farshad mehdizadeh develops the isfahan dreamland commercial center

farshad mehdizadeh develops the isfahan dreamland commercial center
all images courtesy of farshad mehdizadeh

iranian architect farshad mehdizadeh was commissioned by the isfahan housing development organization to refurbish an existing commercial center across a parking lot from the dreamland theme park. stemming from a simple facade re-design, the architect saw an opportunity to push the scope further and develop a more socially and architecturally integrated design that would interact with its surroundings. taking the 6×6 structural module of the existing building, roof planes are extruded in cube-like forms creating an almost safdie-esque habitat of overlapping decks and canopies of various sizes. the parking lot was relieved of its function and converted into a public plaza containing cafes, restaurants, galleries and open spaces for the community. the commercial center with its tunneled cubes is oriented in all directions framing various views of the surrounding city while it defines a path of circulation that alternates from interior to exterior and offers constant unique views.

the modular design is extrapolated to form a series of layered decks and roofs containing the commercial spaces

view from the ground level

arched tunnels make voids in the concrete cubes

site area

aerial view

existing structure eroded into pixellated forms

model

project info:

client: isfahan housing development organization   
location: isfahan, iran
area: 50,000 sqm