Annab House by Ayeneh Office: A Contemporary Courtyard Home Rooted in Nature

Located in Najafabad, Iran, Annab House is a thoughtful two-story residential project by Ayeneh Office, designed as a dual-purpose home that seamlessly functions as a private residence and an independent guest unit. Completed in 2021 and spanning 280 m², the house embodies a sensitive architectural response to its site, centered around preserving a centuries-old Annab (jujube) tree that anchors the entire design concept.

Through careful positioning, natural light strategies, and a series of intimate courtyards, the architects Ali Soltani and Atefeh Karbasi craft a spatial narrative where interior and exterior coexist in harmony, offering privacy, calmness, and strong connection to nature.

Preserving the Ancient Annab Tree as the Heart of the Design

The project’s most defining element is the ancient Annab tree, around which the house is organized. Rather than imposing on the landscape, Ayeneh Office embraced a design approach that protects and highlights the tree, making it a focal point for both the main residence and guest unit.

The architects positioned the building along the northern side of the site to frame and protect the southern courtyard where the tree stands, creating a serene, sunlit outdoor room that nourishes daily life.

A Pathway of Light: Circulation as Architectural Experience

Entry into the home begins with a west-side pathway leading to a small, sheltered courtyard and a custom staircase, one of the project’s signature design elements. More than a functional connector, the staircase acts as a sculptural marker, guiding movement and shaping the visitor’s experience from the moment they enter the site.

Along this journey, the architects integrated small light-filled voids throughout the building. These voids channel daylight deep into the interior, producing shifting shadows and a dynamic interplay of brightness that elevates the spatial character of the home.

Spatial Organization: Public and Private Zones Defined with Purpose

Past the entrance courtyard, a solid partition wall discreetly separates the threshold of the house from the primary interior spaces. This gesture establishes a clear distinction between public and private zones, enhancing comfort and privacy while creating a moment of transition.

Ground Floor Layout

The ground level is organized with efficiency and clarity:

• The living room, softly illuminated by an eastern-facing window, is tucked behind the dividing wall, creating a peaceful retreat.
• The kitchen and living room open directly onto the southern courtyard, maximizing natural light and extending the interior outward.
• Three bedrooms occupy the northern side of the house. Each room benefits from natural light filtered through southern or eastern openings.
• A unique void in the northern zone enhances the bathroom’s ambiance, adding visual interest through its sculpted geometry.

An Independent Guest Unit on the First Floor

The first floor serves as a complete guest suite, providing privacy and autonomy from the main residence. This level includes:

• A light-filled living room facing south
• A compact and functional kitchen oriented to the north
• A comfortable master bedroom
• A dedicated bathroom

A seasonal sleeping space, known as a baharkhab, is positioned to capture warm southern sunlight, offering guests a traditional yet comfortable experience of Persian courtyard living.

Natural Light, Privacy, and Harmony with the Surroundings

Throughout the home, Ayeneh Office employs thoughtful setbacks and alignments, including stepping the building back to harmonize with the eastern neighbor, to create a respectful relationship with the context. The result is a warm and modern home where privacy is carefully balanced with openness, and where natural light becomes an essential architectural material.

All photographs are works of Ali Gorjian