Nazar Mansion

Emarat-e Nazar (Nazar Mansion) is a four-story residential apartment in Isfahan adjacent to the Zayandeh-Rud River, enjoying a favorable view. Across four floors, three residential units have been designed, each gaining distinct character based on its relationship with the ground and the sky. The first unit connects to the earth beside a sunken garden and secluded courtyard. The uppermost unit links to the sky with a green roof and views of the heavens. The middle unit finds its character through a dedicated central courtyard. Despite the river view, considerable noise pollution exists throughout the day. In response, courtyards within the building offer the possibility of experiencing daylight and open air without noise. The rear courtyard benefits from views of the neighbor's tall pine trees, while the central courtyard provides a lively connection between family living room, bedroom, and kitchen. Diverse viewing qualities from different spaces and floors toward the surrounding landscapes ensure each unit maintains a unique relationship with its environment. Spatial fluidity is achieved through boundary and connecting spaces instead of separating walls. Despite housing three units, all parts maintain quality-enhancing connections so that collectively it can be called a single emarat (mansion). Nazar Mansion is an effort to recreate the qualities of living in traditional Iranian houses within a contemporary apartment format. It won Third Place in the Apartment Buildings category at the 20th Memar Award (2020).