As a final academic design project, a housing complex was chosen to face design challenges on different scales and levels while maintaining the harmony of a whole. The housing project was proposed to replace the current neighborhood with problems concerning lack of safety and facilities, low quality of life and high rate of unemployment. Thus, a thorough research on the neighborhood and residents was conducted as well as a study of housing typologies and alternatives. As a result, the idea of multiple focal points with live interactions was developed by designing various courtyards in-between housing units, creating a semi-private neighborhood and a locality for surrounding units to interact, become active and evolve communal connections.
Courtyards
The courtyards were initially inspired by traditional Persian residences, identified by their features of Iranian-Islamic architecture including introversion, hierarchy of public and private spaces, tight relation of open and enclosed spaces and complete geometrical shapes were implemented to provide the neighbourhood with levels of confidentiality, intimacy and safety in addition to light supplement. Further private open spaces in this hierarchy are granted to sets of housing units and also separate units by establishing private gardens for each type.
Housing
A total of thirteen types of houses were designed and arranged around the main courtyards. Types are ordered in four categories based on their total area. To access these units, lobbies and cores are used for each set of units. Modular design creates flexibility and enables further advances and developments of the housing project as well as creating simplicity in order to make room for alterations and diversity which would result in local acceptance and adaptation to the habitat
In this project the modular structure is made of reinforced concrete and is defined in both axes resulting in a balance with great earthquake resistance.
02
Tehran Office Tower
Professional Project; May 2019 | Tehran, Iran
Programme: Technical design and construction details of a Mixed-use Complex
Type: Proffessional - Group Work (with Dorna Shafieyoon)
Role: Team leader, technical supervisor, and designer
Contribution: Technical and mechanical design and drawing, construction details development, BIM coordination, facade redesign, 3D modeling, and presentation.
Software Used: Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Revit MEP, Autodesk AutoCad, V-Ray, Lumion 10, Sketchup, MS Project, Dynamo
The project entails the technical design and development of a 12-story multi-functional building, incorporating office spaces (floors 5 and above), commercial areas (ground and 3rd floors), and cultural units (cinema and galleries). The building envelopes and connects the functions using two vertical voids located on the sides of the core. Phase 1 was designed at TEM’s Tehran office under the author’s supervision, with Phase 2 executed by the author in collaboration with Dorna Shafieyoon. Comprehensive technical, structural, mechanical, and electrical designs were provided for the client, resulting in a detailed booklet of technical drawings, construction details, and a BIM model.
Context
Programme Concept
North Elevation | Circulation diagram
Drawn by Dorna Shafieyoun
Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi
Electrical
The mechanical plans include the HVAC system and a complete duct network, calculated and sized based on air velocity and volume. Sufficient piping for both cold and hot water was designed for the ventilators, which are connected to the boiler room and the chiller and air cooling systems on the rooftop. Detailed diagrams of all valves and connections were created to ensure seamless integration and functionality of the entire mechanical system.
The electrical plans for the building were developed using Autodesk Revit software integrated with the BIM model. These plans cover every floor and detail the layouts for lighting fixtures, wiring, and power sockets. They include designs for telephone and data wiring, CCTV, fire alarm and electrical diagrams for the main generator, panels, and overall power distribution, ensuring an efficient and effective electrical infrastructure throughout the building.
Plumbing
To support sustainability and minimize waste, the plumbing system was meticulously designed. Detailed plans were created for water supply and return systems, drainage including sewage and vents, and grey water reuse and recycling. Fixture details were also thoroughly developed. Additionally, recycled grey water is rerouted for use in plant irrigation and toilet flushing, ensuring an efficient and eco-friendly system throughout the building.
Mechanical
6th Floor Air HVAC & Duct System
Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi
12th Floor Wiring & Lighting Plan
Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi
10th Floor Fire Alarm & Sprinkler System
Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi
5th Floor Water Supply Plan
Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi
7th Floor Graywater & Sewage Piping Plan
8th Floor Roof Beam Framing Plan
Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi
11th Floor Decoration & Flooring Plan
Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi & Dorna Shafieyoun
9th Floor Dimensions & Axis Plan
Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi
Structural
The project features a steel framework to reduce weight and speed up construction. Elements and connections were designed based on load calculations. Shear walls around the main cores resist lateral forces, allowing for a transparent façade to maximize daylight. Modular GFRC panels were used for the façade, with maintenance and durability plans. Architectural and structural details such as stairs, toilets, and other spaces were also developed in 2D and 3D.
