Our project located in East Azerbaijan of Iran. One of the defining characteristics of the Azerbaijan architectural prototype is its inward-oriented and introverted nature. This condition is not shaped solely by climatic requirements but is deeply rooted in cultural patterns as well. Natural geometry, center-oriented spatial organization, compact and multi-layered envelopes, the use of raw and untreated materials, and a repetitive, unified structural system form the core attributes of this architectural prototype.
Batchay is a vernacular dwelling formed through the reconstruction of a 15-square-meter house located in a summer pasture–rural area bearing the same name, approximately 25 kilometers from Tabriz. The project was conceived as a shelter for inhabitants whose lives are intermittently connected to farming and land cultivation. Designed to accommodate weekend stays for a small family, the project prioritizes flexibility, simplicity, and compatibility with local construction knowledge and materials. The approach aims to eliminate excess and unnecessary complexity, responding only to the essential needs of temporary rural habitation.
The project site covers 1,000 square meters and is bordered on three sides by neighboring plots with similar uses. A height difference of approximately three meters exists across the site, which informed the leveling strategy and spatial organization. The intervention includes the reconstruction of the existing structure, the addition of an 8-square-meter volume adjacent to it, and the reorganization of the land into cultivated plots. Most architectural interventions focused on interior reconfiguration and façade refinement.
The literal meaning of Batchay—referring to a river that has sunk into the ground—became a guiding conceptual reference. This idea led to the merging of the building’s roofline with the surrounding terrain, allowing the architecture to visually dissolve into the landscape. The most distinctive architectural intervention is the use of straw as a roof covering. Beyond improving thermal performance, straw creates a natural form and geometry that strengthens the relationship between the building and its environment.
In Azerbaijan’s cold climate, the roof is the most vulnerable building surface, subject to heat loss in winter and excessive solar gain in summer. Straw bundles significantly reduce these effects while extending the architectural language of the region. Internally, the spatial layout is organized around a central hearth, dividing the space into kitchen and living areas. Fire functions as both a climatic device and a social focal point. A vertical spatial strategy allows the space above the kitchen to be used for sleeping, benefiting from rising warm air. Walnut wood was used as the primary interior material to reinforce the tactile connection between the interior space and the surrounding natural landscape
This project was awarded First Prize by 2nd Villa Magazine Award and positioned our office among the finalists of the Memar Magazine Award 2023