Pigeon House by Dakhmeh Studio: Sustainable Renovation and Adaptive Reuse in Tehran

Pigeon House, designed by Dakhmeh Studio, is a thoughtfully renovated three-story residential building with a basement, courtyard, and rooftop caretaker's room, situated in northern Tehran. The renovation project embodies sustainable design principles, emphasizing the use of recycled materials, scrap resources, and cost-effective construction methods while engaging unskilled labor for implementation.

Sustainable Design and Material Reuse

The design approach prioritizes the reuse of metal scraps, recycled wooden pallets, and affordable local resources, minimizing construction costs without compromising quality. Inside the units, untreated wood and iron were used to create neutral, adaptable spaces. This strategy allows residents to personalize interiors with their own creative touches while benefiting from highly durable materials that reduce long-term maintenance costs and wear.

Ceilings were carefully re-layered and re-concreted, ensuring structural integrity, while the flooring features Russian wood planks screwed onto an iron profile structure. These planks are removable, enabling easy access for electrical wiring and utilities beneath, reflecting a practical and sustainable approach to interior design.

Expansion and Functional Improvements

The renovation added three key spaces to enhance livability:

1. Southern Facade with Balcony: The southern facade was extended, adding full-length balconies for every floor. Metal panels, covered with recycled tin sheets from a Pahlavi-era building, provide shading, privacy, and a second layer of security. These tin sheets, preserved in their weathered, rusted form, create a visually striking texture and connect the building organically to Tehran's historic identity. Potted plants integrated along the balcony further reinforce this natural connection.
2. Basement Expansion: The basement, originally 30 m², was expanded to 50 m² by excavating towards the courtyard. This space now functions as a livable unit complete with natural light, a bathroom, toilet, and compact kitchen, transforming what was once storage into a vibrant residential area.
3. Rooftop Caretaker Quarters: The rooftop was extended to accommodate living quarters for the caretaker, maximizing usable space while maintaining privacy and functionality.

Architectural Details and Heritage Preservation

The exterior carefully balances modern interventions with historical preservation. The original iron entrance door, featuring floral motifs, remains intact, honoring the building’s era. Brick facades were repaired, and three hollow metal volumes were incorporated between the bricks to serve as nesting spaces for pigeons, an homage to the building’s name and local culture.

All photographs are works of Deed Studio