Amir Abbas Aboutalebi interviewed by RIBA winner and RIBA local ambassador Hooman Balazadeh

Date: 13/09/2024
Edited by: Editorial Board
Conducted by: Hooman Balazadeh
Published on: Villa Magazine 
Photo Credit: Arash Vakilzadeh/ Rouzbeh Fouladi

Hooman Balazadeh: Amir, I've known you since 1992. Your childhood passions for painting and music have remained with you throughout your career as an architect and journalist. What aspect of your background has had the most significant influence on your career path?

Amir Abbas Aboutalebi: Those were truly great times. Working with "Dr. Bahram Shirdel"¹ was pivotal in shaping my critical and innovative design perspectives. I first met him in 2002. In 2004, I ventured abroad to delve deeper into international architectural standards and practices in the Middle East countries, including the UAE, Pakistan, and Kuwait, as well as East Asia The following year, I had the opportunity to be interviewed by "Dr. Ken Yeang"² for a position in his office in Malaysia, which marked the beginning of my fascination with eco-design principles that would eventually form the foundation of AA Design Atelier.

HB: What is the DNA (approach) of AA Design Atelier?

AA: Upon returning back to Iran in 2008, I founded "AA Design Studio"³, which embodies an interdisciplinary approach that integrates culture, health, sensory experiences, ethics, and context-aware, human-centered design concepts.

HB: How did you secure your first commission at AA Atelier?

AA: "Sib Experimental Villa"⁴ marked the inaugural project I undertook as the principal architect in 2009. Situated in the semi-urban Absard district, 80 km from Tehran, the villa embodies a minimalist design reflecting the traditional Iranian central courtyard concept in a contemporary style. I secured the project by presenting a proposal that optimized the structural system, resulting in a 30% reduction in weight during a competitive selection process against another architecture consultant.

HB: What were the main challenges faced by Sib Experimental Villa?

AA: The primary challenge revolved around the water supply system. In the vicinity, nearly all 6,000 villa buildings were excavating approximately 120 to 180 meters to pump underground water not only for villa consumption but also for filling pools and planting unnecessary fruit trees and decorative plants, which disrupted the local ecosystem. The experimental villa Sib solution involved implementing an eco-friendly rainwater harvesting water supply system for the project. The villa incorporates two Ab-anbars (traditional underground water reservoirs) to store 20,000 liters, provided with a 20-minute local irrigation system share per week for both internal and external use. This system is communal, shared among families, and integrates horticulture, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Additionally, the villa reduces energy consumption by utilizing natural ventilation and a natural cooling system during the summer months. After 10 years, the experimentation of the water system has worked well without digging and damaging the earth. 

HB: Your next project at AA Design Studio was the "Kaveh Glass Head Office Building"⁵, an iconic project in north Tehran. Tell me about the client and the project idea.

AA: "Kaveh Glass Industry Group"⁶ oversees one of the largest and pioneering glass production and processing industries in the Middle East. The "Kaveh Petrochemical Complex"⁷, part of the Kaveh Industrial Group, is poised to become the biggest methanol producer in the world. Initially, the client was not seeking a commission, but I shared some ideas to address their needs and the project's challenges. One idea was presenting two structural cores to support all 16 floors, reducing the building's weight by 25% and eliminating 13 concrete columns to create expansive open spaces within the office zones. Another idea was enhancing energy efficiency by incorporating a central atrium and four buffer zones within the low-E glass facade, resulting in a 35% energy-saving potential compliant with Tehran's office building regulations. The CEO of the company, "Ebrahim Asgarian"⁸, was so impressed thatg he asked me to lead both the conceptual and subsequent phases of the project. At the beginning, we both knew that it was going to be an experimental project. 

HB: The Kaveh Glass Building, as published in several European magazines, is known for its innovative features and energy-saving approaches. Could you elaborate on some of the unique design elements that set this project apart from similar architectural structures?

AA: The creativity and possibilities in the design process were limited by strict framework conditions: light, color, and space. Natural light was considered essential for the design, as it ultimately brings the desired and necessary psychological comfort for the users. This emphasis on daylight instead of artificial light for health and energy savings is a common feature in many traditional Iranian houses. The entire architecture, no matter how simple it appears from the outside, is geared towards a passive design.

