Jey Villa
The difference between “redesign” and “design” lies in the fact that in redesign projects, not only has the physical structure of the project been established, but also the client’s mental framework, in terms of both economic and programmatic aspects, is already formed.
Therefore, finding a solution or idea that organizes the built structure according to a new definition while simultaneously aligning the client’s mindset is of utmost importance in redesign projects.
The existing condition of the project consisted of two building masses:
- The skeleton of the main building at the center of the site
- An old warehouse at the far eastern edge
The main building had a highly irregular and fragmented geometry, which was further accentuated by the 45-degree rotation of the staircase at the entrance (west side).
The old warehouse, intended by the client to become a swimming pool with its facilities, was unsuitable both structurally and in terms of dimensions and height for this use.
Thus, the main question of the project was:
How can two separate masses, with irregular geometries, heterogeneous forms, and different functions, be unified into a single house?
Concept: House-Garden Integration
Our idea was to use the site to define a garden, transforming the “house” into a “house-garden.”
In Iranian architecture, a garden responds to human needs: movement, stillness, unity, multiplicity, meaning, nature, geometry, and more.
This is achieved through a subsurface layer, which creates convergence among dispersed elements while simultaneously being influenced by them.
To redefine the house-garden typology on this site, the three main elements — house, pool, and garden — were analyzed separately.
After identifying the internal and functional requirements of each, these systems were interrelated to create a unified architectural language.
- The house skeleton required a regular, coherent geometry that would not only coordinate with the internal functions, but also respond to climatic needs and ensure privacy from neighboring plots.
- The old warehouse, to be converted into a pool, required removal of one row of structural columns and expansion of the plan dimensions.
Additionally, due to insufficient ceiling height, the floor level had to be lowered by at least 60 cm.
The garden, as the most important design element, was defined as an integrated platform, starting from the west, rising to +45 toward the south, then descending to -50 at the far eastern edge near the pool.
This created a new topography and eliminated the 135 cm height difference between the residential building and the pool level.
Garden Organization
The internal organization of the garden, in interaction with the building’s geometry, was divided into four distinct sections.
By reinterpreting elements of traditional Iranian gardens—such as planting beds (karrts), pathways, green spaces, and water features—each section was designed to maintain its own character while achieving unity with the overall garden and building.
The lines of the garden beds start in the west, continue south, and ultimately extend eastward, integrating into the pool.
The presence of water at the main entrance, the central garden, and at the eastern pool, along with the reflection of the garden in the water, and the geometric organization of the landscape, all contribute to a distinctly Iranian spirit.
Through this approach, the garden became the central, unifying element, linking and harmonizing all other components of the project.