MRAA studio

WORKS

My Works
FARMANIYEH TOWER

FARMANIYEH TOWER

FARMANIYEH TOWER
BAZARGAN TWINS

BAZARGAN TWINS

BAZARGAN TWINS
NEW GALA HOTEL

NEW GALA HOTEL

NEW GALA HOTEL
BAZARGAN ITC (International Trade Center)

BAZARGAN ITC (International Trade Center)

BAZARGAN ITC (International Trade Center)

Works

2023
Mraastudio

BAZARGAN ITC (International Trade Center)

Public Plaza, Trading Center, Commercial Units, Food Court, Public Parking, etc.

Area: 23000 m2

Floors: 5 Underground Floors with a Public Plaza on Ground Floor

Where: Bazargan, Iran

This project is located in Iran, in the city of BAZARGAN, directly across from the entrance gate of the Turkey border customs. The area has faced significant challenges in recent years due to the growth of cross-border business and trade. The roadside parking has become a major problem for the city, Furthermore, the presence of low-quality commercial (mainly currency exchange and trading) and service units nearby has contributed to considerable visual and behavioral chaos and disorder. In response to this situation, the project is designed and planned to address three main needs:

Organizing Urban Parking

Arranging Currency Exchange Units

Creating a Public Plaza

This complex is located on a plot of approximately 4,700 square meters, at the site of the former customs roundabout. The ground level is designed with the approach of creating an urban plaza, serving as a behavioral hub and the primary platform for trade, alongside its service-oriented functions such as restaurants and a musical fountain, inspired by contemporary Iranian architecture. Special attention has been given to the axis alignment towards the natural landscape of the Ararat mountains and pedestrian pathways.

2019
Mraastudio

NEW GALA HOTEL

  • RESIDENCY BUILDING

Hotel, Restaurant, Pool, etc.

Floors: 14 Floors, 1 Floor Under the Ground, 13 Floors On the Ground

Where: Bazargan, Iran

When: 2019

Status: Built

The design of the New Gala Hotel in Bazargan presented one of the most challenging architectural projects. Located near the city’s customs office and on the eastern side of the former Customs Square (now the site of the Bazargan International Trade Center), the project faced significant hurdles due to its existing structure. The building’s framework, previously constructed based on another design, featured concrete slabs with numerous angled edges on the main facade, creating visual discomfort for viewers at first glance. The redesign needed to address not only the facade but also significant alterations to the floor plans.

Situated in a rapidly developing area destined to become a key economic and tourist hub, the design had to align with the region’s future growth potential. The new vision for the hotel prioritized elegance and functionality, with an emphasis on creating a distinctive landmark.

In the volumetric design of this project, the primary goal was to simplify and refine the form to eliminate the awkward angles of the original plan. This was achieved by combining three interlocking cubes, each distinctly defined by its material and role within the overall composition.

The lowest cube, rotated slightly in relation to the others, not only added a dynamic aesthetic but also effectively highlighted and framed the building's entrance. This thoughtful rotation introduced both visual appeal and functional clarity, ensuring that the entrance became an inviting focal point for visitors.

2023
Mraastudio

BAZARGAN TWINS

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL BUILDING

Commercial Units, F&B, Administrative Units, Hotel, Parking, etc.

Area: 16750 m2

Floors: 21 Floors, 4 Floors Under the Ground, 17 Floors On the Ground

Where: Bazargan, Iran

When: 2023

Status: Initial Concept

The Bazargan Twin Towers are located on a rectangular plot of 1,000 square meters, adjacent to the under-construction BAZARGAN ITC and near the customs gate. The site offers direct access to the main streets from both the north and south, though no public passage connects these streets within the surrounding area. Given the development potential and the growing demand for high-quality office spaces, accommodation units, and commercial areas in this evolving and tourist-attracting zone, the municipality approved the land use for a 15-story mixed-use development with office and hotel functions.

The early zoning plan introduced an internal passage between the northern and southern streets, which separated the two main towers at the ground floor level. However, these towers were still connected via the basement levels and a glass bridge on the first commercial floor, which spans over the passageway. The southern tower was designated for office use, while the northern tower was allocated for the hotel. The ground and first basement floors were reserved for commercial use.

2019
Mraastudio

FARMANIYEH TOWER

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL BUILDING

Plaza, Shopping Center, Food Court, Administrative Units, Parking, etc.

Area: 106000 m2

Floors: 34 Floors, 11 Floors Under the Ground, 23 Floors On the Ground

Where: Tehran, Iran

When: 2019

Status: Construction Halt

The Farmanieh Project is located along one of the vibrant and dynamic streets in northern Tehran, an area bustling with numerous malls either built or under construction. As a result, the project had to compete with its rivals in terms of land use, facilities, spatial quality, architectural concept, and service offerings to customers. The project began with a thorough site analysis, generating initial diagrams based on zoning, access points, and horizontal and vertical connections.

Due to the shape and location of the land, as well as existing access routes, the project’s plaza was positioned on the northern side of the site. This allowed for the design of the central entrance and void at the heart of the project, providing access to both the commercial areas and the food court. Given shadow projections and municipal regulations, the administrative tower was placed in the southern section, with its access oriented toward the southern street.

