University of Sistan & Baluchestan Restaurant in Iran by New Wave Architecture

University of Sistan & Baluchestan Restaurant in Iran by New Wave Architecture

Article source: New Wave Architecture

Zahedan is a city in southeastern Iran and the capital of the Sistan and Baluchestan Province, 1,352 meters above sea level .70 years ago it was only a small village named “Douzdab”.It is located in hot-dry region of Iran.

?Architects: New Wave Architecture (Lida Almassian, Shahin Heidari)

?Project: University Of Sistan & Baluchestan Restaurant

?Location: Zahedan-Sistan & Baluchestan Province

?Design Time: 2007

?Completion Time: 2010

?Gross Floor Area: 3000m2

?Client: University Sistan & Baluchestan

?Design team: Fatemeh Mohammadi- Sara Farahani – Alireza Kamrani-Navid Ghasemzadeh -Helaleh

There is a harsh eco-social and cultural situation in Zahedan and people have been challenged by austere circumstances like, poverty, terrorism, violence and ethnical discrimination. Subsequently, it holds the first place in the number of illiterates and lack of access to education, particularly for women. Moreover, it has always been known with “privation.” This deprivation including poverty is visible in different indicators. For example, more than 25 percent of the 2 million population of the province are serviced by relief agencies.

Insecurity and being a site for terrorist attacks while it is the main gate of drugs smuggling from eastern borders of Iran, lead this territory to have the lowest human development index in the country.

The dominant religion practiced in the area is Islam (Sunni-Shia), which is associated with civil unrest, gender-specific beliefs and customs issues of gender inequality; traditional attitude; and marriage customs. In fact, women here are not just disadvantaged by lack of education. Old traditions mean that many of them face the prospect of early marriage.

PROJECT, OBSTACLES AND RESPONSES

We -as designers- encountered a special theme which was associated with social restrictions and codes. The project should not have loomed in the site while approaching a simple and unique form with a calm presence and concerning of students and academics were our main objectives. We were obliged to divide the space into two parts in observance of ethnical rules and mandatory governmental criteria. This project should have woven two objects subtly and illustrated a new perspective in minds. The project should have been adapted to dry and hot climate conditions and provided a pleasant architectural space simultaneously.

ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

 “A white statue floating on the water”