Makran Steel Factory Guesthouse

Makran, Chabahar, Iran

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Makran Steel Factory Guesthouse

Makran, Chabahar, Iran

Firm

Vahid Joudi Studio [Architecture + Design]

Type

Hospitality + Sport › Hotel

STATUS

Concept

YEAR

2024

SIZE

25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft

This project is situated on a 6,900-square-meter plot within the Makran Steel Factory site in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Given the factory's expanding zones, the need for a guesthouse for various visitors became increasingly essential.
This guesthouse is designed within this industrial complex to go beyond mere short-term lodging, offering guests a place for connection and relaxation. Facing the challenges of a hot and humid climate and located near a dynamic factory, it not only meets the lodging needs of industry professionals and managers but also provides spaces for social interactions, bridging the gap between industry and daily life.
The design emphasizes sustainable architecture principles, such as natural ventilation, to reduce energy costs and create a comfortable, climate-compatible experience. Additionally, psychological aspects of space are considered, with communal areas on the ground floor designed to minimize feelings of isolation and enhance social interaction, positively impacting guests' well-being. Together, these factors transform Makran's guesthouse into a multifaceted and unique example of industrial architecture.
Design Concepts:
1. Spatial Integration and Visual Continuity: The building’s minimalist, rectangular form with clean lines creates a straightforward, tranquil appearance that contrasts with the surrounding landscape, offering guests a sense of calm. The industrial-inspired design with minimal detailing reflects the factory’s aesthetic and the resilience of metals in a symbolic manner.
2. Central Courtyard as a Social Focal Point: The central courtyard, with its open design and vertical skylights, uses native plants to create shade and natural cooling. This semi-private space, enclosed yet peaceful, serves as a social hub, connecting walkways around it to foster interaction among staff and guests. Concrete flooring combined with local materials maintains a cool environment and establishes continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces.
3. Climate Adaptation and Sustainability: Closed façades and horizontal shading panels are implemented to reduce direct sunlight and control heat. These shades provide deep shadowing to prevent overheating of interiors, while optimizing natural ventilation, enhancing air quality, conserving energy, and preserving privacy.
4. Visual Connection with Nature: Upper floors feature wide windows that connect guests visually with the natural landscape, reducing isolation and fostering a connection with the unique surroundings. Terraces, designed with privacy principles in mind, offer semi-open spaces to relax and enjoy the view.
Adaptation to the Hot and Humid Climate
The warm and humid climate, known for high temperatures and relative humidity during hot months, requires specific design strategies to ensure thermal comfort and reduce indoor energy consumption. The Makran guesthouse addresses these challenges through natural ventilation, shading, and appropriate material selection.
1. Natural Ventilation and Cross-Airflow: The central open space functions as a vertical air channel, guiding airflow from lower to upper floors, creating a "chimney effect" that naturally moves hot air upwards, allowing cool, fresh air to flow into communal and private rooms. Semi-open walls and strategically positioned windows enable cross-airflow, preventing moisture accumulation indoors.
2. Shading and Heat Load Reduction: Horizontal shading elements prevent direct sunlight and cast a comfortable shade over windows, reducing building heat load and maintaining a balanced interior temperature. The precisely angled shading elements maximize shadow during peak sunlight hours while minimizing air humidity and airflow restriction behind the shades.
3. Climate-Compatible Materials: Materials used in façades and floors reflect heat to prevent internal temperature rise, while moisture-resistant and anti-fungal coatings are applied in areas sensitive to humidity and air accumulation to ensure durability and performance in Makran’s climate.
4. Sustainable Design Approach: These climate strategies significantly reduce the need for mechanical cooling systems, cutting energy consumption. The communal space and central courtyard act as passive ventilation systems, enhancing environmental quality and thermal comfort for guests.
Multi-Functional Communal Space on the Ground Floor
The guesthouse’s ground floor is a multi-functional space designed with an open plan centered on creating a setting for social interactions and collective activities. Known as the "gathering space," this flexible area, furnished with movable furniture and native plants, is suitable for rest, informal meetings, work sessions, and even small industrial exhibitions.
Central Courtyard as a Communication Hub
The open courtyard in the center serves as the building’s social core, encouraging interaction with direct sightlines and easy access to surrounding sections. With vertical natural lighting and native trees, it provides a calming sanctuary that improves natural airflow. This open space is the guesthouse's heart, fostering dynamic social interactions and creating a sense of community.
Climate Adaptation and Multi-Functional Design
As this guesthouse is located in a hot and humid climate, the communal space design optimizes natural ventilation, shading, and temperature control. Architectural elements like semi-open walls, shading structures, and native plants help cool the environment while serving as visual and acoustic barriers, optimizing privacy and visual comfort for users.
Opportunities for Interaction and Experience Sharing
The communal space is planned to create a warm, friendly environment for guests from different cultural and professional backgrounds to interact. As a bridge between different building sections, it allows guests to share daily interactions and personal experiences in a shared setting, fostering a sense of belonging among guests and staff.