olgooco tops its underground 'inside home' with rooftop gardens

olgooco combats urban density in iran

Iranian architecture office Olgooco redefines the concept of urban living with its subterranean Inside Home. The project is designed to address the prevalence of unauthorized development, a pressing issue faced by architects and urban planners. Such developments have disrupted the traditional suburban fabric, giving rise to crowded apartment complexes, the erasure of gardens, and a rising cost of living. The newly constructed dwelling proposes a unique solution to these challenges, reintroducing both privacy and a landscaped rooftop in a neighborhood that was once known for its serene gardens.

images © Deed Studio

inside home: three caves infused with nature

The architects at Olgooco complete the Inside Home as an architectural intervention within Ammameh, a suburban neighborhood of Iran. The project seeks to offer residents an alternative form of communal living that rekindles their connection with the natural environment, often neglected in urban environments. To this end, the design team has carved out three distinct 70-square-meter caverns around a central void to serve as the heart of this unique house. The first cave-like space houses the bedrooms, the second is designed for communal living spaces, while the third shelters a swimming pool and utility area. This layout encourages occupants to encounter nature as they move between each area. Thus, each section is an independent, self-contained experience, infused with the surrounding landscape.

Olgooco addresses the challenge of unauthorized development, redefining privacy in Iranian suburbs

contrasting shared and personal spaces

A distinct contrast between the Inside Home’s main programming defines the duality of the design by Olgooco. A communal building, which houses the shared spaces, serves to maximize sunlight and low, horizontal views. Meanwhile, bedrooms are situated on the opposite side of the courtyard within a building that intentionally restricts sunlight. This distinction separates shared and personal areas, fostering a heightened sense of privacy in the bedrooms.

the design features three distinct cave-like structures, each integrated with the natural environment
a wide porch leads to an inner courtyard designed to frame views of the neighboring village through the trees
occupants are reconnected with the essence of collective living and the tranquility of nature