This cultural-recreational complex, located on approximately 4 hectares of land, adjacent to the main urban highway entering the city of Shiraz, had several significant aspects for us. Firstly, it was situated close to a city rich in historical and cultural heritage, where leisure activities and spending time in nature, are important for both the collective and individual character of its citizens. On the other hand, its geography posed a challenge due to its desert and sun-drenched climate, conflicting with this desire. Furthermore, its diverse and extensive program required a considerable area of construction, which was inconsistent with its pristine background.

Based on finding suitable solutions and minimizing manipulation in the context, we concluded that we should benefit from the architectural background and natural capacities of the region. As a result, the overall design approach was based on defining a type of urban fabric with repeatable and expandable components, taking advantage of the site’s height differences to create shaded courtyards and combine similar programs with each other.

By delving into the authentic architecture of Shiraz, we identified two fundamental elements, the grand bazaar, and the central courtyard, in organizing the urban space. As a result, the pattern of the bazaar and its covered corridors become the defining framework of the complex, combined with the contemporary concept of a pedestrian promenade. The perpendicular axes of this complex were created longitudinally and transversely, enhancing legibility and organizing the adjacent functions, while introducing various facilities to the users. At the intersection of these two axes, the expansive public plaza, accompanied by an outdoor amphitheater was defined, to continuously serve as a social space throughout the year catering to both the city and the complex itself for interaction, hosting events, exhibitions, and diverse ceremonial activities.

The next step involved dividing the land into different elevation layers and placing programmatic units among them. This approach allowed for the creation of different platforms aligned with the topography. In addition to enabling the reception of natural light and visual extension on each platform, the ceiling of each level could be considered the courtyard of the next one. In other words, more public spaces were provided for visitors, and the physical structures of the buildings were hidden in the ground. This merging of the buildings with the site not only contributed to economic efficiency but also aided in the feasibility of the project. It established a balance between cut and fill during the construction phase and effectively saved energy while utilizing the thermal capacity of the ground during the use.

The project consists of three major parts: the urban zone along the eastern highway, encompassing the restaurant section; the southern public zone along the main axis; and finally, the private zone, which includes residential spaces with a focus on maximum distance from the urban noise pollution and the utilization of the surrounding natural landscape.

The diagram, filled with voids and central courtyards in the plan, directs the overall orientation of each building inwards, while the components have both inward and outward. These porous levels, while controlling intense sunlight and defining shaded semi-open spaces, present various aspects of green spaces such as sunken courtyards, gardens, and roof gardens, creating an active and multi-layered section. The diversity of access not only increases permeability but also provides the opportunity for users to rediscover and explore micro spaces through movement scenarios.

In the facade, minimum openings and the use of earthy materials are employed to control thermal changes. This approach not only ensures cost-effectiveness and ease of constructing curved forms but also creates a cohesive and harmonious integration with the surrounding environment.

The embedded skylights in the roof have a simultaneous and multi-functional impact on the project’s form. Firstly, they serve as a covering for stair entry and elevator service areas. Secondly, they provide access to observation decks facing the main plaza. Additionally, they improve the quality of elevated interior spaces by introducing natural light or facilitating natural ventilation. Finally, they create a diverse skyline, which not only adds an iconic quality to the project but also reminisces about the traditional fabric of Iranian cities, sometimes referred to as the ‘Thickened Earth’.