Qom Alqadir II Residential Complex

Qom Alqadir II Residential Complex Architect: MAAN Architecture Studio Location: Qom, Iran Date: 2014 Area: 63,000 sqm Status: Competition Proposal Client: Housing Cooperative of Qom Construction Engineering Organization Project Team: Majid Zamani, Mohaddeseh Younesi, Mohammadreza Riahi, Tannaz Balazadeh, Ali Seirafi The design is based on two main concepts: first, improving social life of the complex and second, creating a strong link to the cultural and architectural context of the city. In order to focus on social interactions, a community ‘square’ is formed in the middle of the site. This public space will be the heart of the complex and all the residential units are arranged around it. Interior lounges and semi-private spaces in each floor further this idea and provide common areas for the residents. These ‘neighborhoods’ are crucial in providing security, social sustainability, and sense of place and belonging. The link to the city as the context of the project is achieved by several means. The general orientation and arrangement of the building put an emphasis on the city axis and establish a visual connection between the city and the landscape behind the site. On the other hand, cultural and historical identity of the city of Qom became the driving force behind the project. Qom, not far from the capital, is the home of the world’s largest Shi’a seminaries and considered holy by Shi’a Islam. Therefore, the form of arch, as a basic element of Iranian / Islamic architecture, was selected to act as a visual representation of the identity of the city. On another level, this iconic form can also present itself as an abstract shape adapted to a contemporary visual language. It also plays a crucial role in defining the public area beneath it and connects all the open areas of the project. The general form of the project also responds to the climatic conditions of the area and creates continuity and a united whole.