HB: Did you conduct any scientific research during the design phase?

AA: Of course, we conducted several research projects at the Kaveh Glass Laboratory in terms of natural light and airflow behaviors. The colored glass utilized in the Kaveh Glass Building is a low-E product developed by the Kaveh Group. Extensive experimentation was conducted on various sequences and arrangements. Questionnaires were distributed to both ordinary workers and experts within the company to finalize the color scheme. 

HB: Was there any scholarly or scientific research conducted after the completion of the project?

AA: Yes, recently, several science articles based on a quantitative research approach have been published in reputable journals Science Direct and Elsevier, analyzing the building model, such as "Daylight Optimization through Architectural Aspects in an Office Building Atrium in Tehran"⁹ and "Analysis of Daylight Metrics Based on the Daylight Autonomy (DLA) and Lux Illuminance in a Real Office Building Atrium in Tehran"¹⁰ by Iranian academic researchers, focused on this project. The client is very happy with the conclusions of this experimentation that we risked.

HB: Isn't it too much color for a building? The entire building is filled with colored glass. Is there any inspiration or historical reference behind that?

AA: Yes, the facade draws inspiration from the Pink Mosque (Nasir-Al-Molk Mosque) in Shiraz, Iran. Additionally, the colors of Persian carpets, specifically the Bakhtiari Gabbeh, bring life to architecture for me.

HB: Is there any specific fact or rationale resource behind its aesthetic sense?

AA: Historically, specific colors have been associated with healing properties in ancient cultures such as Persia, Egypt, Greece, China, and India. Scientifically, in the fourteenth century, John of Gaddesden in England advocated the use of red color to treat smallpox, wrapping patients in red cloth and using red window drapes to harness the healing qualities of color. Dr. Niels Ryberg Finsen's work in nineteenth-century Denmark further demonstrated the therapeutic potential of color and light, earning him a Nobel Prize in 1903 for his advancements in light therapy.

The principles outlined in Edwin D. Babbitt's book, "The Principles of Light and Color 1896," likely delve into how different lighting conditions and color palettes influence spatial perception, mood, and the overall well-being of individuals within architectural spaces. Kate Baldwin, MD, also notes that the use of color for healing has ancient origins, with native cultures recognizing the healing properties associated with different plant colors.

HB: The form of the building is extruded from a very simple rectangular shape, while various empty spaces (voids and buffer zones) are extracted within the inside box.

AA: The empty spaces of the project not only comply with design regulations but also create vertical "in-between spaces" that connect the working and public zones of the project.

HB: What do you mean "In-Between-Space"?

AA: I was heavily involved in spatial organization to fulfill the physical program by incorporating empty spaces within the glass box. Initially, I was not fully aware of the significance of "in-betweenness" during the design phase. However, I recently had the opportunity to interview Riichi Miyake¹¹, an Associate Professor at Tokyo University of Science, in Tehran. We discussed the importance and applications of the Japanese concept of "MA" in architectural design. During our conversation, he highlighted "In-Between Space" as a distinctive approach to architecture introduced by Arata Isozaki. This concept emerged from Isozaki's collaboration with Kenzo Tange and Louis Kahn during the first Architectural International Congress in Isfahan, Iran, in 1970.
In our comparative study of the Japanese "MA" and the notion of empty space, or "هیچ," in both traditional Iranian and Japanese architecture, we explored how "In-Between Space" reflects the intricate relationship between interior and exterior spaces within the morphology of traditional houses in central Iran.
"In-between spaces" can be perceived as an ideological spirit rather than a strictly typological concept. This idea embodies a dynamic and tacit understanding of architecture that provides insight into the classical dilemma between Western knowledge and Eastern wisdom.

HB: The interior is very interactive!  

AA: The interior geometry and form of the voids, atrium, skylight, and buffer zones draw inspiration from the traditional Tabriz Bazaar. The four buffer zones facilitate visual interactions around the voids and also serve to collect used air from the wings of each floor. These buffer zones are connected to the central atrium, which acts as a stack ventilation system to naturally exhaust used air outside the building. Additionally, the buffer zones provide 12-meter-high spaces for gathering and social interactions.

HB: Since completing the Kaveh Glass building in 2013, you have rarely taken on real projects from actual clients for almost 10 years.

