Soup Chi Restaurant by H.O.M Design and Construction Company

Located at the beginning of Sattar Khan Street near Tohid Square in Tehran, Soup Chi Restaurant is a compact yet conceptually rich adaptive reuse project by H.O.M Design and Construction Company. Designed within a 90-square-meter footprint, the restaurant transforms a 40-year-old commercial building into a contemporary dining space by embracing, rather than concealing, the architectural constraints of the existing structure.

The original building presented several critical challenges that significantly influenced the design process. One of the most dominant issues was a metal column positioned directly along the central axis of the plan, extending from the main façade deep into the interior. This structural intrusion disrupted spatial continuity, limited layout flexibility, and weakened the visual relationship between the façade and the interior. In addition, outdated construction regulations from four decades ago had allowed a 1.5-meter cantilever on the upper floors toward the street, leaving the ground floor recessed. As a result, the commercial frontage suffered from a shallow alcove, split levels, and a fragmented perspective that diminished its urban presence.

Rather than attempting to mask these deficiencies, the architects adopted a strategic design approach that reframed structural and regulatory limitations as spatial opportunities. The central column, initially perceived as a flaw, became a defining architectural element around which circulation, seating, and visual alignment were reorganized. This decision helped establish a clear spatial rhythm and provided an anchor for the interior composition.

The recessed façade was similarly reinterpreted. By carefully manipulating depth, openings, and material transitions, the design strengthens the visual identity of the restaurant while improving its engagement with the street. Large glazed openings enhance transparency, drawing natural light into the interior and establishing a stronger dialogue between indoor activity and the surrounding urban context. The previously weak perspective is transformed into a layered spatial experience that unfolds gradually from the entrance inward.

Inside, the restaurant’s architecture balances intimacy with openness. Arched elements, controlled sightlines, and warm material choices soften the rigid geometry of the existing structure, creating a welcoming atmosphere suited to a neighborhood dining space. The compact plan is efficiently organized to accommodate seating, service areas, and circulation without visual congestion, reinforcing the sense of spatial clarity despite the limited area.

All photographs are works of  Farzad Bagherzadeh