OUD'LAJAN RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX

This project "OUD'LAJAN RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX" focuses on creating prefabricated, compact, and modular housing solutions that are not only affordable but also prioritize efficiency, sustainability, and modern design principles. Designed to cater to the greatest number of people, these housing units provide essential living needs while also enhancing spatial quality through optimization, customization, and sustainable practices.

Objectives & Design Principles

• Modular Architecture: The units are designed as modular structures, allowing different occupancy types and space optimization.
• Sustainability: The design maximizes natural lighting and ventilation, reducing energy consumption and enhancing eco-friendliness.
• Renovation & Urban Regeneration: The project revitalizes worn-out urban textures, transforming neglected spaces into thriving residential areas.
• Enhancement of Social Life: Spaces are designed to encourage community interaction, fostering social connectivity through shared plazas and cultural gathering points.
• Barrier-Free & Accessible Design: The project ensures inclusivity, making spaces accessible to people with disabilities by eliminating physical barriers.
• Off-the-Grid Features: Designed for self-sufficiency, the complex integrates renewable energy, water recycling systems, and green spaces to create a sustainable living environment.

Case Study & Concept Inspiration

Inspired by the Kafka Castle by Ricardo Bofill and Persian architectural elements, the project embodies a fusion of historical motifs and modern sustainable design. Features such as wind towers, Persian arches, and courtyards contribute to climate-responsive architecture, ensuring comfort and efficiency.

Site Study & Development

Located in the historic urban fabric of Tehran, Iran, the site benefits from strategic orientation to maximize natural light and minimize energy waste. The design incorporates:

• Public Green Areas: Integrating greenery to enhance urban biodiversity and provide recreational spaces.
• Efficient Spatial Planning: A modular system that allows easy expansion and reconfiguration based on evolving housing needs.
• Vertical Circulation: Prefabricated columns ensure seamless expansion of the structure, optimizing circulation across multiple levels.

Interior & Structural Design

The interiors feature modular furniture, adaptable layouts, and smart use of space to accommodate diverse living requirements. The structure follows a tunneling construction method, reducing waste and enhancing efficiency in assembly.

Awards & Recognition

This People’s Choice Award entry for the Plugin Housing Challenge 2020 showcases the collaborative effort of architects Sara Maleki, Mohammad Ali Izadi, and Kurosh M. Ali Zahaki, pushing the boundaries of sustainable modular architecture to redefine urban living.