2+1

Year:
2020
Status:
Finished
Client:
Mr Kouchaki
Location:
Khomeinishahr | Isfahan | Iran
Area:
90 m²
Category:
House
Architects:
Rasoul Nemati
Team:
Anisa Motahhar

Project Overview: 2+1 Facade Design by Roykard Architecture Studio

The 2+1 project was entrusted to Roykard Architecture Studio at its final stages for the design of its façade. However, the circumstances presented significant constraints, as there was minimal room for intervention in both the façade and the building’s structural elements. The project allowed no forward movement or volumetric production, meaning that any façade changes had to be subtle and non-intrusive. Furthermore, the walls and windows had been constructed without prior consideration for how these elements would integrate with the urban fabric or the façade’s overall design.

Design Approach: Minimal Intervention, Maximum Impact

Given these limitations, the challenge was to develop a façade design that required minimal alteration to the existing structure while still creating a visually compelling result. The key objective was to approach the façade as a “skin,” focusing on the careful manipulation of light, rhythm, and materiality. By doing so, we aimed to enhance the building’s relationship with its urban context and neighboring structures.

The design process emphasized cost efficiency, ensuring that the client’s budgetary constraints were respected. Our approach centered on preserving the structural elements that had already been completed while introducing new layers of design through a minimalist lens. The goal was not to overshadow the existing work but to complement it, allowing the building to stand harmoniously within its environment.

Facade Concept: Light, Rhythm, and Urban Integration

In the final design, we sought to redefine the role of the façade by focusing on two critical aspects: the interaction of light with the building’s interior spaces and the façade’s dialogue with its urban surroundings.

  • Light as a Design Element: One of the primary considerations was the entry and diffusion of natural light into the building. The façade was designed to allow light to penetrate the interior, enhancing the quality of the internal spaces. Through careful placement of windows and subtle alterations to the existing openings, we aimed to maximize the building’s access to natural light while ensuring privacy and comfort for the occupants.
  • Respecting the Skyline and Rhythm of the Surroundings: Another key design element was the integration of the building into its urban context. The façade respects the skyline and rhythm of neighboring buildings, ensuring that the project aligns with the visual language of its surroundings. By doing so, the façade becomes part of a broader urban tapestry, contributing to the cohesion and rhythm of the streetscape.
  • Final Outcome: A Refined, Contextual Façade

    The result is a façade that, while restrained in its execution, offers a refined and thoughtful design solution. By respecting the constraints of the existing structure and focusing on light, rhythm, and contextual sensitivity, Roykard Architecture Studio was able to deliver a design that enhances the building’s presence without overwhelming it.

    The 2+1 project serves as a case study in how architectural interventions, even when limited, can profoundly affect a building’s interaction with its environment. The façade acts as a skin that mediates between the internal spaces and the external world, allowing for a subtle yet impactful transformation. This project is a testament to the power of minimalism in architecture, where the most modest gestures can yield the most meaningful results.