APARAT headquarters receives brick clad office makeover by QASTIC studio in tehran

the initial concept of QASTIC’s APARAT headquarters in tehran (known as the YouTube of iran), was established by two fundamental questions: first, the architects analyzed how they can redefine and create an open space that fosters a conductive collaboration between employees within an existing building. secondly, they explored the creation of sub spaces for independently operating offices, which can take advantage of potential interactions through a series of interconnected common areas within the office environment. 

the staircase acts a as a semi-amphitheater

QASTIC‘s idea of constructing a building within a building is achieved by expanding the gap between corridors and offices. by exploring and expanding this gap, the design and construction of the bridges, the double height voids and planters brings a dynamic double height effect to APARAT’s space. as a result of the transparency created by the voids, conversations between employees on upper and lower floors happen with greater efficiency during the working hours. the glass walls provide opportunities for all 75 work stations to take advantage of natural light and circulation across the entire 600 sqm, two story space.

the ‘event’ space

the orthogonal geometry of office layout is interrupted by a celebratory event that occurs at the center of the office — the event is the main central stairs that not only operates as a vertical travel element between floors, but also as an interior semi-theater with seating that allows employees to gather, socialize, and on occasion watch projected videos. draped over two steel beams, the stair structure provides a defined and semi-transparent space for a cafe, located at the underground level. using 30 x 5 cm brick tiling, the framework links the main entrance through its half vertical and horizontal staircase, seamlessly connecting the entry until the last wall of the second floor.

aparat by qastic
video © qastic

reflecting le corbusier’s modular drawing of human stature and proportion, the stair meticulously proposes a variety of ergonomic functions and usages like sitting, seating, standing, leaning and squatting. this steel structure applies the technology of plasma cutting for creating 5 mm thick steel risers. incorporating the curvatures of these risers, 5 mm steels strips of tread are placed over the curvature of risers creating a coherent structural steel surface. by intersecting the two main beams, the risers transfer loads from a high traffic space that may be used for daily inter-floor communication, as well as 50-70 people gathering, presentation, or full office meetings.

an overview of both levels

the interior uses various architectural elements

a brick clad section of the office

the office corridors

the human scale vs. the architectural context

the multifunctional staircase

stair construction process

sectional perspective 

exploded axonometric view

preliminary office plans

project info:

project name: aparat
architecture firm: qastic
completion year: 2016
built area: 600 sqm
project location: modarres blvd, tehran, iran
photographer: deed studio
client: aparat video sharing services
design team: mahdi alibakhshian, reza zia, alireza shakouri, maryam laleh, amirali alibakhshian, connor van cleave, ali sasanian, soroush sasanian
project local design coordinator & contractor: alireza shakouri moghadam
design consultants: nathaniel hadley – mohamadreza mojahedi
structural engineering: dr. amirhossein raeeszadeh
local steel fabricator: azmayesh spiral industry – hokmabadi cutting
local wood fabricator: habibi carpenters

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynn chaya | designboom