The Morshedi Carpet Museum is located within the historic fabric of Kashan, one of Iran’s most renowned carpet-weaving centers. The project site was relatively small and embedded in the dense urban texture, creating unique design challenges. The solution was to expand the building downward, forming three underground levels organized around a central lightwell and a tree that grows through the heart of the museum. This tree, visible from all floors, symbolizes life and continuity while establishing a dialogue between architecture and nature. The exterior is constructed with kāhgel (traditional mud plaster), a local and sustainable material that evokes Kashan’s desert architecture and harmonizes with its historic context.

The Morshedi Carpet Museum carries a social responsibility as a cultural hub: preserving one of Iran’s oldest crafts and passing it on to future generations. Educational and interactive sections for children and teenagers, family and school programs, and the retelling of Kashan’s carpet history all contribute to cultural enrichment and a deeper public connection with heritage.

The project is defined and designed across three interconnected scales. At the urban scale, the building engages with Kashan’s historic fabric, employing vernacular materials such as kāhgel and forms derived from desert architecture to achieve harmony with its surrounding context.

At the architectural scale, the spatial organization unfolds across three levels: the basement accommodates administrative functions, the ground floor houses the museum and gallery spaces, and the first floor is dedicated to the Morshedi Restaurant. All levels are organized around a central lightwell and a tree that visually and conceptually connects the entire building.

At the detail scale, the focus shifts to the precise presentation of carpet-making elements—from yarn and natural dyes to weaving tools—allowing visitors to experience the art of carpet weaving in layered depth.