LAANAK VILLA

University of Kurdistan, دانشگاه کردستان

Project idea

The strategy of the preliminary design aimed to harmonize two layers of private life (internal) and semi-public life (external). Based on this, we tried to create a confidential and introverted space for private life by reconfiguring the ground and extending it. We also sought to organize semi-public living spaces with maximum communication with the outside. To achieve this, we modified the roof by removing the walls.
The prevailing climate in this village is cold and harsh for half of the year and moderate and humid for the other half. This duality evokes the need to create a shield against the violence of nature on one hand, while on the other, it invites an appreciation of the landscape and pristine nature of the region.

Project description

We were commissioned to design a house by a client who had been involved in the construction of our luxury projects. He desired a place to relax in his native village. "Laanak" emerged from a dialogue between the architectural elements (floor, wall, and ceiling) in response to the client's needs, brought forth half by his immediate experience of upbringing in a deeply traditional and religious rural setting, and half by living in the modern and rationalistic environment of the capital. Specifically, he sought a modern building with strong connections to the outdoors, akin to the luxury buildings he had constructed in Tehran, while also desiring an enclosed space to provide privacy for his guests and close relatives.

Technical information

Hence, given the client's family background in construction and the accessibility and cost-effectiveness of bricks, which play a pivotal role in the economic sustainability of local artisans across generations, it appears feasible to propose construction techniques that effectively embody this concept.
Blending the thickness inherent in traditional construction techniques with the modern focus on transparency evident in the project's concept has resulted in a fresh spatial experience. This approach enables the infusion of natural light and fosters dynamic interaction between the interior and exterior, while also offering a spectrum of enclosure options. As a result, the client's second home in the suburbs delivers a wholly distinctive spatial and living experience compared to urban apartments.