Architecture of Shade

March 6, 2016 In Blog, History, News

Two Eco-dome homes found near Bam

While researching for our upcoming project located near Jiroft, we discovered two works by Nader Khalili constructed just after the devastating Bam earthquake.

Eco – Dome design by Nader Khalili – near Bam, Iran.

These two homes are built in his Eco-dome design. A method of construction called “earth-bag” construction and a form of Superadobe. Requiring no energy for compaction, such as in rammed-earth methods, this technique makes use of bags of adobe material stacked to create domes and vaults.

February 23, 2016 In Competition, Design, History, News

New Project – Golestan Museum

South of the Caspian Sea, the mountains are covered with a blanket of jungle, a natural reserve protected by UNESCO . This is the land of the wolves and leopards, once called Hyrcania by the Greeks (taken from the Darius’ Behistun inscription Verkana).

We are honored to be a taking on a new museum project in the beautiful northwestern province of Golestan! In this way, we can help contribute to the preservation of history and culture from this special region of Iran. More updates soon!

Persian Leopard in Golestan Natural Reserve – photo captured with sensor camera by the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation

February 21, 2016 In Art, History, News, Photography

Kashikari – new book on Persian Tilework

We are excited to announce that a new side-project is underway!

Eagle tile – Hasht Behesht Pavilion in Isfahan, Iran c. 1669

Due to our strong interest in the Iranian art of Kashikari (tilework) and its close relationship to traditional architecture, we are researching to produce a book on the subject.

This project will be a compilation of large scale, high resolution photos documenting the history of Iranian kashikari techniques and motifs specific to figurative and non-religious subjects used in architecture, such as nature and mythological subjects, as well as displaying the evolution of its usage over time through the descriptions and presentation of the book as a whole.

February 9, 2016 In Competition, Design, History, News

Jiroft School Project

We are excited to be participating in a new competition to build a primary school in a rural village near Jiroft, Kerman, Iran
We see it as an important opportunity to explore the deeper reaches of the local mud-brick and cob architecture. We strongly believe in indigenous architectural methods and hope to innovate on the most efficient designs to create a locally-sensitive school for a village in need.

More updates coming soon!

Ancient mud-brick technique (Adobe – ajore khashti) demonstrated in the Arg-e-Rayen, a 1000 year old citadel near the site of our project.

Adobe citadel Arg-e-Rayen and the Hezaran Mountains, Kerman