Darvish Residence

Nur, Iran

The base of this house in a resort town is elevated, to raise it above the walls of the neighbouring buildings and re-establish contact with nature so 'when you go out of the living room and stand in the yard you can have the horizon and the sunset and the magic [sea] breeze'. The three-storey house has two roof gardens, a courtyard garden and a front garden from which to savour the view. Its metal structure is earthquake-resistant. All other materials are local: the walls are cement block, finished with coloured render. Internal finishes incorporate timber from this part of northern Iran.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture