Architectural Design Competition for the Guilan Engineering Organization’s Office-Commercial Building|  Second Prize

Project Overview

Location: Shahid Ansari Boulevard, Rasht, Iran

Client: Cooperative of the Guilan Province Engineering Organization

Program: Mixed-use(commercial ground floor, office spaces above)

Floors: 7 total (2 basement levels, ground floor retail, 4 upper office floors)

Competition Date: January 2024

Design Team

Rymast Design Group | Amirhossein Janzadeh, Madihe Moradnia, Amirbahador Baradaran

Conceptual Approach

This project seeks to articulate a contemporary expression of Iranian architectural identity through the language of façade design. Drawing from archetypal forms and vernacular patterns- particularly vertical and arched motifs-it crafts a composition that embodies rhythm, repetition, enclosure, and openness.

The design balances dichotomies: stillness and movement, unity and diversity, nostalgia and modernity. Vertical elements inspired by traditional Iranian structures extend the façade in a cohesive, upward rhythm. Simultaneously, modular brick arches introduce a softer, more inviting gesture. This interplay evokes collective memory while resonating with the architectural heritage and climate of Guilan, offering a façade that feels both rooted and relevant.

Design Strategy & Environmental Responsiveness

Layering-both spatial and functional-is central to the façade’s response to climate and programmatic needs:

• A secondary brick skin acts as a passive environmental filter, reducing solar gain, enabling natural ventilation, and creating shaded zones.
• Modular brick arches, derived from local architectural heritage, blend nostalgic form with climate-adaptive performance.
• Vertical drainage channels guide rainwater to integrated greenery, minimizing façade erosion and maintaining material integrity.
• Green pockets embedded within the façade contribute to air purification, thermal comfort, and psychological well-being.
• Low-E double-glazed windows ensure thermal efficiency while maximizing natural light for interior office spaces.

Controlled transparency offers daylight access and visual connection to the outside, without compromising user comfort or privacy.

Construction Detailing

Façade detailing was developed with an emphasis on simplicity, durability, and economy:

A three-layered system comprises a reinforced concrete structure, lightweight metal subframe, and modular arched brick cladding-allowing for ease of maintenance and selective replacement.

Dry-mounting techniques enable clean, efficient, and reversible installation of the brick modules.

• Industrialized fabrication: arches are pre-fabricated using custom molds for geometric precision and faster site execution.
• Maintenance infrastructure includes concealed access paths for irrigation, surface cleaning, and long-term upkeep.
• Locally appropriate materials-traditional northern brick, galvanized steel profiles, and high-performance glazing-ensure harmony with Guilan’s humid climate and architectural character.

Conclusion

This project offers a thoughtful synthesis of cultural memory, climatic intelligence, and contemporary building practice. The façade serves not merely as a visual envelope, but as a performative skin-moderating environmental conditions while embodying a sense of place and identity.

Securing second place in the competition attests to the project’s ability to translate architectural narrative into an executable, contextually grounded solution-contributing meaningfully to Rasht’s evolving urban landscape.