Iran's capital, Tehran, is a city swallowed up by massive amounts of construction. A dense, indistinct city with all sorts of pollution that is losing features such as gardens and public open spaces. Buildings are constructed one after another in different forms and shapes while the city does not gain enough benefit in return for the lost green spaces.
The question arises as to whether a building has an effective role to play in the recovery of a town by means of design strategies? By creating a meaningful and exaggerated contrast with the polluted city, can we turn the habitable area into a vibrant green space? Persika can be perceived as an answer to this question (a project with a long story that was intended to take on a classical appearance similar to most buildings in this region, but changed its direction after the design and construction of the structure and was handed over to our office to continue its design).
Its new path was also filled with many challenges. As the building skeleton was under construction when the design process began, adding green surfaces to the exterior, surfaces that are suitable for cultivation and growth and that have sufficient depth and thickness, was a challenging task both structurally and according to municipal regulations. However, by insisting on the concept and participating in a series of meetings, this has become feasible and practicable.
Among important and effective issues in the project was a stream right beside the building that became part of the design after taking an important and strategic decision. In such water courses, access is usually closed and these areas are abandoned, but this part of the land has been transformed into a fine usable public space in its design process whilst being prepared for emergency situations.
Persika faces the city through a layer of green trees originating from the Hyrcanian forests. While the city would be reminded of the lack of an ideal living environment, it would also create a peaceful and pleasant environment for its residents as well as an opportunity to gaze out over the city.
