Namak-Abrood Residential Tower

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Namak-Abrood Residential Tower

Firm

MARZ design and architecture

Type

Residential › Apartment

STATUS

Concept

SIZE

100,000 sqft - 300,000 sqft

Namak-Abrud Residential Tower

The interlocking of maisonette apartments was a core design concept by MARZ for achieving the widest visual range in the Namak-Abrud residential tower. This rotating tower is situated in the verdant strip on the northern side of the Alborz Mountains, where the foothills are closest to the sea.
Interlocking floors in residential towers is not a novel concept; it was famously utilized by Le Corbusier in his Unité d’Habitation project to minimize corridors and enhance cross-ventilation, and by Charles Correa in the Kanchenjunga building to shield interiors from harsh light and monsoon rains while leveraging sea views and breezes. In this context, MARZ employs this methodology to optimize panoramic vistas in the Namak-Abrud Tower.
This residential tower adopts a radial-circular configuration, rotating around a central axis to maximize the sweeping views facilitated by the interlocking residential units. The primary repetitive element is a disk; each disk rotates 60 degrees relative to the one below it around the vertical core, forming a cloverleaf pattern. Gathering spaces for each unit are positioned on sections of the lower disk, while private rooms are situated on the upper disk, rotating in the opposite direction. This design ensures that each maisonette is rotated 180 degrees, providing residents with uninterrupted views of the mountains, sea, and forest.
The gaps between the disks create extensive terraces, with their confinement between two disks preventing direct access or views into other units. These terraces are visually linked by narrow strips at their edges, ensuring that the floor slabs are perceived as an integrated whole rather than separate horizontal layers. The tower's vertical formation appears continuous and dynamic, reminiscent of a tornado’s swirling trace through space.
Maximizing views in each residential unit is crucial to capitalize on the unique geographical positioning of the Namak-Abrud region, nestled between the Caspian Sea to the north and the Alborz Mountains to the south. The proximity of the 1000-meter-high Alborz Mountains to the Caspian Sea creates a distinctive microclimate with humid, temperate conditions. In some areas, the distance between the mountains and the sea is as little as one kilometer, giving the impression that the Alborz descends directly into the sea. This rare climate, covering only about ten percent of Iran, provides an exceptional setting just a two-hour drive from the arid central plateau and the capital city.
Given the region’s allure, Namak-Abrud is a sought-after vacation destination. Local building regulations stipulate that the buildable area on a 51-meter by 26-meter plot is 100% in the basement levels and 30% on the ground floor. The client’s brief called for two basement levels and 15 residential floors. The designed complex features 21 single apartments of 110, 125, and 160 square meters, and 12 maisonettes of 250 and 280 square meters. The rooftop houses communal amenities, including a swimming pool and public spaces, ensuring both private luxury and communal interaction within this innovative architectural landmark.