Voids Villa: A Sculptural Home of Light, Courtyards, and Spatial Discovery by AsNow Design & Construct

Located in Kuhsar on the outskirts of Tehran, Voids Villa by AsNow Design & Construct redefines contemporary residential architecture through a bold interplay of solid and void. Designed by lead architects Solmaz Tatari and Ehsan Tavassoli, the 540 m² villa explores how courtyards, terraces, and multi-level voids can transform a home into a living, breathing experience of light, movement, and discovery.

A New Architectural Language for Tehran’s Outskirts

The rapid development of villas outside Tehran is not merely a retreat from urban density—it reflects a growing cultural shift toward leisure, community, and experiential living. Voids Villa responds to this demand by creating a home that is both sculptural and sensorial. Rather than presenting static rooms, the architecture invites residents to wander, explore, climb, and engage with a constantly shifting spatial narrative.

At its core, the project uses voids as active architectural elements. These carved-out spaces—courtyards, terraces, atriums, and vertical shafts—blend indoor and outdoor life while shaping light, circulation, and atmosphere. The villa becomes a stage where perspectives change with each step, and unexpected spatial moments trigger curiosity.

A Dynamic Balance Between Extroversion and Introversion

The site condition played a key role in shaping the architectural typology. With open views to the north and west, and potential future neighbors to the east and south, the design adopts a combined extroverted–introverted approach:

• North courtyard: expansive, open, and transparent, revealing a welcoming facade upon entry.
• South courtyard: compact and intimate, filled with light shafts that carve small but dramatic interior spaces.

This duality creates a multi-layered experience—light-filled public zones on one side, and sheltered private corners on the other.

The Central Courtyard: A Living Heart Connecting All Levels

At the center of the home lies a semi-central courtyard, functioning as a vertical trunk that links all three floors. This courtyard is surrounded by covered and open voids, creating continuity between the basement, ground floor, and first floor.

A significant moment in this space is the presence of a carefully preserved old tree, replanted as a living timekeeper. As it grows, it gradually reshapes the interior atmosphere, reminding residents of the passage of time and the evolving relationship between architecture and nature.

Light penetrates deep into the basement through this courtyard, transforming typically dark underground spaces into bright, breathable environments.

Suspended Volumes and Fluid Circulation

Voids Villa seeks to elevate the building from its surroundings—both literally and visually. Its placement on the site aims to suspend the cubic volume, creating a subtle separation from the ground plane and enhancing its sculptural form.

A long latticed stair and seating area establish a minimal yet striking connection between the building and the northern courtyard. This element encourages movement, offering a serene place to observe the playground and landscape while experiencing a shift in elevation, scale, and framing of views.

Circulation throughout the residence is intentionally diverse. Vertical and horizontal pathways weave through and around the voids, encouraging exploration:

• Stairs that climb exterior spaces
• Passages that skirt courtyards
• Terraces at multiple levels
• Bridges overlooking double-height volumes

This results in a home that supports leisurely wandering—an architecture meant to be experienced, not just inhabited.

Spatial Organization: Leisure, Living, Privacy

While the program follows a traditional layout, the voids subvert the typical experience:

• Basement – Designed for leisure and recreation
• Ground floor – Main living and social areas
• First floor – Private bedrooms and nighttime spaces

Unlike conventional homes, these floors remain visually and atmospherically connected through interlocking voids. Rooms become "islands," each shaped by the brick-lined emptiness around them. The brick acts as a warm, grounding material, contrasting with the lightness of the white solid masses.

This duality—light solids vs. heavy voids—defines the home’s identity.

Courtyards and Terraces: Reconnecting Residents with Nature

Throughout the villa, a network of courtyards, terraces, and semi-open spaces supports the natural human desire for openness, fresh air, and connection to nature. In Tehran’s periphery—where the environment is quieter, cleaner, and more inviting—these spaces play an essential role.

Whether used for relaxation, gatherings, quiet reflection, or movement between levels, each terrace contributes to a lifestyle rooted in wellness, outdoor living, and sensory richness. Select an Image