the prominent and distinctive aspect of the project is its facade. The building is located in a very poor neighborhood and was built with a very low budget. In this regard, the facade can carry an important social message: that even in these neighborhoods, with a low budget, architectural effort is possible. In Iran, labor costs are relatively low and the possibility of creating special designs on a small scale is greater than in developed countries. Despite this, many architects try to create works that appear industrial through employing craftsmen. In this project, local labor and craftsmanship have valorized handmade brickwork. The designer has made considerable effort in the execution phase and converted a special brick technique into a definite construction process that is completely innovative and has facilitated the facade execution method. Brick in this project is a traditional material used in an innovative edition. Light breaking on the facade and filtering before windows is suited to Iran's climate. The design, while simple, also has a kind of complexity. A connection between parts and whole has been established: in the entrance, courtyard, facade, and facade elements.