Design in Teheran Competition, Benetton

Two Children, Teheran, schematic overview.

The two children

Two children stand against the wind.

One is thin, nimble and pale. He pulls.

One is big, taller and with the skin burn by the sun. He pushes.

We are a perfect combination, they use to say to all those who pass and see them.

They stand still, without prejudice: one pulls, the other still pushes.

Summary Report

The building is formed mainly by two connected circular shapes organized around inner voids. Concept comes mainly from updating local wind tower principles and merging form, functions, modern needs and actual design. This is also to “dematerialize” the overall looking and to take advantage from the birth of a contrast. Form is deliberately evocative, not provocative. Four underground parking floors, eight above-ground levels. The first two host three commercial spaces, highly characterized from the dramatic circular shapes, the next five storey are for office space with different configurations around two inner voids, the last one is for residences, from four to six units. The outdoor space is intended as a public space linked to commercial area by art installations and exhibitions. A blend of stone pavement and small green urban areas complete the ground level offer. Windows stands almost 360°. Glasses are coplanar to the top coating, ensuring continuity and coherence. Two stairs and four lifts bring from outside or from parking levels, to the upper floors. Distribution is radial starting from connective spaces around the voids and the stairs. At office levels windows are made for relaxation. Less noise enters, some smart mini-green areas is visible from the double V-shaped windows. All work-areas partitions are organized by framed glasses, transparent or opaque, plain or decorated. Natural light is also captured from the glazed voids. Reception, social, back-office and storage spaces are all part of the design. Double plasterboard walls organize the other service spaces. The look is smooth, smart, distinctive and friendly. With a strong local identity without being dull or a mimesi. Local inputs are reorganized to come to new results also in term of design. At night windows and dramatic lightning (commercial floors windows, upper windows purple cuts, atop Persian led décor, vertical lights on voids) animate the public space and characterize the neighbourhood. Geothermal pumps with vertical probes ensure the supply of the required thermal energy for heating and summer free-cooling. Solar panels at roof tops, all around the two voids, are electricity partial suppliers. Low temperature floor heating and ceiling-recessed cooling plant are the main thermal plants, together with the air extraction/processing conducts. Lighting is provided mainly with led by wall applique and ceiling-recessed lights, both indirect or protected direct. On external ground area, a dedicated space for art installation is complementary to the high public attitude of the place among three streets. Night lighting by floor recessed RGB spots emphasizes this space.

Originality/Innovation.

Compact shape is not new to building design, yet curved surfaces is rather innovative especially in contemporary architecture and locally in the surroundings. Form&function are merged with the aim to be highly representative, pleasant, with a strong identity, user-friendly and nice to be looked at. At the same time, real users can take advantage of a strong modern structure which satisfies all contemporary requirements in term of functionality and well-being. The project pursues the aims of coherence, simplicity, balance, beauty and functionality. Art installation is complementary.

Sustainability.

Pleasantness in working spaces and environmental attention are here merged. Low-energy attitude and CO2 absorbtion facades are linked to perform sustainability both for users and for city life. Water is collected to be reused (thanks also to inner void shapes) as the building takes advantage from free solar power and geothermal energy. All internal materials have to be certified against release of substances harmful to health. Natural ventilation comes from the special shape, and in winter warm foul air extraction will melt snow from inner voids.

Cultural approach/strength.

Concept comes mainly from updating local wind tower principles and merging form, functions, modern needs and actual design. Form is deliberately evocative, not provocative. Users are intended as people who works, live and use it, as well as all the people who just see and pass by. It’s for the city life and not only for the property, yet very well identifiable. Although surrounding buildings are squared/boxes type, curved line and surfaces are proper to local culture and stratified in historical building design.

Economy as appropriate use of technologies & materials.

State of the art in plant design (geothermal, solar and led lightening), form&function linked for natural air ventilation, pre-cast front panels with double thermal insulation layers, compact shapes to lower energy requirements, noise insulation also in windows design (V shape). Voids as space organizers, bringing light, air and acting as pivots for inner circulation. All technologies and material used are normally found in local real-estate market or to be easily assembled in place.