Contemporary Architecture

Once Again Home, Isfahan

Elham Geramizadeh Naeini, Ehsan Hosseini·Photos: Ali Gorjian, Deed Studio·Memar 142 — 23rd Memar Award

Buildings that for centuries have accommodated various forms of life through countless transformations have found no model for their evolution in the modern world. Within this context, we endeavored to arrive at a model that would, on the one hand, propose a modern, contemporary house through the evolution of a central-courtyard dwelling, and on the other, establish a reconciliation between old buildings and the new urban fabric.

The new section meets the old structure in a state of utmost transparency, raising and lowering the courtyard level, creating a fluid cross-section, and ultimately defining the entire house as a screen before the memory of the old courtyard and the church across the alley.

In essence, the project comprises two parts: first, preservation, structural reinforcement, and restoration of the existing old section; second, the addition of a modern, lightweight structure to the existing condition.

Diagram showing 500 years of evolution of the house plan across four periods: Safavid, Qajar, Pahlavi, and 1401 SH (2022) — 500 years of evolution — the house plan through the Safavid, Qajar, Pahlavi, and contemporary periods

Timeline showing the transformation of Isfahan's urban fabric over the past century, with aerial photographs from 1330, 1360, and 1400 SH — The transformation of Isfahan's urban fabric over the past century — aerial views from c. 1951, 1981, and 2021

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Before and After

Negative photograph showing the historic courtyard with brick arches and deteriorated walls before renovation — The courtyard before — arches and crumbling walls

Negative photograph of the courtyard showing a tree and arched openings before renovation — The existing courtyard and its mature tree

Negative photograph showing the old courtyard with deteriorating walls and the church dome visible in the background — The old courtyard and the church across the alley — the memory this project seeks to preserve

Architectural section A-A showing the house before and after renovation, with the new glass volume and lowered courtyard — Section A-A — before and after

Architectural section B-B showing the house in relation to the church, before and after renovation — Section B-B — before and after, with the church

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The New and the Old

Ultimately, the union of these two sections gives shape to the house — a house with an open plan that is flexible and legible for the contemporary life of a young couple. A house for children, guests, exercise, swimming, reading, and rest — a house that is secluded yet transparent, set within the dense and clamorous fabric of the city of Isfahan.

Twilight view from above showing the illuminated glass pavilion of Once Again Home with the brick dome of the neighboring church in the foreground — The glass pavilion and the church dome — old and new coexisting at twilight

Close-up view of the glass facade showing a woman ascending the floating staircase, with the old courtyard reflected in the glazing — The transparent staircase — movement between levels visible through the glass facade

Interior view showing sunlight streaming through the glass wall onto the restored clay-plastered arches and stone floor — Sunlight filters through the glass wall onto the restored arches — the new illuminating the old

Daytime view of the courtyard with the full-height glass wall, restored arch, and reflecting pool below — The courtyard by day — glass wall, restored arch, and pool

Detail of the glass wall meeting the restored clay-plastered wall with its arched niche, showing the junction between new and old materials — New transparency meets old solidity

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Drawings

Axonometric drawing of Once Again Home in its urban context, showing the house, courtyard, church compound, and surrounding neighborhood — Axonometric view — the house within its neighborhood, the church compound across the alley

Aerial top-down view of the completed house showing the new rooftop, glass courtyard opening, and the historic vaulted roofs — Aerial view — the glass courtyard opening, new rooftop, and historic vaulted structures

Sectional axonometric drawing showing the house cut open within its urban context, revealing interior spaces across multiple levels — Sectional axonometric — the house revealed within its dense neighborhood

Three plan diagrams showing the design strategy: existing courtyard house beside new neighbor volume, central courtyard geometry, and final adaptation — Design strategy — from existing courtyard to new courtyard geometry to final form

23rd Memar Award Restoration Isfahan Memar Award Adaptive Reuse Memar 142 Iran Winner

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