Type A Bathrooms Detail
Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi & Dorna Shafieyoun 1 2
Type C Staircase Detail
Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi & Dorna Shafieyoun
Space Frame Details Designed & Drawn by Aria
Cinema Section Detail 1 Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi & Dorna
Shafieyoun
Cinema HVAC System Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi
Cinema Sections Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi
Cinema
Torabi
West-East Building Section (A-A) Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi 3D
3D Column-Beam Connection (Type C) Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi & Dorna Shafieyoun
Concrete Slab Connection Detail Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi & Dorna Shafieyoun
Section A-A
Designed & Drawn by Aria Torabi & Dorna Shafieyoun
Valiasr Complex 03
Undergraduate 4th year 7th semester Issued on January 27, 2019 | Tehran, Iran
Programme: Mixed-use complex (Office, Cultural & Commercial)
Type: Academic - Individual Work
Tutors: Prof. Mohammadreza Hafezi (mr-hafezi@sbu.ac.ir),
Prof. Matin Alaghmandan (m.alaghmandan@gmail.com)
Role: Planning, concept design and development, drafting and modeling in detail & individual study as well as rendering and post-production
The Valiasr Complex, located between two important avenues and a highway, was designed to meet a vast range of functions and requirements of a mixed-use project. Therefore, it revolved around designing and programming offices, commercial units and entertainment and cultural facilities in a way that would allure the locality, and maintain an interactive dialogue with its surrounding. The variety of potential distinct views from the project resulted in designing different viewpoints and terraces altered by angle and altitude facing an overview of side avenues and highway, a far view to the downtown in the south, and the northern view to the mountains.
Context
Terraces in higher levels cause a constant indoor-outdoor open dialogue delivering a diverse spatial quality for offices while increasing natural light and maintaining visual connectivity. Terraces in lower levels feature public activities such as local temporary markets which support the local community and an outdoor cinema. On Valiasr Avenue side the entrance courtyard is filled with local commercial tents to draw lively attention and initiates a path through commercial and cultural section.
Offices are placed by Gandhi Avenue and consist of units in different sizes and types including an open office. Shared spaces such as the dining area and café are also created alongside resting open spaces for employees. On the entertainment floor three types of indoor, outdoor and private cinemas are designed and galleries are located at the end of this path.
Terraces Shared Spaces
Morphology Programme
The final form of the project was made to be simple, subtle and understandable for local people and visitors while containing distinct functions. A playful design with planes (slabs and walls), lines (the round columns) and volumes was utilized in addition to pilotis to lighten the mass and create harmony. The structure consists of two main concrete cores and modular frames to evenly distribute the weight and withstand horizontal forces.
As the project revolves around its three main functions (Office, Cultural, Commercial), a broad range of communal and shared areas were anticipated alongside the arrangement of these main functions. These shared spaces inside and the open spaces and terraces of each level outside allow users to interact and create a dynamic atmosphere and provide the project with a sense of life while keeping the east-west urban green belt continuum.
Library for ‘‘Ashayer’’ Nomad Tribes
Architectural Design Competition Held on May 22, 2021 | Various Locations in Iran
Programme: Architectural design proposal; Libraries for nomadic tribes in Iran
Type: Professional - Group Work
Organizers: FabLab Tehran (info@fablab.ir) & Iran Public Libraries Foundation
Role: Architectural research and co-designer, Technical design, graphics director, furniture designer, 3D modeling, and architectural presentation
Nomadic tribes with diverse cultures and ethnicities are dispersed across various climate regions in the country, each settled in their traditional habitats with a deep physical and emotional connection to nature. These nomads, traditionally known as “Ashayer,” are characterized by their tribal living and constant seasonal migration. Extensive research into their habits, settlement technologies, artistic sense, and craftsmanship has led to their classification into five main groups based on migration routes and seasons, arts and culture, and traditions.
Inspiration
Inspired by the Ashayer’s traditional tent-building skills, focusing on quick, lightweight assemblies. This approach ensures the new structures are easily transportable and rapidly assembled, enhancing their cultural practice with modern materials and techniques.
Narrative
Designing a library for the Ashayer presents challenges due to their independent lifestyle and rich traditions in art, housing, and techniques. This project has been tailored to align with their current housing, artistic sensibilities, and spatial preferences. Given their constant migration, it’s crucial that these structures are easy to transport, assemble, and dismantle by the Ashayer without specialist assistance. Moreover, incorporating innovative details and modern technology is essential to enhance their technical knowledge while respecting their traditions.
