Nestled within a northern Iranian valley, this villa is conceived as a meditative getaway through a series of distinct gardens and terraces. The plot itself is wide at the meeting of the street frontage, gradually narrowing as it extends away, creating a perpendicularly linear form. This geometry allows the longer street-side wall to fully ensure privacy. as the land stretches along its north-south axis, the villa and its gardens ascend in levels, focusing the design vertically. The overarching aim was to integrate all the elements of a traditional Persian house - from the iwan to various garden forms like the baghcheh and sunken garden.

The design responded to several key challenges. The elongated, narrowing plot demanded careful spatial organization to balance program and circulation. A dual slope in the terrain presented construction difficulties but was transformed into a design opportunity. Providing ample natural light and ventilation was addressed through strategic orientation and openings, while separating public and private spaces across different levels was essential to maintain comfort and privacy for the family.

Access is provided by a tunnel entrance on one side of the site, allowing cars to reach a basement-level garage. Red brick insulated walls suit the clay-infused earth of Tehran. The building is set back from the street , separated by a sequence of gardens and large hoz (garden pond) that leads to the ground floor iwan (Persian-style patio.) Public spaces occupy the lower level opening freely into the garden, while more private rooms are located upstairs. Throughout, cross ventilation through the structure and yard functions as a passive cooling system.

Overlooking the gardens and orchard to the front, an upper floor terrace baharkhab – a space for sleeping outdoors in warmer months – was included. The gardens form the heart of the villa, which is positioned centrally toward the rear of the property. A hanging garden lines one wall, while a scented garden along the opposite wall leads to a traditional Persian “sunken garden” at the back.

The project integrates several innovative architectural and environmental strategies. A passive ventilation system orients the building on a north–south axis, with large openings to the north and south while minimal east–west exposure. The pool cools and humidifies incoming breezes, enhancing thermal comfort. The two-story iwan blocks harsh summer sun yet admits winter sunlight , while also improving airflow – an effect strenghtened by the second-floor setback. Locally sourced traditional brickwork is reimagined with modern insulation, merging cultural heritage with energy-efficient technology.

Further innovations include a green roof, a vehicule tunnel, and the cooling pool. Traditional elements like the iwan and sunken garden are reinterpreted to optimize daylight and ventilation, while insulated walls and thermal-break windows boost energy efficiency.

Respect for nature and people and heritage guided the entire endeavor. By adapting to the natural topography, the design minimized unnecessary earthwork and preserved the site’s integrity. Gardens, pools, a sunken courtyard, and a green roof, weave the built space into the landscape. Sustainable materials such as recyclable brick and energy-efficient glazing reduce environmental impact. At the same time, the project revives elements of Iranian architectural identity – through mirrorwork, tilework, and spatial hierarchy – strengthening cultural continuity while meeting the needs of contemporary life.

The design carefully considers multiple scales, from the site to human experience. The elongated 1,590 m² plot with a dual slope influenced the building’s layout, minimizing excavation and integrating terraced gardens. The 1,395 m², three-story building balances public spaces on the ground floor with private areas above, while setbacks create circulation around the house. Human-scale elements, including terraces, the baharkhab, sunken courtyard, and gardens, enhance outdoor living and comfort. Architectural features like the double-height iwan, pool, and green roof serve both functional and environmental purposes, supporting daylight, ventilation, and leisure.