Grapevine Residences by Barsav Architecture Office: A Contemporary Residential Renewal in Mashhad

Architects: Barsav Architecture Office

Located in the historic MAJD neighborhood, District No. 2 of Mashhad Municipality, Grapevine Residences stands on a site steeped in cultural and organic heritage. The MAJD neighborhood, with a century-long history, has been shaped by traditional garden houses, fruit orchards, and grapevines for over 400 years. Its non-linear streets accommodate centuries-old trees, creating an organically developed urban fabric that remains a testament to Mashhad’s traditional residential life.

Unlike other parts of the city, MAJD retains a relatively low construction density, with older families maintaining close proximity to one another. This continuity has fostered strong neighborhood relations and a deep sense of belonging, which became a central inspiration for Barsav Architecture Office in conceptualizing the Grapevine Residences project.

Designing for Lifestyle and Legacy

The client, an established resident of MAJD and owner of a local gold shop, was motivated to continue living in the neighborhood due to her personal and professional ties. The original brief envisioned a six-story building: one floor for personal residence, and the remaining floors as rental apartments.

After detailed site studies and lifestyle discussions, the architects proposed a two-story residential duplex on the upper floors. This design decision allowed for optimal privacy, superior visibility, and the inclusion of a roof garden, reinterpreting the feel of a traditional courtyard home in a contemporary apartment context.

A Sense of Belonging Through Design

Barsav Architecture Office approached the project with a dual focus: creating a high-quality personal residence while enhancing the sense of community and memory for neighborhood residents. The design celebrates local heritage through a grape motif, recalling the vanished gardens and grapevines that once defined the MAJD streetscape. This element connects past memories to the present, transforming the building into a living tribute to the neighborhood’s legacy.

Flexibility and multifunctionality were key principles. Single-unit floors incorporate adaptable spaces, while terraces act as intermediate zones, providing privacy for kitchen areas and enriching the spatial depth with semi-open living areas.

Materiality and Architectural Expression

The façade and interior design emphasize a harmonious balance between elegance and functionality. Carefully selected materials and natural light accentuate the architectural forms, highlighting windows, doors, and open spaces that foster a connection between the residents and their urban environment. The roof garden atop the duplex reinforces this link, providing an urban oasis that resonates with the neighborhood’s historic gardens.

Grapevine Residences exemplifies a sensitive approach to residential renovation and urban heritage preservation. By integrating modern living requirements with historical context, Barsav Architecture Office has created a building that is both a private residence and a communal memory marker. The project celebrates Mashhad’s traditional residential life while introducing contemporary design strategies that respect and enhance the cultural fabric of the MAJD neighborhood.

All photographs are works of Diman Studio, Dayan Mazraei