Villa No.1

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Villa No.1 is composed of two L-shaped cubes on the ground and first floors that have been rotated around a single point. The result of this rotation creates voids and filled spaces, maximizing the use of natural light and fresh air. 

Additionally, these voids and filled spaces provide the necessary excitement for the house. The combination of this excitement with deliberately organic materials and neutral colors used both inside and outside the home creates a balanced environment.
Ultimately, these voids and filled spaces fully preserve the privacy of the house from external view, while not restricting the view from inside the house to the surrounding outdoor area.

Presenting an idea is more important than the idea itself. This is precisely what happened with “Coffit,” and even its name reflects part of the design process. Not only is the name a combination of “coffee” and “fitness,” but in Persian, it also means “your coffee.” Coffit is a café located in a northern city of Iran, where many cafés already exist, making competition tough. The owner’s idea was to offer homemade natural syrups, particularly aimed at those interested in healthier dietary choices, especially concerning sugar alternatives. With few such options available on traditional café menus, Coffit was born.

However, two main challenges shaped the design: the café’s limited space and the presence of an unremovable terrace, further reducing the usable area.

The solution to these constraints lay in efficient space organization. To present the idea of “homemade syrups with stevia,” a wine wall was created, but instead of wine, it showcased the syrups. This not only effectively presented the concept but also added an aesthetic element to the space. Positioned at the entrance and facing the windows, the wine wall is visible not only to customers upon entering but also to passersby on the main street, without compromising the café’s cozy atmosphere.

Finally, a mirror was placed in an area that couldn’t accommodate tables or chairs, encouraging customers to take photos. The mirror faces the showcase of the café’s daily-baked diet cakes, and the placement ensures that the other seating areas are not reflected, adding a touch of privacy while enhancing the visual appeal.

The goal of this project was to incorporate a cabana, fire pit, pool, and outdoor shower into the design. However, fitting these features within a long rectangular lot posed a challenge. Nearly half of the property, like the neighboring lots, was restricted by Texas state laws, as it belonged to the city and could not be developed. As a result, all these features had to be placed in the remaining portion of the lot, adjacent to the house, while maintaining both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

The design process began with a small extension from the first floor, which extended to the boundary of the city’s restricted area. This extension became the foundation for integrating all the mentioned features. Accessibility from both the house and the cabana to the fire pit and pool played a key role in the spatial arrangement. At the far end of the pool, a wall was installed, which not only provided a scenic view from the fire pit and cabana through its waterfall feature and concealed lighting but also housed the outdoor shower behind it. This solution ensured easy access, optimized space for the shower, and kept it hidden from the view of other areas.

 Next Chapter is the renovation of the entrance and front yard of a lovely family’s home. They were not looking for a drastic transformation but rather a thoughtful update—a reflection of a "new chapter" in their home, not a brand-new story. Their inspiration came from their neighbor’s house and its modern design after renovation.

The family aimed to integrate modern design elements into their home, which is characteristically a late 90’s style. The goal was to create a balance between the house’s original design and the newly modernized elements through intentional contrast. Features like the garage entrance, which is directly connected to the main structure, were approached more conservatively, while independent areas such as the backyard entrance were designed with bolder, more daring elements.

To unify the updated elements with the house’s original structure, darker tones were used for the newly designed sections. This choice allowed the modern additions to harmonize with the house’s brickwork and white-framed windows, limiting their visual dominance. Otherwise, the new elements might have drawn more attention to themselves rather than complementing the house as a whole.