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Hussainia of Madarjoon
Hussainia of Madarjoon
Yazd, Iran
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Hussainia of Madarjoon
Yazd, Iran
Located in the Emam Shahr neighborhood of Yazd, Iran, Hussainia of Madarjoon is a compact cultural-religious building that draws inspiration from the city’s vernacular Hussainias. Designed within a 10 x 18 meter plot and accessed via a narrow 3-meter-wide alley, the project reinterprets centuries-old spatial and symbolic traditions within a dense urban setting.
At its core lies a two-level, 10 x 12 meter central courtyard that functions as the primary space for religious gatherings. Informed by historical typologies, the lower level is dedicated to men and the upper level to women, who observe ceremonies from above, a spatial practice rooted in Yazd’s traditional Hussainias. This dual-level arrangement is visually unified through a central void framed by arches and crowned with a dome. A circular skylight at the dome’s apex, along with clerestory windows, not only illuminates the interior but also enhances the experience of verticality, evoking a sense of spiritual ascension.
Key Concepts and Inspiration
The project’s architectural language is shaped by both memory and material. It honors the historic layering of Yazd’s built environment while addressing the community’s need for a modest, respectful, and functional gathering space. Rather than imposing novelty, the design quietly reinterprets local traditions: the dome as a marker of spiritual focus, the courtyard as a shared void, and the brick-and-tile palette as an anchor to place.
Spatial Configuration
The building is organized across four levels. The ground floor hosts the main men’s gathering space, with a southeastern entrance flanked by ancillary zones such as pantry, and shoe storage, arranged along a 2-meter strip to buffer the main hall from circulation. The first floor houses the women’s hall, complete with its own shoe storage, closet, and lavabo. The basement accommodates shared service areas, including a kitchen, restrooms, and mechanical room. The janitor’s unit is placed on the rooftop.
This vertical distribution addresses the tight urban footprint while preserving gender-based spatial traditions. The clear separation of functions also allows for efficient ventilation and circulation.
Challenges and Design Solutions
The primary challenge was achieving adequate daylight and ventilation within a landlocked urban site. With minimal side access, the design incorporates skylights, a dome oculus, and high-level clerestory windows to introduce natural light without compromising privacy.
Also, the Qibla direction, traditionally marked by a mihrab in mosques, is subtly indicated through a hidden skylight behind the Qibla arch. This approach maintains the spatial orientation without unnecessary ornamentation.
Construction Techniques and Materials
Built using reinforced concrete, the structure is clad in traditional brick and local plaster. To maintain thermal comfort in Yazd’s hot-arid climate, the design integrates passive strategies: cross ventilation via skylights, recessed windows, and thick envelope walls.
The façade and entrance are accented with blue tile, used sparingly but symbolically, to mark transition and sanctity. A perforated brick screen in the women’s lavabo ensures privacy while allowing filtered daylight. This screen, crafted with brick reliefs, maintains continuity with the wall’s surface and preserves the monolithic quality of the envelope.
At its core lies a two-level, 10 x 12 meter central courtyard that functions as the primary space for religious gatherings. Informed by historical typologies, the lower level is dedicated to men and the upper level to women, who observe ceremonies from above, a spatial practice rooted in Yazd’s traditional Hussainias. This dual-level arrangement is visually unified through a central void framed by arches and crowned with a dome. A circular skylight at the dome’s apex, along with clerestory windows, not only illuminates the interior but also enhances the experience of verticality, evoking a sense of spiritual ascension.
Key Concepts and Inspiration
The project’s architectural language is shaped by both memory and material. It honors the historic layering of Yazd’s built environment while addressing the community’s need for a modest, respectful, and functional gathering space. Rather than imposing novelty, the design quietly reinterprets local traditions: the dome as a marker of spiritual focus, the courtyard as a shared void, and the brick-and-tile palette as an anchor to place.
Spatial Configuration
The building is organized across four levels. The ground floor hosts the main men’s gathering space, with a southeastern entrance flanked by ancillary zones such as pantry, and shoe storage, arranged along a 2-meter strip to buffer the main hall from circulation. The first floor houses the women’s hall, complete with its own shoe storage, closet, and lavabo. The basement accommodates shared service areas, including a kitchen, restrooms, and mechanical room. The janitor’s unit is placed on the rooftop.
This vertical distribution addresses the tight urban footprint while preserving gender-based spatial traditions. The clear separation of functions also allows for efficient ventilation and circulation.
Challenges and Design Solutions
The primary challenge was achieving adequate daylight and ventilation within a landlocked urban site. With minimal side access, the design incorporates skylights, a dome oculus, and high-level clerestory windows to introduce natural light without compromising privacy.
Also, the Qibla direction, traditionally marked by a mihrab in mosques, is subtly indicated through a hidden skylight behind the Qibla arch. This approach maintains the spatial orientation without unnecessary ornamentation.
Construction Techniques and Materials
Built using reinforced concrete, the structure is clad in traditional brick and local plaster. To maintain thermal comfort in Yazd’s hot-arid climate, the design integrates passive strategies: cross ventilation via skylights, recessed windows, and thick envelope walls.
The façade and entrance are accented with blue tile, used sparingly but symbolically, to mark transition and sanctity. A perforated brick screen in the women’s lavabo ensures privacy while allowing filtered daylight. This screen, crafted with brick reliefs, maintains continuity with the wall’s surface and preserves the monolithic quality of the envelope.
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