Site Description**

A 10-floor residential building is located at a crossroad in the heart of the old parklands of Northern Tehran (Shemiran), within walking distance of the Tajrish, bazaar. This area was used in the past as Yeylagh – a seasonal retreat for ancient transhumance practices, where communities moved to cooler, higher elevations during the summer. Once known for its sprawling princely gardens at the foothills of the towering Alborz Mountains, the neighborhood has transformed with the city’s growth. Today, it is one of Tehran’s most sought-after residential addresses, marked by the rise of modern towers.

Problematic History

The building is designed for luxurious family and hospitality living while remaining faithful to the age-old princilpes of Persian architecture – namely, the distinction between the private inner chambers (Andarouni) and the public outer halls of the (Birouni). It comprises one 650m2 Penthouse unit with five bedrooms, three 430m2 duplex units with three or four bedrooms each, and six 410m2 mono-level apartments of unrivalled elegance, each with three or four bedrooms. Every unit includes three indoor parking spaces. All apartments feature a large living room, dining room and TV room, with an abundance of natural light throughout.

Inspiration

Our design is driven by the belief that the quality of the surroundings directly impacts the quality of life. We hold that thoughtful design should permeate every aspect of the building - from the exterior and lobby to the common areas and individual apartments.

Inspired by Iran's rich and ancient culture, the design uses color and material to achieve an elegance that blends tradition with modernity. Luxury is defined by esoteric beauty and finest-quality finishes but, most importantly, by tranquility and ease of living in an urban setting. As a Firouz Firouz signature residence, this building embodies both a spirit of harmony and a feeling of peace, standing as a modern relic of Elayieh’s charming garden history.

New Concept, System and Method

The Kouhyar façade mirrors the rich color palette of Persian rugs, blending blues, reds, yellows, and greens to transform the building into a joyful and inviting residence. The exterior is punctuated and set back to allow a floral ribbon of greenery in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. A large private Eyvan (Iwan/Terrace) graces all units, offering residents a sensory experience of Tehran’s four dinstinct seasons.

Continuing the garden traditions of the neighbourhood, the Kuhyar building shares its green space with the cityscape, demonstrating a generosity of spirit. A magnificent drive-in “carriage” courtyard entrance welcomes residents and guests with the sound of a water cascade, the aroma of flowers, and two cypress trees, leading into a warm and panoramic lobby.

Firouz Firouz’s well-known style and reputation for fine craftsmanship and finishing impart a sense of well-being and comfort to the interior spaces, again though a considered combination of colors and textures.

At the entrance level, the residence features a unique pool spa area - encompassing a swimming pool, massage room, and saunas - flanked by a lush, naturally colorful private garden, a rarity in Tehran. A spacious fitness center again with its own private garden is also provided.

The landscape strategy of Kuhyar Residence reinterprets the principles of the traditional Persian garden within the framework of a vertical, urban apartment building. Instead of confining greenery to the ground plane or rooftop, the project introduces a continuous green ribbon—one that begins at the entrance courtyard, rises through recessed terraces, and ultimately unfolds into a rooftop garden overlooking the city.

This vertical continuity, combined with a drive-in garden courtyard at street level, creates a generous spatial threshold between the dense urban context and the private world of the residents. Here, landscape is not treated as a static backdrop, but as a lived experience—defined by changing light, seasonal scents, and shifting perspectives.

Private terraces, iwan-inspired balconies, and carefully framed green views extend this experience into everyday life, reaching even the pool and fitness areas. Nature becomes woven into the architecture, shaping how spaces are perceived, inhabited, and remembered.

The result is a rare and thoughtful integration of landscape within Tehran’s compact urban fabric—where greenery functions not as decoration, but as a living system tied to spatial identity, environmental quality, and sensory well-being.

New Elements, Objects, Tools

At Kuhyar Residence, materials are curated to evoke cultural memory, tactility, and timeless elegance. In the pool area, bespoke hand-painted glazed tiles by a renowned Iranian artist depict iconic Iranian landscapes, from Mount Damavand to Tehran’s historic symbols, transforming the space into a visual and sensory experience.

The façade features metal louvers - not wood - adding a contemporary character while regulating light and privacy. Deep blue shades, basalt stone flooring in the parking areas, bronze detailing in elevators, and a refined mix of granite and wood in the lobby elevate the material quality throughout the building.

A highlight is the 100 m² lobby, inspired by traditional Iranian craftsmanship. It incorporates mirror mosaic (ayeneh-kari) and delicate plasterwork (gach-kari) combined with colored glass motifs from Shiraz. These elements create a warm, welcoming atmosphere rich in visual and cultural continuity.

Culture Improvement

At Kuhyar Residence, the architectural design goes beyond aesthetics and function—it embodies a responsibility toward enhancing the quality of life. Rooted in the belief that the built environment deeply influences human well-being, the project emphasizes comfort, natural light, green integration, and emotional connection to place.

The design reinterprets traditional Iranian living patterns in a contemporary form, offering spaces that support family cohesion, privacy, tranquility, and cultural continuity. Every detail—from natural ventilation and views to serene lobbies and wellness amenities—is crafted to improve daily life.

In a fast-changing and high-density urban context like Tehran, Kuhyar serves as a model for how architecture can offer both physical and emotional refuge, reconnecting residents with nature, beauty, and a sense of belonging.

Scale to Consider

The design of the Kuhyar Residence considers multiple scales—from the intimate sphere of family life to the larger urban context of modern, densely built Elahiyeh. Set within a contemporary high-density neighborhood, the project consciously redefines the relationship between residents and their environment through a focus on spatial quality, greenery, and light. Features such as green terraces, iwans, and generous natural lighting provide a layered experience that enhances everyday living across all scales.