Economical & Sustainable Using reusable and green materials
Familar Technique Using local art of construction
Simple & Easy to Use Using modular and flexible units
Resilient & Adaptable to Climate Change Using a variety of arrangments
Practical & Diverse Using standard but interactive system
Art & Culture Responsive and inspired by each local culture
The affordable design features flexible, modular structures that can be adjusted for different climates. The arrangement considers their living habits and available materials. The wooden framework, covered with unique category-specific fabrics, is easy to assemble, dismantle, and transport during migration.
All six pillars of the module use the same wooden beams as tribal tents and are replaceable. The two middle pillars can extend to create a sloping roof. The side faces are covered with knitted wooden straw mats and crossed braces, providing filtered light and resisting lateral forces like wind and earthquakes. These covers can be rolled around the pillars for easy dismantling.
An interactive library was designed to offer various educational and social functions, including flexible spaces for classes and conventions, as well as private and semi-private study areas, providing spatial diversity for nomadic people. The furniture plays a crucial role in creating different functions within the same space. Cubic modules made of reused cardboard can be arranged into chairs, tables, and larger furniture pieces. These modules also serve as book-carrying boxes during migration.
Collages of Function & Context
The Figures are painted by
Diagram of Assembly Steps
10-Step Process & Reconfigurations
Parviz Kalantari
Geodesic Dome
Undergraduate 3rd year Assembled on December 23, 2018 | Tehran, Iran
Programme: Physical elements design and Manufacturing in Architecture; Design & assembly of a Geodesic dome for Exhibition
Type: Academic - Group Work
Tutors: Prof. Saeed Mashayekh Faridani (s-mfaridani@sbu.ac.ir)
Role: Part of design and fabrication team, Manufacturer of Metal Joints, and Assembly of pieces. Laser cutting, drilling, scraping metal joints and wooden elements.
A pavilion was designed for the 19th Exhibition of Research and Technological Advances in Iran to showcase university’s student projects. The geodesic dome, made of detachable parts, ensured easy mobility, assembly, and maintenance, providing a spacious room (3.6m height, 4m radius) for exhibits. Design, modeling, manufacturing, and customization were managed by a student team handling metal and woodwork. The dome featured steel base stands, six types of junctions (each with five parts), and five types of wooden members connected with screws. Removable members allowed entry, and the structure could be covered with plywood or aluminum panels for outdoor use.
The Universal Typeface
Personal Project Issued on May 20, 2020 | Tehran, Iran
Type: Personal - Individual Work
Role: Research in literature and linguistics, Design and Computating a graphical typeface made of 512 characters, a minimal typeface which would be simple to read and understandable in any context of communication including different languages and other ways of communication such as the communication of the blind, and visually impaired and disabled people as well as digital and computational and numeral and coding languages.
Software Used: Autodesk CAD, Unity, FontLab Studio
All 512 Characters of the Typeface
Inspiration
The Typeface was initially based on Louis Braille’s 6-dot system, then expanded and developed graphically on the basis of the Latin alphabet. Whereas the Braille system uses few characters that cause double usage and confusion and also, they are in no relation to their assigned alphabetical characters visually, an expanded 9-dot square-shaped system (512 characters).
Each character of the typeface consists of 9 dots or spaces which could be “ON” or “OFF”, the filled spaces or palped dots that represent “ON” form each character. As these spaces could only be on two states (ON=1, OFF=0) all the characters could be encoded into a binary set of numbers to be easily transmitted digitally and auditory. For Instance, the letter “C” is encoded into 111 101 101.
Around the Globe
Journeys from 2010 to 2023 | Planet Earth
Programme: A travel journey from around the world depicted in sketches, photographs, and experiences.
Type: Personal - Journey & Experience
Visited: Le Corbusier (Notre Dame du Haut, La Tourette, The Japan’s National Museum of Western Art, Unité d’Habitation of Berlin, Reze, Marseille, Villa Turque, Villa Church, ...)
Zaha Hadid (MAXXI, London Aquatics Centre, Vitra Fire Station, CMA CGM Tower, Morpheus Hotel)
Mies van der Rohe (Lemke House, 1 Westmount Square, Toronto-Dominion Centre) and many more.
My Journey:
Asia / Iran, Japan, China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Georgia, Turkey, UAE, Qatar | Africa / South Africa, Tunisia Europe / United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Austria, Monaco, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta North America / Canada, Mexico, Cuba | South America / Brazil | Oceania / Australia
Here and There
I have had the opportunity to travel to 34 countries across 6 continents, experiencing diverse cultures, traditions, art, architecture, and ways of living in various climatic and societal contexts. This exposure has broadened my mind, enhanced my adaptability, and deepened my understanding of the world’s beauties and issues. Inspired by the architectural and cultural traits of each country, I captured many moments with my camera and sketched numerous monuments and sources of inspiration.
