AbCT architects: apartment no.1, mahallat, iran

‘apartment no.1’ by AbCT architects, mahallat, iran image © AKAA / omid khodapanahi

among the hellenistic ruins of mahallat in central iran stands a residence clad in the reclaimed segments of cut stone. the business of treating and cutting stone is central to the region and, in effect, produces a wealth of discarded material– over half of the excavated stone is rendered unusable. working in quarry-filled hometown, local architect ramin mehdizadeh used the uniform thickness of the residual rock to create a layered and high-performing skin for a five storey mixed use building. ground level retail spaces and eight residential spaces are punctured with a composition of glazing and shielded with monumental angled forms. different colors and textures of the earth-borne tectonic become a dynamically unified prismatic mass. the cultural need for privacy and the opportunity for picturesque views met in an architectural compromise- expansive glazed windows were fitted with wood-batten shutters that crease open while providing ultimate user flexibility in regard to light and temperature regulation. the architecture is a testament to the ability of the built form to engage the culture of the site through both material and form.

 video © the aga khan award for architecture

massive angled protrusions provide both solar protection and privacy image © AKAA / omid khodapanahi

stone, wood and glazing are in dialogue image © AKAA / omid khodapanahi

the wood-batten shutters provide optimum flexibility for temperature regulation and ventilation image © AKAA / omid khodapanahi

differently colored and textured stones consolidate into a subtle, yet dynamic cladding image © AKAA / omid khodapanahi

details highlight the layered form image © AKAA / omid khodapanahi

interior view image © AKAA / omid khodapanahi

perspective views of the aperture-ridden building image © hoffmeister leuchten gmbh

plan view image © hoffmeister leuchten gmbh

axonometric view image © AKAA / AbCT architects