Orsi Khaneh Residential Apartment in Tehran, has won a bronze A’Design award in the category of Architecture, Building and Structure Design, 2015-2016.

Brothers Nima and Sina Keivani based the design of the seven-storey block on elements commonly found in traditional Iranian architecture. The architects particularly wanted to reinterpret the orsi window, a type of sash window with latticed woodwork and coloured glass typically used to help reduce sunlight and heat, and repel insects in the hot climate. This inspired the project name Orsi Khaneh.

The street-facing facade is made from a double layer of heat-treated timber, inset with panes of stained glass and planting that not only serve as a decorative element but also help to control temperature. Matching slatted sunshades can be raised over the windows to provide further control of sunlight.

The appearance is in part inspired by a pair of historic residences with intricately moulded and patterned facades – Borujerdi’s House and Tabatabaei’s House, located in the Iranian city of Kashan.

Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects) Orsi Khaneh by Keivani Architects in Tehran, Iran (Photo credit: Keivani Architects)

At the back of the building, recessed balconies overlooking a small ramped courtyard are framed in the same pale stonework. The courtyard provides access to underground parking and is decorated with mosaics that form grassy patterns. Wooden flower boxes are mounted on the walls surrounding it as well as sections of the facade, hinting at the vegetated roof terrace, which features manicured flower beds, an outdoor fireplace and a gazebo.

The building was designed in June 2013 and the construction works finished in September 2015 in Tehran.

Project credits:

Architect in charge and supervisor: Nima Keivani / Architect in charge: Sina Keivani

Client: Amir Abbas Taheri / Contractor: Mohammad Mashuf

Design associates: Ladan Mostofi, Akbar Khalaj

Architectural theory consultant: Alireza Kharazmi Nezhad

Ideogram: Maryam Sarshar / Mechanical consultant: Mehdi Bazargahi

Sources: dezeen.com, The Building Centre, iranian-architect.ir, A’ Design Award (interview), Wikipedia | Orsi window (in Persian), worldarchitecture.org, inhabitat.com