2018
Mraastudio

TEHRAN ART MALL

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL BUILDING

Commercial Units, Art Center, F&B, Recreational, Parking, etc.

Area: 65000 m2

Floors: 18 Floors, 7 Floors Under the Ground, 11 Floors On the Ground

Where: Tehran, Iran

When: 2018

Status: Construction Halt

The "Tehran Eye" project was one of the most prominent and renowned competitions in District 1 of Tehran, drawing the attention of many architects. This competition aimed to redesign an already existing structure, addressing the new needs of the client. The building, a 10-story structure, was originally constructed with the idea of placing a 40-meter Ferris wheel on the roof as a central attraction. The initial concept and layout were intended to serve commercial, dining, and entertainment purposes. However, after several years of inactivity, a comprehensive reevaluation of the building’s usage was required.

Additionally, the Ferris wheel, which was originally planned for the roof, was no longer a priority for the client, and we were tasked with finding a more appealing concept to replace it.

Instead of extending the building vertically, we drew inspiration from traditional Persian gardens, particularly the concept of the "Chahar Bagh" (four-part garden) with a central, inward-facing courtyard.

Our design team, based on studies conducted during the competition, concluded that in order for the "Tehran Eye" project to stand out among the numerous commercial developments in the area, it needed to incorporate artistic and cultural spaces in addition to the retail ones. This decision was crucial because the district already had a significant number of commercial complexes either under construction or in operation. The winning strategy for the project was to highlight its cultural and artistic components, which led us to change its name to "Tehran Art Mall.”

2022
Mraastudio

NAKHJIR RESTAURANT

Restaurant, Café

Area: 300 m2

Floors: 3 Floors On the Ground

Where: Lahijan, Iran

When: 2022

Status: Under Construction

The "Nakhjir" project is located near the village of the same name in the city of Lahijan, in northern Iran. Three major challenges influenced the design of this project: the pre-constructed structure based on pre-designed plans, the irregular shape of the land, and the proximity to the village cemetery.

The initial concept was inspired by the traditional Iranian architecture of the region, where elements like brickwork, glazed tiles, turquoise (a historically significant Iranian color), and expansive terraces are prominent. Additionally, the prime location of the site, with its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests, became the foundation for the project's initial sketches.

2018
Mraastudio

IRAN ZAMIN COMPLEX

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

Commercial Units, Residential, etc.

Area: 95000 m2

Floors: 38 Floors, 7 Floors Under the Ground, 32 Floors On the Ground

Where: Tehran, Iran

When: 2018

Status: Concept Design

The Iran Zamin Luxury Residential Project, located in the Iran Zamin Street of Tehran's Shahrak-e Gharb district, stands as one of the city’s large-scale residential developments, offering an array of premium amenities.

Designed with pure and modern volumetrics, the project emphasizes functional layouts and optimized spaces, aiming to create a human-centered living environment. The thoughtful combination of simplicity in form and practicality in planning ensures a harmonious blend of modern aesthetics and user comfort, catering to the needs of contemporary urban lifestyles.

2018
Mraastudio

BUILDING FOR TURKMEN

Research, Design

Role: Researcher, Designer

Where: Turkmen Sahra Region, Iran

When: 2024

Status: Under Developing

The Turkmen, a Central Asian ethnic group, are primarily found in Turkmenistan and neighboring regions like Iran, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. Their culture reflects a blend of nomadic heritage, Islamic traditions, and regional influences.

Turkmen cuisine, music, and festivals, such as Novruz, showcase their rich traditions, with music played on the dutar and expressive dances marking celebratory occasions. Despite modern influences, their cultural practices remain deeply rooted in their heritage.

Turkmen were nomadic herders, living in portable yurts and maintaining a tribal social structure. They are renowned for their vibrant rugs, characterized by geometric patterns and traditional motifs, which symbolize tribal histories and regional identities.

Turkmen architecture spans from the practical, mobile yurts of their nomadic past to the grand, marble-clad buildings of modern Ashgabat.

Traditional Turkmen geometric patterns often influence architectural design, connecting the past with the present and showcasing a harmonious integration of cultural heritage and modernity.

MATT RAHIMI

I am an Architect, and I believe:
…Every architectural project, as a creation of the present, carries within it a fragment of our past, destined to shape the future.
Architects possess a unique opportunity to craft meaningful masterpieces by weaving together technical expertise, artistic expression, and visionary concepts. Yet, without a robust foundation in theoretical frameworks and intellectual inquiry, such efforts risk becoming ephemeral—mere imitations devoid of lasting significance.

Architecture must transcend the confines of functionality and aesthetic allure. It should aspire to create enduring legacies that resonate deeply with society, grounded in cultural awareness and thoughtful theoretical principles. By harmonizing innovation with an understanding of history, context, and human needs, we can design spaces that transcend the temporal, enriching both the physical landscape and the collective human experience.

Contact

Get in Touch

Contact

Phone: +16072358185

Email:

info@mraastudio.com

Matt.RHMD@gmail.com

 

Based on

NEW YORK, NY, USA

TEHRAN, IRN

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