Goosheha Office Building: Redefining Tehran Architecture by Nazanin Gholami

The Goosheha Office Building, designed by Nazanin Gholami, stands as a testament to innovative architectural solutions in Tehran, Iran. Completed in 2023, this 680 m² office building addresses the unique challenges posed by its narrow site and stringent municipal regulations, creating a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Architectural Challenges and Solutions

Site Constraints

Located in the Yusefabad neighborhood, the Goosheha Office Building faced two primary challenges: the narrow width and long length of the site, and the presence of two chamfered walls on the sides. Municipal regulations prohibiting windows in chamfered walls led to insufficient daylighting from the southern side. Nazanin Gholami’s design approach ingeniously maximized window area and daylighting while respecting these constraints.

Volumetric Facade Design

The neighborhood's architectural context, known for its high-quality examples of modernist architecture, inspired Gholami to design a volumetric facade. By setting the transparent layer of the facade (windows) slightly back, a space was created between the stone cladding and the transparent layer. This space acts as a joint between the interior and exterior, enhancing the quality of the interior space. The use of a single material for all facade surfaces emphasized the volumetric composition, ensuring cohesive integration of the volumes.

Interior and Exterior Integration

Enhanced Interior Spaces

Within the interior, the varying viewpoints relative to the windows provide different levels of visibility to the external space. This design creates a dynamic interaction between the interior and exterior, enhancing the occupants' experience as they navigate through the building.

Innovative Facade

The facade’s orientation changes as one moves along the alley, offering different perspectives and adding visual interest. This variation creates a unique experience, challenging the conventional facade designs seen in surrounding buildings, which often rely on material diversity for attractiveness. Gholami's approach transforms the facade from a mere surface to a space, fading the borders between the inside and outside.

Materials and Manufacturers

The building’s construction utilized materials from various manufacturers, including Avandad, Kara Glass, Monte, Tabriz Tile Concept, SPL Lighting, and Zigma Tile Co. The choice of a single material for the facade surfaces maintained focus on the volumetric design, enhancing the building's overall aesthetic.

The Goosheha Office Building by Nazanin Gholami exemplifies how thoughtful design can overcome site constraints and regulatory challenges to create an innovative and functional architectural masterpiece. By blending traditional elements with modernist principles, this project not only respects the architectural heritage of Tehran but also sets a new standard for office building designs in urban settings.

All photographs are work of Mohammad Hassan Ettefagh