AA: Over the past 10 years, I found myself dissatisfied with the projects that were coming to my office in Iran. I struggled to find clients who shared my vision and could elevate our design practices to a higher level. As a result, I turned to international competitions and architectural journalism in search of better opportunities and to pave my own path.

HB: Your latest project is an off-grid built prototype in Damavand. Is it again an experimental project?

AA: Absolutely, this is an experimental project that was born out of a theoretical research program conducted by AA Design Atelier at the Sheikh Bahaei Research Institute, with support from Mazandaran University and UNESCO's United Nations National Commission in Iran¹³. The aim of the research program was to address the conflict between the environmental hazards posed by villas in Iran and the human need for retreat and escape from city life.

HB: Who is the client, and what does he expect to build such a tiny project in a faraway land?

AA: I invested in this off grid experimental project. Despite the very tiny scale of the project, I expect a huge impact on the villa industry in Iran. The mass building as small as possible while the natural environment as wide as possible, incorporating lessons and wisdoms from the past and from vernacular architecture. Maybe smaller, smarter.

HB: Interesting! Tell me more about this project?

AA: The Villa Farm prototype or the" A frame experimental cabins"¹⁴ is situated in Tamisian, within the Tehran province of Damavand country, Iran. Nestled at an elevation of 1580 meters, this project encompasses a site area of 350 sq.m overlooking the valley, positioned 90 meters above the main river that originates from Iran's highest peak, Mount Damavand, towering at 5760 meters.
The Tamisian off-grid prototype is a farm-villa that seamlessly integrates into its natural surroundings. By utilizing passive energy systems and rainwater harvesting, the villa minimizes its ecological footprint.
One of the key objectives of this project is to improve people's psychological well-being. The off-grid villa provides a serene sanctuary where individuals can reconnect with nature and find solace away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. By immersing themselves in natural elements, residents can experience a sense of tranquility that positively impacts their mental health.

HB: What are the key design principles of this Experimental Villa Farm off-grid prototype?

AA: The key design principles consider the following factors:

A - Minimum construction intervention to the site
B - Natural cooling during hot days
C - Natural heating and saving energy during cold days
D - Natural lighting
E - Natural ventilation
F - Using vernacular construction techniques
G - Local irrigation water supply
H - Gardening and plantation
I - Visual experiences in strong dialogue with nature

HB: What upcoming projects are you interested in, and how do you foresee architectural trends evolving, especially regarding eco-friendly design and vernacular-inspired architecture?

AA: I am primarily focused on projects that align with eco-design principles, as I believe they are crucial for the future of architecture. Additionally, I am mentoring several startups: Villook¹⁵ officially established in Norway; a vibrant network dedicated to enhancing the villa community. Villa Property¹⁶: Aiming to drive significant advancements in architectural practices within the villa industry. Villa Academy¹⁷: A private design school located in Tehran, fostering new talent in the field.
Additionally, I am passionate about developing two major initiatives: International Villa Magazine¹⁸: A publication that will share insights and trends within the villa sector. International Villa Award¹⁹: An upcoming recognition program for excellence in villa design and architecture.

HB: Thank you for this interview. 

 

REFERENCES:

1- Bahram Shirdel 
2- KEN YEANG – TR Hamzah Yeang Sdn Bhd
3- AA Design Studio | Amir Abbas Aboutalebi
4- Experimental Villa Sib - AA Design Studio | Amir Abbas Aboutalebi
5- Kaveh Glass Head Office Building - architektur-online : architektur-online
6- Flat Glass - Kaveh glass industrial group
7- Petrokaveh – WELCOME TO PETRO KAVEH GROUP
8- www.bloomberg.com
9- Daylight optimization through architectural aspects in an office building atrium in Tehran - ScienceDirect
10- Analysis of daylight metrics based on the daylight autonomy (DLA) and lux illuminance in a real office building atrium in Tehran - ScienceDirect
11- Riichi Miyake (villanews.ir)
12- MA Exhibition 2023 (villanews.ir)
13- Villa Farm Prototype (villanews.ir)
14- Experimental Cabin - AA Design Studio | Amir Abbas Aboutalebi
15- Villook - Home
16- Villa Property
17- Villa Academy 
18- International Villa Magazine 
19- International Villa Award