In spring 2011, the design opportunity of an incomplete residential complex was proposed to our office. The project site is located in Najvan, Isfahan, on the west bank of Zayanderood River and encircled with lots of green gardens. In fact, the site is placed around the boundary of the city and gardens.
The project location is in a dead-end alley; there was a building under construction next to our building. According to municipality rules in Isfahan, there is no possibility to have openings until the height of 170 cm from the floor in each level, in order that the residents cannot see the neighbors' houses.
Additionally, the existing building was designed based on placing one unit on the northern side and the other one on the southern side. Destructing the stairs and keeping the concrete structure, we tried to place one unit on the west and the other one on the east. So, both units could use not only south and east light together, but also natural ventilation in the vicinity of green gardens.
The two adjacent buildings have small elevations. Therefore, we tried to persuade the two neighbors that we design an integrated elevation.
So, the concept of the project was formed based on these features:
• Defining an integrated cortex on the buildings, which can use view and light of the northern gardens, in addition to observing the municipality rules as well as limiting views to the northern neighbor. Furthermore, an elevation with maximum coordination with its environment was designed which can be assumed as the boundary of the city and the gardens.

• In our new definition, the elevation is not a shallow surface only. It defines a deep volume which can be an appropriate connector to attach the inner and the outer spaces of the building that can affect each other mutually. The elevation not only defines its rear spaces, but also is a part of Najvan natural facade. We designed distinct sections that each gives a new experience of view to outer spaces, keep privacy and introversion inclusively. Finally, combining these sections in diverse floors and rooms led to a dynamic cortex that is completely integrated with its environment.
The buildings were covered with a brick cortex. Then, gapping and folding the cortex resulted in different wall sections which limit the northern view to the neighbor and also rotate the direction of rear spaces to the northwestern trees which located around the existing stream near the project site.
A wooden layer with several flower boxes and semitransparent surfaces makes a little garden for every unit in different levels. The project name, Najvan Garden, came from these little gardens.
Phase 2 elevation details are prepared in a way that all the openings match the brick blocks and all of the bricks used are completely intact.
Concrete skeleton is used for the structure and each unit uses its own chiller cooling system on the roof and ceiling fan coil unit , in addition to package heating system.
The project won the second prize in 2013 national architecture awards- “Memar Prize”- in Iran.