THE AFSHARIAN’S HOME IS DESIGNED TO GROW VERTICALLY

A single-family home in Iran that is meant to transform into an apartment building

Architecture as often defined as something fixed and inflexible. It is preserved or it is knocked down, but an existing building is not always conceived to evolve. The Afsharian’s House in Kermanshah, Iran, is specifically designed with a future evolution in mind.

When conceiving the three-storey family home, Tehran-based multidisciplinary studio ReNa Design knew that the clients intended to eventually provide a separate home for each of their children. Thus, the designers created a house that will easily evolve, transforming from a single-family residence into a five-storey apartment building.

Essential to the plan was a flexible layout and facade. The facade is divided in two as if fractured in an architectural topography that resembles a hidden cave. It is designed to be easily mirrored on the upper levels, continuing the bright contrast of a white slash against wood cladding. It also contributes to the easy division of space on the upper levels, making it convenient for expansion.

In order to maintain the Iranian tradition of respecting those that pass by, the building protrudes slightly, setting the ground floor back from the side walk. The resulting open space is turned into a public green, while the dynamic shape also draws observers into an open dialogue as a visible landmark in the neighborhood.