Parental House by ZIStudio – Multigenerational Living Reimagined in Yazd’s Desert Landscape

A Contemporary Family Home Rooted in Memory and Climate-Sensitive Design

The Parental House by ZIStudio is a complete reinvention of a long-lived family home in Yazd, Iran. Designed for parents, their grown children, and grandchildren, the project transforms a beloved site into a contemporary multigenerational residence that respects cultural habits, family history, and Yazd’s unique desert climate. Rather than relocating, the family chose to rebuild in the same place, allowing the architecture to honor decades of memories while adapting to new patterns of daily life.

Project Overview: Crafting a Modern Sanctuary in Yazd

Located in one of Iran’s most historically rich and environmentally extreme cities, the 704 m² residence merges tradition with modern living. Led by architects Nasrin Nabi and Shohreh Arabzade, ZIStudio shaped a home that balances privacy, convenience, and social interaction through a thoughtful mix of courtyards, fluid circulation, and climate-responsive materials.

The design responds not only to the physical context but also to the evolving needs of a growing family—ensuring comfort for aging parents and creating adaptable spaces for gatherings, grandchildren, and everyday living.

Design Intent: Understanding Family Behavior to Shape Space

The architects began by analyzing the old home’s spatial logic and identifying the reasons behind family habits. Why was the kitchen enclosed far from the social areas? Why did the greenhouse-like living room lack access to open space? Why was the guest room large yet rarely used? These questions became the foundation of the new design.

Instead of replicating familiar layouts, the new home restructures them—transforming closed spaces into open, connected zones while maintaining the privacy so essential to traditional family life in Yazd.

A Single-Level Ground Floor Designed for Ease and Connection

One of the project’s main design strategies was to allocate the family's daily functions to a single-level ground floor. This approach provides:

• Effortless movement for the parents
• Seamless indoor–outdoor connections
• Convenient access to living rooms, bedrooms, and social spaces
• A clear organization around climate-friendly courtyards

The architects created multiple courtyards, each with different atmospheres and uses. These courtyards control sunlight, improve ventilation, and act as extensions of interior rooms—making seasonal living flexible and comfortable.

Basement Level: Practical, Functional, and Climate-Appropriate

The basement includes:

• A private one-bedroom unit
• Parking and storage
• Mechanical spaces

To maintain the purity of the main level’s layout, the basement stairs were positioned inside one of the inner courtyards. This location ensures natural light and openness rather than forcing the stairs into a dark corner of the house.

The roof staircase was moved outside entirely, becoming an expressive design element in the façade instead of an unused, enclosed stairwell.

Courtyard Typologies Inspired by Yazd’s Architectural Heritage

Inner courtyards have been an essential feature of Yazd’s architecture for centuries—providing cooling, airflow, shade, and privacy in harsh desert conditions. ZIStudio reinterprets this vernacular wisdom for a modern household.

At the heart of the house, a roof opening and flowerbox mark the location of the former greenhouse. This new vertical void brings natural light deep into the interior, symbolizing a bridge between past and present while enriching the home’s spatial layering.

Material Palette and Façade: Brick as Climate and Identity

The home features a brick façade designed for both performance and aesthetics:

• Deep-set windows provide natural shading
• Brick textures help cool the building envelope
• The façade creates a timeless, regionally rooted expression
• Openings are sculpted to capture light while reducing heat

This combination of brick and recessed geometry reinforces Yazd’s architectural identity while meeting contemporary energy needs.

Spatial Transformation: From Enclosed Rooms to Fluid Living

The primary architectural achievement of Parental House is its shift from closed, separated rooms to fluid, interconnected spaces. Without compromising privacy, ZIStudio created a continuous environment where:

• Living areas flow effortlessly into courtyards
• Light penetrates deeply into the home
• Social and private spaces coexist comfortably
• Every zone benefits from cross-ventilation and outdoor access

This fluidity enhances family life, encourages interaction, and creates moments of calm through visual and spatial openness.

All photographs are works of Khatere Eshqi